Canoe & Small Kayak Paddling
Summer Solstice Bear River Paddling
S4
The Bear is a shallow, slow, meandering river that is quite wild and beautiful. While the Bear possesses no rapids and coils and turns 
for only about 18 miles until it flows into the Manitowish River, the Bear served as one of the main fur trade arteries for the French Voyageurs for several hundred years, very likely serving Native Americans for thousands of years prior to that. We’ll explore the cultural and the natural history of the Bear starting from a tiny dam that raises water levels on the Flambeau chain of lakes. This long trip concludes with a half hour of paddling through a very large and dense stand of wild rice. There is no development whatsoever on this portion of the river and the river almost certainly looks just like it has for hundreds of years. 60 807 69500
John Bates/Bob Knops
Friday, June 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fee: $28 Class #10363
Fee: $38 w/Kayak Rental Class #10364
Gile Flowage Paddle
S4
Located just south of Hurley in northern Iron County, the 3,384-acre Gile Flowage is largely undeveloped with 26 miles of shoreline characterized by numerous protected bays and large outcroppings of exposed bedrock. The flowage was created in 1940 by damming the West Fork of the Montreal River, leaving several islands that add to the flowage’s wild feel. We’ll explore portions of the shoreline and many of the bays, stopping occasionally to discuss the natural and cultural history of the area. The famous fur trade era Flambeau Trail once passed directly through the area where the flowage is now. 60 807 69500
John Bates/Dan Clausen
Wednesday, July 9, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fee: $28 Class #10367
Fee: $48 w/Kayak Rental Class #10368
Northern River Series: Manitowish River Paddle
S4
The Manitowish River flows rather quietly for 42 miles from High Lake to the Flambeau Flowage. The river served as a major fur trade route for the French Voyageurs, and archeologists have found Native American sites on the Manitowish chain of lakes that date back 8,000 years. Portions of the river are designated by the WDNR as an exceptional water resource. We’ll paddle the section that is rated as having the highest quality, and that also flows through the Manitowish River Wilderness Area. This long, meandering trip from Highway 47 to the Flambeau Flowage offers great wilderness values on all quiet water. We’ll paddle at a moderate pace, stopping occasionally to discuss various ecological features of the river and its cultural history. 60 807 65200
John Bates/Scott Bradley
Friday, July 25, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fee: $28 Class #10339
Fee: $38 w/Canoe Rental Class #10340
Canoe Camping On the Flambeau
S3
The historic Flambeau River will serve as the classroom for this class which will focus on all aspects necessary for a fun and efficient canoe camping experience. Each day participants will paddle a relatively short stretch of river, leaving plenty of time in camp on the banks of the Flambeau to learn about the finer points of canoe camping. This will include what to look for in a good camp site, how to deal with the elements such as rain and bugs, selecting the right equipment, and general logistics for setting and breaking camp. 60 807 65200
Mickey Wurl-Koth/Bob Knops/ Scott Bradley
Saturday & Sunday, July 12 & 13 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday, ending around 4 p.m. Sunday
Fee: $70 Class #10334
Fee: $90 w/Rental Class #10335
Paddle to the Lake, Hike to the Falls
S4
A scenic hike to a waterfall will be the bonus mixed into this weekend of whitewater canoeing. We’ll start out on a short stretch of the South Fork of the Flambeau, providing instruction for handling
the whitewater with finesse. Then we head north toward Sunday’s river, the Bois Brule. Enroute we’ll stop to stretch our legs and view a lovely waterfall. Sunday’s treat is a lovely, entertaining float trip, ending at a beach on Lake Superior. Car camping is available on Saturday night. 60 807 65209
Shane Tulowitzki/Ruth Jaeger
Saturday & Sunday, June 7 & 8 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. both days
Fee: $85 Class #10341
Fee: $115 w/Rental Class #10342
The Paddle Feast on the Willow Flowage
S3
After more than a decade of outdoor adventures, our staff always seems to be comparing notes regarding the backcountry chefs among us. This season we are going to have the rare opportunity to paddle to an island and savor their favorite dishes. The unique personality of each chef will be reflected in their backcountry cooking style. Each will also come with a few of their favorite recipes and what they feel are their top ten cooking tips. Sorry, rentals are not available for this Outdoor Adventure so please come prepared to paddle a canoe or kayak to an island where you will wonder what in the Northwoods is cooking! 60 807 69500
Mickey Wurl-Koth/Scott Bradley/ Bill Peshel/Dan Clausen/ Martha Schouweiler
Friday, August 29, Noon - 6 p.m.
Willow Flowage
Fee: $45 Class #20397
Wild Rice Gathering and Processing
S3
The Ojibwa call it Ma-no’min; you know it as wild rice. This one-day course will introduce you to the activity if gathering and processing this wonderful Northwoods resource. Our harvest methods will not differ too much from those traditionally used. The bulk of our time will be spent in our canoes gathering rice. A shore lunch that includes wild rice will be provided. Discussion of different processing methods will round out our afternoon. Participants can expect to have rice in their 
pantries after this course! It will surely be one of the more appreciated dishes you’ll enjoy this fall. Students will need to purchase a Wisconsin DNR harvesting permit (last year’s price: $8.25) – NOTE: Only Wisconsin residents may gather rice. 60 807 65200
Wil Losch/Kirby Kohler
Saturday, August 30, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. ,McNaughton Area
Fee: $28 Class #20395
Fee: $38 w/Rental Class #20396