Pike River

Though not as popular as the nearby Peshtigo and Wolf Rivers, the Pike River below Amberg features similar characteristics. The river flows through scenic pine and hardwood forests with several stretches of riffles, low-hazard rapids, and scenic rock formations. The Pike is protected by the Wisconsin Wild Rivers Act of 1965, which has greatly restricted riverside development.

The first six miles, from the Highway 141 bridge in Amberg to Highway K, is mostly flatwater with periodic riffles and class I rapids. The exception is Bull Falls, a fun class II about a half mile below Highway 141 in a gorgeous dalles setting (Bull Falls should be portaged by less-experienced paddlers).

The river, and the scenery, become more rugged below County K, and paddlers will begin to encounter more frequent whitewater including a pair of solid class II's. First is Scrounge Canyon, where paddlers will find fun waves, holes, and short drops in a scenic, narrow dells. You can bomb the 'Canyon' or take your time and play for awhile. Scrounge Canyon features the most challenging and scenic rapids in this segment. The second class II is Horseshoe Falls, another fun rapid that is much shorter. Both should be scouted. Take-out at the Yellow Bridge Landing.

In anglers terms, the Pike is a ‘freestone’ river, where flow and water volume is largely dependent on rainfall and snowmelt and less on spring fed creeks, so river levels can fluctuate quite a bit. However, the river does have a deeper stream bed than most rivers of similar size so fluctuating levels will mostly affect the character and runnability of the rapids.

Speaking of anglers, the Pike is considered by many to be one of the better trout streams in northern Wisconsin. The river is home to Rainbow, Brown, and Brook Trout. Cast a fly, nymph, or streamer in any of the pools below one the many riffles, rapids, or small waterfalls.

Other fun area attractions include Dave's Falls County Park in Amberg and the Pike River/4 Seasons Club Loop Bicycle Trail.

Yellow Bridge Falls

Experienced whitewater canoers and kayakers should consider the class III short-run (0.2 mile) of Yellow Bridge Falls and Rapids. Put-in at the Yellow Bridge Landing (see map, mile 4.8) on Pike River Road and takeout at the Pike River Road Access just south of the Barker Road intersection. The falls and rapids are bony and dangerous in lower flows, but when river levels are medium to high runnable (see chart below), the first fifty yards below the bridge provide an awesome whitewater experience!

Marinette County Campgrounds

There are a pair of beautiful Marinette County Park Campgrounds on the Peshtigo River that are within a 40-minute drive of Amberg at Goodman Park* and McClintock Park*. Both have scenic day-use areas with trails and footbridges over the Peshtigo, a well-known whitewater river. There are reservable sites at both campgrounds.

You may reserve a campsite at both camprounds by visiting the Marinette County Parks Reservation website.

Camp in a State Park or Forest

Governor Thompson State Park and the Peshtigo River State Forest are both less than a 45-minute drive from Amberg. Governor Thompson State Park has 2,800 acres of forest and lakes, and six miles of undeveloped shoreline on the Peshtigo River's Caldron Falls Flowage. The park also features over 16 miles of hiking trails and a family campground with 106 campsites in a scenic wooded setting. 103 campsites are reservable.

The Peshtigo River State Forest is Wisconsin’s newest state forest and features over 12,000 acres of beautiful forests and scenic waters. The Old Veteran's Lake family campground sits in an hardwood forest next to a small lake and offers sixteen campsites. Twelve are reservable during the summer.

Season

The Pike has a deeper streambed than most small rivers, which makes it more consistently navigable. However, the rapids below County K can be too shallow to navigate when river levels are low.

River Level Information

The river gauge referenced below is located one mile upstream from the Highway 141 put-in and should provide an accurate indication of current conditions in this reach.

River Gauge Location: USGS Gauge at Amberg, County Highway V Bridge
Suggested Minimum Level: 2.9 feet
USGS Website: 04066500

Estimated Difficulty at Gauge Flow