Tourism Reports

Winter & all-season ATV Recreational Trails Report (4/24/08)

Snowmobile and Winter ATV Trails- The winter recreational trails under the management of the Douglas County Forestry Department are closed for the season as of Monday March 31, 2008 at 12:01 a.m. 

The all-season ATV/recreational trails under the management of the Douglas County Forestry Department are temporarily closed at this time with the exception of the following.

As in the past, we will leave the following all-season trails open:

1. Gandy Dancer Trail – MN/WI Stateline to Patzau
2. Saunders Grade – MN/WI Stateline to Schallameir Road parking lot
3. Wild Rivers Trail – Douglas Co./Washburn Co. line to County Highway “Y”
4. Wild Rivers Trail – North Trailhead parking lot (CTH “A”) to the Harroun Road

The remainder of all-season trails will re-open as soon as conditions safely allow.

**Please beware of any deadfalls and/or washouts that may occur especially during the spring.

The 2007-2008 Snowmobile and Winter ATV  or 2007-2008 Summer ATV map is available by calling 715-392-2773 or 800-942-5313, or emailing vacation@superiorchamber.org.  Out of state trail passes are $18.00, and are good for 1 year from June through the following June. They are available most places that fishing licenses are sold.

At this time a detailed recording of updated trail closures/openings can be heard by calling (715)-378-4528.  Please contact the Douglas County Forestry Dept. at (715) 378-2219 Monday through Friday between 8am and 4:30pm with questions or for additional information.

Having snowshoeing or cross-country skiing withdrawals?  Take a hike on the North Country Trail.  The North Country Trail is a trail that stretches from New York to North Dakota.  The Brule River State Forest contains a 20-mile stretch of this route.  Our stretch of the trail crosses through the Brule Bog, the Pine Barrens, and upland hardwoods, providing a variety of habitats to hike through.  For more information and maps, visit www.northcountrytrail.org

We hope you continue to enjoy our beautiful outdoors throughout the seasons.  And of course check back here for winter recreation updates as we get closer to the 2008-09 season.

Winter Road Conditions

Road Construction

Smelt Report (updated 5/7/08)

It looks as though the Smelt Run for 2008 is about over.  You may still find a few stragglers if you want to try your luck in the next couple of days.  There were varied reports throughout this short season-I have heard of people getting anywhere from “7 smelt” to “more than they’ve caught in 5 or 6 years”.  It had been reported the smelt ran pretty good off of Minnesota Point and Wisconsin Point this year. 

As with nature, the “run” is really undefined but typically the smelt run between the end of April and the beginning of May. They can be found along the shores of Lake Superior and in the many rivers that flow into it.

Catching smelt is a mix of timing, patience, and a little luck.  So next spring get your nets and waders ready to try your luck at another unique opportunity our beautiful area has to offer. 

Information can also be found by contacting  the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Superior office- for rules, regulations and licensing information, 715-392-7988, www.dnr.state.wi.us.

A SPECIAL EVENTS calendar is available: 800-942-5313, www.superiorchamber.org

 
 

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