Wolf River

Wisconsin's Wolf River, one of the last wild waterways in the Midwest, is part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. With headwaters in northeastern Wisconsin, it follows a meandering course of 223 miles entering Lake Poygan, Lake Butte des Morts and Lake Winnebago eventually flowing in to the waters of Green Bay.

The upper Wolf River has high granite walls with rapids and waterfalls. Whitewater enthusiasts canoe, kayak, and raft the river throughout the spring and summer. As the river works its way south it transitions in to a wider deeper waterway suitable for calm water boating.

With abundant brown, brook, and rainbow trout populations, the Wolf is one of the best trout fishing rivers in the entire state. World famous for its spring walleye run when walleye migrate up-stream towards traditional spawning grounds, walleye fishing on the Wolf River is excellent year round. The Wolf River is also essential spawning habitat for the white bass and sturgeon of the Lake Winnebago system.

Many species of wildlife depend on habitats provided by the Wolf River, including bald eagles and osprey. Wisconsin has designated the river an Outstanding Resource Water managing more than 50,000 acres of public conservation and recreation lands in the basin, including natural areas, state parks, fisheries access areas and wildlife management areas.

One of the most scenic and rugged rivers in the Midwest, with excellent water quality and world-class fisheries, the Wolf River has retained its scenic beauty with no substantial development on its shores and adjacent lands.

The 15,000-acre Navarino Wildlife Area south of Shawano includes 7,000 acres of forest habitat, 1,000 acres of restored prairie, 3,900 acres of bush swamp and 2,000 acres of marsh habitat. Water management controls 15 flowages that flood 1,415 acres mostly between the Wolf River and Shioctin River.

The Navarino Nature Center offers educational and recreational programs such as Fall color canoeing, wagon rides, Autumn crafts, candle dipping, apple cider pressing, dry flower arranging, snowshoe making, winter tracking & snowshoeing.

Hiking, Skiing, and Snowshoeing - 56 miles of trails; 12 miles are groomed for cross-country skiing during the winter months. Snowshoe rentals.

Picnicking - Large area with open-air shelter house, fire ring, tables, and playground equipment.

Fishing - Access to Wolf River off of Hwy. 156.

Boating / Canoeing - Wolf River and Wildlife area flowages (canoes only)

Hunting - Whitetail deer, Ruffed grouse, Wood cock, Squirrel, Snowshoe hares and cottontail rabbits, Canada geese, Turkeys and pheasants.

Wildlife viewing - Registered as a Wisconsin Wildlife Viewing Area; many types of native wildlife can be observed both from your vehicle and by foot. Deer, turkey, Sandhill cranes, Canada geese, mallards, wood ducks, muskrats, otters, black terns, American bitterns, Blanding's turtle, yellow-headed black birds, ruffed grouse, pheasants, several species of wood peckers, and more.