Chippewa Flowage vs. Turtle Flambeau Flowage

I am planing a fishing week in mid June and am considering both the Chippewa Flowage and the Turtle Flambeau Flowage. We spent a week last year near Boulder Junction and enjoyed that. I want to target walleye, smallies and northern. Are there factors involved in the decision that I should consider? Do forum folks have opinions to share? I am new to this area and want to experience good fishing. I will likely hire a guide on our first day there. I will either pull my 14' Jon boat w/8 hp motor or rent one with our rental cabin. So, I can't really go on big water but want to have fun catching fish and learning a new area. Any help is appreciated.

coosabass2011, Have been seeing a lot of Kayaks on the Chip the last 5 years. Lots of back water stuff to enjoy and fish. Lots of places you can not get a boat to that you could in a kayak. Two Boys, Crystal Lake and Sunfish creek just to name a few.

rancocrich Hi I think we have talked before the 8hp motor and john boat sounds familiar, laugh. I think AD gives you some very good points. I'll Add the following: The past couple seasons I have guided a number of people who previously fished the chip and wanted to try the TFF. Some had been disappointed with the walleye fishing on the chip in recent years. They were happy with the walleye fishery on the TFF. There has been a big increase in the number of largemouth bass on the chip which research concludes the two don't coexist well. Some fisherman love the action of largemouth fishing, depends on your preference. The TFF does have one of the best smallmouth fisheries in Wisconsin. How could you go wrong with either they are both treasures to Wisconsin. Thanks Jeff

I spend a lot of time on the TFF and a fair amount on the Chip, targeting muskies and pannies on the Chip and everything on the TFF. A few observations: The TFF is by far a better smallmouth fishery, and a slightly better walleye fishery. The size of pannies in the TFF is better, numbers are better in the Chip. Both waters are PURDY!! But the TFF is more hazardous than the Chip. Also less crowded. Both demand patience, but more so on the TFF. Bring lots of jigs or go snagless. Chip is great place for young kids, TFF is better for older more adventurous types.

Great reading. I'm happy you asked a great question to get it started. I'm familiar with TFF from two trips, one fall (upper end) and one early summer (west of the dam), and haven't had much luck finding fish. It's a beautiful area but I fish out of a kayak and have had difficulty with the big water and limited number of access points. Anyone have thoughts about how the Chippewa compares to TFF for kayak fishing? My preferences are, in order, pike, LMB, SMB, Walleye, Crappie, 'gills. Thanks in advance!

I have never been to the Big Chip so I will not be able to comment on which has better fishing. However, I make several trips a year to the Turtle-Flambeau and, in my opinion, it would be tough to beat as fishing destination. As far as the fishing is concerned, this lake is a walleye, crappie and smallmouth factory. Great numbers of eater walleye with a few big ones. The smallmouths are huge, it is really not to difficult to catch numbers of three to five pounders out there. The Crappies grow pretty decent as well. There is a ten inch size limit and it really helps the population. There are good numbers of pike in it but they do not get very big. According to the dnr biologists the pike in this water have a shorter than normal natural life span and are slow growing, a 24 inch one is a big one here. The lake also harbors some large muskies but not a very dense population. If you are looking for muskie ACTION a nearby lake is pretty thick with them and would be a good side trip. The scenery of this lake is just simply awesome. The state owns a majority of the shoreline and all the islands and development is pretty well limited to a few small areas. Most of this lake is a true wilderness experience. One caveat, a June trip can be dicey, the lake has a HUGE mayfly hatch that usually occurs sometime in that month. Fish can still be caught but the abundance of food makes it a little harder. Feel free to pm me and I will share some of my knowledge of fishing locations and tactics that have worked well for me on this lake in the past. Including during the mayfly hatch.

I'm a musky nut myself...but June and September would be my favorite times to fish the chip. Better start putting something in stone soon though, resorts fill up fast up there. Don't know how the resorts on the TFF are or how many there are.

I do appreciate the opinions you folks have expressed and taking the time to assist me. Is there a certain time of the year when catching fish in these areas is optimal? We have a flexible schedule. Thanks

Another good resource to check out are the WI-DNR web pages for both the TFF and for the Chippewa Flowage. See links below: http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/lands/turtleflambeau/ http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/Lands/ChippewaFlow/ The TFF may have a bit better walleye fishing than the Big Chip. This is mostly due to an explosion of LM Bass on the Chippewa population in recent years. LM Bass are heavy predators of Walleye fry, and there has been a big program of stocking walleye in the Big Chip in recent years to try to increase walleye population levels. The TFF has a very good population and size structure of SM Bass. The TFF also has a good population of Northern Pike, but they tend to run on the small side. Tight Lines, Tom502

Click our signature below to access our website for information on the TFF including cabins, food and guides, along with ordering a free map.

We spend a week in mid June on the Chip each year. We love it, but I can tell you it took a few years to figure out where to find the fish as it's big, there's a lot of structures, and even just the wind directions can change water temps and fish locations. And where we get fish one year may be a dead sea the next year. I think you'll likely enjoy your trip on either body of water, and I do think you have a good plan if you hire a guide for the first day or two.

I've never been to the chip but i really enjoy the TFF. Not much for pike fishing there, but the walleye fishing is good and the smallmouth fishing is fantastic. I think it depends what kind of area you want to be in. Hayward has a Walmart, Mercer does not. The chip is very close to some very famous musky lakes, whereas the Mercer area is less famous. If you got sick of the TFF you have a 30 minute drive to fish the Gile if you want. I'm sure you'll have a great time at either place. Another thing: mid june is generally mayfly season around the TFF and that can make fishing difficult.

I, personally, prefer the Chip. I haven't spent a ton of time on the TFF though. Its a cool place with some interesting history behind it. Probably cant go wrong with either really....