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Biron Flowage

This flowage is located between Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids and it is my favorite flowage simply because I live adjacent to it. The Biron has a surface area of 2,078 acres and depth ranges up to 26-feet. The flowage is composed of a mostly sandy bottom with lots of shoreline wood, many rock piles and stump fields, and limited backwater areas. The water has a light brown, tannic acid stain and because of this dark water there is minimal vegetation growth. Some milfoil, pondweed, and lily pad beds do exist but they are located in very shallow water. I consider this flowage to be a quality musky fishery with some real trophies present. The smallmouth bass population is excellent with a good chance to catch and release a 20-inch bronze back. Walleyes are numerous but the vast majority seem to be in the 12-14-inch range. Fishing for channel catfish seems to get better every year with cats averaging 16-18-inches. Emerald shiners are the most abundant forage along with crayfish, which provide food for the smallies and walleyes. Redhorse and white suckers are very plentiful and undoubtedly provide food for the muskies

Stevens Point Flowage

The Stevens Point Flowage is located between Lake DuBay and the city of Stevens Point. It covers 3,900 surface acres and has a combination sand/gravel bottom with a rather large backwater area. Shoreline wood and stump fields provide plenty of cover for fish. Even though 50-inch muskies are extremely rare on even the best musky fisheries, you have a legitimate chance at catching one in this flowage. Muskies of this size have turned up in fyke net studies sponsored by the 12 Apostles Musky Club, Inc. and in June of 2000 a 53 ½-incher was boated! The 12 Apostles Musky Club of Stevens Point has been stocking this flowage since 1978

Lake DuBay

Lake DuBay is located about 10 miles north of Stevens Point, just west of highway 51. It was formed in 1942 when a dam was built across the Wisconsin River. Lake DuBay covers 6,830 acres with a maximum depth of 47 feet. In addition to the Wisconsin River, there are five other inlet streams, which feed this reservoir. The bottom is primarily sand along with gravel and muck. Walleye populations are very good but unfortunately, most of the 'eyes are under the 15-inch size limit. The smallmouth bass fishery is improving every year and there are some large northern pike swimming in the flowage. I feel that DuBay's musky population is low but it has some quality fish available. I am aware of two 50-inch 'skis that were released in 2000. Local musky clubs have periodically stocked muskies since the 1980's. Even though DuBay contains some giant 'skis, it gets minimal fishing pressure for this species. Over the years, DuBay has lost a lot of its flooded wood due to natural deterioration processes. This makes it harder to pinpoint the location of fish, particularly walleyes. Good boat landings are situated throughout the flowage.

Petenwell Flowage

The huge Petenwell Flowage is located south of Wisconsin Rapids near Nekoosa. At 23,043 acres it is the second largest inland body of water in Wisconsin. The Petenwell dam was constructed across the Wisconsin River in the early 1940's mainly for hydroelectric power and flood control. The flowage dips to a maximum depth of 45 feet near the dam. Bottom composition is comprised mostly of sand with some muck areas. Water color is light brown and vegetation is scarce. Stumps and submerged timber is scattered throughout the flowage. Stumps and shallow water pose navigation hazards throughout the reservoir. During the last few years, despite its large size, Petenwell has received heavy fishing pressure for walleyes both during the summer months and in the winter through the ice. There seems to be a large population of undersized walleyes while the larger walleyes, which Petenwell used to be famous for, are becoming much harder to catch. Petenwell provides a very good white bass and channel cat fishery. There is no doubt in my mind that the Petenwell Flowage offers a great opportunity for the serious musky hunter. Muskies have been stocked since 1982 and with a strong forage base these muskies grow fat. The large size of the flowage combined with the many navigation hazards tends to intimidate many anglers. During the summer of 2000, a 54 ½-inch monster musky was caught, photographed, and released! Petenwell has very good boat landings throughout the flowage. Please note that the "Pete" can become very turbulent and dangerous on windy days.