Turtle Flambeau Flowage

Posted on the Facebook page for the TFF Lake Association: 

" For those coming to the Turtle Flambeau Flowage for the opening weekend of fishing, please be prepared for much lower than usual water levels.  As of this morning, 4/29/24, TFF elevation at 1569.63, which is about 2.4 feet below full pool.   

If you have never fished the TFF in late summer or fall, when water levels go down, expect to see lots of new hazards like rock bars and stumps.  Please be safe and take it slow when boating in unfamiliar places.   

The drought we have been in since July 2023, coupled with the lack of snowpack to help refill lakes in the Northwoods has led to this situation.  Also impacting our water levels is the minimal discharge from the Manitowish Waters chain. The Rest Lake dam is currently discharging 50 cfs, and they have 14-16 inches left to refill the Mani Waters chain. Once they refill, more water should start flowing downstream to help refill the TFF. 

One last piece of news, as of this afternoon the docks at Springstead landing WERE NOT in.  I'm not sure about other DNR landings, but launch times are likey to take significantly longer than usual this weekend. 

Best of luck to all who fish this weekend. Please support local businesses, after this past winter, they need all the help they can get.   

Be safe out there!!" 

Tom502

The water level of the TFF has risen a bit more than 1 foot in the last 3 weeks.

April 9, 1568.61
Today 1569.68
Full pool 1572

I wonder how this compares with previous years for the May opener

As of 4 weeks ago the water level was down 50 inches from full pool.   As of this morning (April 18) the water level is still down 34 inches from full.   At the current rate of filling we will still be down 24 inches from full for the walleye opener.    That is unusually low for the opener but normal for late summer.

Does anyone have any info on how the boat launches will be for the opener? I'm guessing we'll need waders to get a boat wet. TIA

Slowburn, 

I think this one of those years where you may have to use an "asterisk" for tracking ice  out date.  

 The Baraboo basin was ice free a couple weeks back, then refroze.  It finally opened up again, totally, yesterday or Sunday.   The back bay I live on still has a bit of very thin ice cover which will probably be gone by the end of the day.  

I'm not aware of any official record keeping for ice out date, so whatever date you choose should be fine.  

This is just one more example of what a bizarre weather year we are in. 

Tight Lines,  

Tom502 

Slow burn
I am happy someone keeps tabs on that, I find it both an interesting and useful record. I remember the ice years for opening day of fishing season since I started guiding very well. As far as what to put down this year is probably kind of a dilemma. I haven't been riding down to the flowage to look at the conditions. The lake we live on had the ice go out then the lake refroze, yesterday was the first day the ice was completely gone.
As far as safe useable ice for ice fishing, the ice was "out" a long time ago, some would say we never had any "safe" ice this year.
As far as an official ice out for the records? Not sure.

Would anyone be able to give me an "official" ice out day for my list?

Thanks in advance

Eclipse day. Flowage is 3.5’ down. 
4/6/24

Water level has come up 9 inches over the last 20 days but is still down 41 inches from full pool.    Unless we get biblical-type rains this month the walleye opener is is going to be an eye-opener for a lot of people.   https://wi.my.xcelenergy.com/s/energy-portfolio/hydro">https://wi.my.xcelenergy.com/s/energy-portfolio/hydro

How thick is the ice near Springstead Landing?