The Wisconsin is the longest river in the state, arising at the Michigan border in the northeast and emptying into the Mississippi River far to the southwest near Prairie du Chien. It originates in the forests of the North Woods Lake District in Lac Vieux Desert on the border with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan .

Wisconsin's 84,000 river miles flow through 15,000 lakes and millions of wetland acres. Explore river information through the links below. Search river descriptions, assessments, projects and restorations. Want to help protect the health of your local waterways? Join a network of more than 500 statewide volunteers!

Wisconsin River, river rising in Lac Vieux Desert (lake), Vilas county, northern Wisconsin, U.S., on the Wisconsin-Michigan border. It flows generally southward through central Wisconsin past Rhinelander, Wausau, Stevens Point, Wisconsin Rapids, and Wisconsin Dells (site of a …

A statewide map of Wisconsin showing the major lakes, streams and rivers. Drought, precipitation, and stream gage information.

Seven miles northwest of Phelps, the Wisconsin River starts its 400-mile journey through the Badger State. The Wisconsin River gets its start at the western edge of Lac Vieux Desert, a 4,000-acre lake that straddles the border of Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Get tips on one of the best places for Wisconsin River fishing--below the Prairie du Sac Dam. Discover walleye, smallmouth bass, white bass and catfish!

The Lower Wisconsin State Riverway encompasses a 92 mile stretch of the Wisconsin River from Prairie du Sac to Prairie du Chein, covering nearly 80,000 acres of river, bluffs, islands and flood plains. Since its establishment 1989 the region has become a major attraction to nature lovers and sportsmen alike.

The Dells of the Wisconsin River encompasses over five miles of the Wisconsin River corridor with a spectacular gorge, cliffs, tributary canyons and rock formations carved into Cambrian sandstone.

Wisconsin has more than 12,600 rivers and streams that meander their way through 84,000 miles of varying terrain. About 32,000 miles of these streams run continuously throughout the year; the remainder flow intermittently during spring and other high water times.

Wisconsin is home to the 430 mile long Wisconsin River. The Wisconsin River is known for its amazing historical background. Many years ago before it turned into the river, it was used throughout the state as a road for transportation from one location to another.