boating hazards

[tpk2000]

Hello, my wife and I are thinking of coming up to TFF in late August and was looking at staying at a resort at the very north end of the lake. I would be bringing my own boat and being new to the lake, was wondering about getting around. I was reading past post and I'm starting to get spooked. We don't mind going slow and being careful, but hate to lose props and lower end units. I know lake levels could mean alot, but what can I expect for hazards at least on the north end. Thanks for any info. Tom & Barb

[gdi]

What resort are you talking about? I stay at Dead Horse always there in July. I have been going up there for sometime maybe I can help some, but it all depends on water levels. Gps helps to plot a trail but as water levels go down in mid to late summer things change fast. You be surprised at how many stumps you drive over everyday. Rock bars aren't as bad at that end but head south a little ways and they start to show up.

gdi

[Northwoodsman77]

the flowage levels tend to drop about 1 - 2 feet in late summer so for getting around your best bet is to find the river channel that runs through the flowage. I would also bring an extra prop just in case but as long as you watch were your going and watch your depth finder to notice depth changes (like if your at 15 feet then it changes to 7) you should be ok!

[tpk2000]

What resort are you talking about? I stay at Dead Horse always there in July. I have been going up there for sometime maybe I can help some, but it all depends on water levels. Gps helps to plot a trail but as water levels go down in mid to late summer things change fast. You be surprised at how many stumps you drive over everyday. Rock bars aren't as bad at that end but head south a little ways and they start to show up.

gdi

We were looking at staying at Gateway Lodge

[tpk2000]

Hello, my wife and I are thinking of coming up to TFF in late August and was looking at staying at a resort at the very north end of the lake. I would be bringing my own boat and being new to the lake, was wondering about getting around. I was reading past post and I'm starting to get spooked. We don't mind going slow and being careful, but hate to lose props and lower end units. I know lake levels could mean alot, but what can I expect for hazards at least on the north end. Thanks for any info. Tom & Barb

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[LundAngler]

My first bit of advice to you would be invest in a good map (personally I like the Mapping Specialists version). If you have a sonar unit that accepts mapping software, Navionics has a current map of the TFF, and Lakemaster is supposed to have one coming out this spring. Secondly, ask the locals, or check the following DNR website to determine current water level:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/facilities/turtleflambeau/water.html.

Remember that you should only believe your map approximately 75% of the time (maps assume full pool, and not all hazards are marked). Thirdly, I'd hire a guide for a day if you can. If you can't do the guide thing, the map should serve you well. The best advice I can give is to take it slow until you are confident that you know where you are going, and use the map to try to stay in the river channels when you are traveling from place to place.

Good luck!

[MuskieRandy]

There should be a FAQ on this topic....

STUMPS...

I think of it as 3 areas:

1) Original lake basins - these are always safe, because, of course, there aren't any stumps in them.

2) Shallow, stump filled areas. These are always risky, because even at full pool, there are stumps that are close to the surface, or sticking up over the surface. You need to go slow with the motor trimmed up.

3) Grey areas. There is a lot of this. This includes near the channel, by the way. These areas have to be approached differently based on the water level. At full pool, much of the grey area is safe, because many of the stumps top out around the low level mark, and full pool is 3 feet over the low mark, so you've got 3 feet of leeway there. You can go full blast through these areas at full pool, but when the water gets down a couple of feet, you are taking chances.

I've said this before, the channel is not really a safe zone. Sure if you can stay EXACTLY over the channel, it's always safe, but you can't do that precisely enough. The channel is really narrow. Don't use your Navionics or whatever, and go blasting along the channel if the water is below full pool. There are certain spots were there are stumps a couple feet down, right next to the channel, and I mean a couple feet away. This is not common, but they are there.

The other thing to watch out is for floaters, especially in the spring. In the spring, the water comes up to full pool, which makes the boating safer, BUT, it also causes loose logs from the shoreline to come loose and float around. You need to look out for these.

ROCKS, BARS...

The other thing is rocks and bars, and here of course, you need to know where they are and pay attention to the water level. The maps are not totally accurate , so watch out. I wouldn't say the flowage is as bad as some Canadian lakes for rocks, but there are some nasty ones out there. We don't have the insane 40 feet to 1 foot rock cliffs in the flowage, but there are some huge boulders out there. (I think they call them glacial erratics)

[Randy]

I agree with MuskieRandy. It seems every year I make contact with a log in 18 feet of water just outside the river channels.

Another point... learn from other boaters. Don't assume it's safe if you see one boat rip through an area but if you see ten guys rip through an area chances are you're okay. Same goes on the flip side, if you see numerous boats motoring slowly through an area you'd be wise to do the same.

Lastly, there are numerous rock bars and stumpy reefs that are located relatively close to deeper water. Until you learn the water and where these hazards are located, I wouldn't get too crazy. When in doubt, take it slow and enjoy the scenery.

[BlueRanger]

The Navionics map should not be considered accurate. Only the new LakeMaster versions (2009 LakeMaster Pro Maps Wisconsin from Lowrance and LakeMaster Wisconsin from Garmin - neither is available yet) are based on a thorough, modern survey. Navionics is the only option for my Humminbird, so I didn't bother buying a map card. They do their own survey work, and I haven't inquired as to whether they have any plans to do the TFF.

As of a week or two ago, LakeMaster still didn't have a print run scheduled for the paper map. For now, the Mapping Specialists paper map is the closest thing to an accurate map you can buy in any format.

[beelzebob]

My biggest problem on the flowage is deadheads that "walk" - I've hit these damn things in 18'water where I've run through 20 times without anything showing on sonar. My strategy is that I don't run over 25mph; if I hit wood at that speed in deep water, everything gives enough that nothing snaps. Get out there and run slow, learn it and respect it. And expect to take your knocks, bring a push pole and a spare prop - these are not optional equip for me.

[LundAngler]

I should not have used the word current when I said that Navionics has a map. I meant to say they currently have a map, instead I said they have a current map. My bad. I have been using the Navionics chip on TFF since 2007. I agree that it is not perfect, but it's right more than it's wrong, and it has been helpful to me in navigating the flowage. It is certainly better than nothing at all.

To be honest, the first time I used it, I was floored by the channel accuracy. Maybe it was because I was used to staring at a paper map and then staring at shoreline features to find my way around for the previous 7 years. I'm just easy to impress I guess.

Hazards out of the channels are hit and miss however (forgive the pun). I have found many rock bars and stump fields that are not marked. I really shouldn't say this (because I am going to jinx myself) but the only significant collision I have had in the 2 1/2 years I've been running with the Navionics chip, was a stump I hit at about 5 mph in the mouth of the river headed toward the falls. (As a side note, that was my first and last trip with a rebuilt aluminum prop. It will be stainless for me from now on.)

Blueranger is correct that the LakeMaster chip is due out this summer and should be the best option for TFF since it will be the most current. I will be buying the chip when it's available and will report back on the accuracy.

[George]

No map is a substitute for good solid judgement. I have yet to see a lake map that does not contain this disclaimer...NOT FOR NAVIGATION. When in doubt, pull back on the power, tilt the motor up and idle through some of the most beautiful scenery in Wisconsin. Good luck!