Washburn County Communities
Birchwood, Wisconsin
A Thousand Lakes in the Washburn County Area
Birchwood, the bluegill capital of Wisconsin, is ideally located between Rice Lake to the south, Hayward to the north and Spooner to the west, Birchwood is the preferred area if you want to avoid the crowds and escape to the serenity of a quaint village. Whether you want to fish, swim, boat or waterski, many lakes in the Birchwood area have it all. Rent a pontoon or launch your own boat at one of the many fine boat launch sites. Some of the sites are located on remote lakes which don’t have the fishing pressure as do some of the larger, more popular lakes. Some of the lakes can only be reached by packing in a canoe.
The very large deer herd in northwest Wisconsin makes for great fall hunting. Waterfowl and upland game birds such as partridge and ruffed grouse are also plentiful.
Bird watching is very popular, with Hunt Hill Audubon Sanctuary close by. Large stands of second- and third-growth woods are still prevalent around Birchwood, and are home to a vast wildlife population, including the frequently seen bald eagle.
The Tuscobia Trail offers hundreds of miles of riding for snowmobilers, bikers and ATVers, as well as hiking. There are also adjoining trails maintained by the local snowmobile and ATV clubs. The Ice Age Trail is a non-motorized trail offering varied degrees of challenge to hikers and bikers.
A splendid golf course is located just south of Birchwood at Tagalong Golf & Resort. The original nine-hole course, developed in 1923, was fashioned after the St. Andrew in Scotland. Today it is a beautiful and challenging, 18-hole course. Many other golf courses are within a short drive. Accommodations in the area range from B&Bs and resorts to campgrounds and motels. Fine dining or simpler fare are available at numerous locations.
But Birchwood hasn’t always been a tourist haven. Two museums in the village offer fascinating discoveries about the logging days and early settlers.
Northwest Wisconsin is famous for its fall colors. Begin your tour by reserving accommodations in Birchwood and tour the many state-designated Rustic Roads. Day trips to Hayward, Spooner, Bayfield and the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior are available. So plan to spend your next vacation at Birchwood. You’ll be glad you did.
The Chetac Chain of Lakes Offers Great Fishing
Lake Chetac near Birchwood is part of a chain of four excellent fishing lakes linked by narrows, channels and a creek. Lake Chetac, covering nearly 2,000 acres, is the largest. It is a fairly shallow lake with excellent cover for panfish, northern, walleye and bass.
A channel flows south out of Chetac into Big Birch Lake, which is smaller but more than twice as deep — providing great walleye habitat. Big Birch is separated by a narrows from Little Birch Lake, flowing into Birch Creek. The creek feeds into Balsam Lake, known for big game fish.
A channel connects Balsam to Red Cedar Lake.
A visit to Birchwood is not a step back in time, but a refreshing break from the fast lane into the serene simplicity of village life. For more information, call 1-800-236-2252 or visit the Birchwood Area Chamber of Commerce at www.birchwoodwi.com.
