Brule River
The Brule River is a 52.3-mile river in the U.S. states of Michigan and Wisconsin. For most of its length it forms the state boundary. The Brule begins at Brule Lake on the state line, winds east and southeast, and joins the Michigamme River to form the Menominee River, which flows to Lake Michigan.Course
From its headwaters at Brule Lake on the state line, the river flows generally east and southeast along the boundary of Iron County, Michigan and Forest County, Wisconsin, then along Iron County and Florence County, before meeting the Michigamme River near U.S. Highway 2 to form the Menominee River. The U.S. Geological Survey maintains gaging stations on the river near Florence, including the site at U.S. Highway 2 and a long-running station downstream.Watershed and management
The Brule drains forest and wetland landscapes typical of the western Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. Portions of the corridor are publicly owned, providing access for angling and paddling. A small impoundment, the Brule River Flowage, occurs on the Wisconsin side near Florence.Recreation
The river is popular for canoeing and fishing. Public lands along the corridor provide multiple informal launch and take-out points. Trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike occur by reach.Name
Brule is the anglicized form of the French brûlé. The name appears across the upper Great Lakes where early French usage referenced burned woods or burnovers along waterways.