In 2004, in cooperation with landowners and Trout Unlimited, the DNR gave the Plover an extreme makeover when it restored nearly a mile of river upstream from Highway 153, according to fisheries biologist Tom Meronek. The work included installing 14 wing deflectors, two islands, three plunge pools and 300 large boulders, along with logs and other woody debris. Several springs were also cleaned out to increase their flow. The work decreased the stream channel from 78 to 50 feet and deepened it from 1.28 to 2 feet on average.

"The river channel had filled up with sediment and widened as a result primarily of past farming practices," Meronek said. "The stream bottom is now a mixture of sand and gravel, and average water flows have increased."

Chris Halla said the river has good hatches of Sulphurs, Caddis and Blue-Winged Olives, along with Brown Drakes and Hexagenia in summer. The Plover's trout are wary and selective. The upper river supports wild browns and brookies, while the lower river holds mainly browns. The stretch from Highway Z upstream to the outlet of Totten Springs is an artificials-only section, with a daily bag limit of three trout from 10 to 13 inches. This is a good spot to try for a big fish.

Contacts: Gander Mountain, Wausau, (715) 355-5500; Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, (715) 845-6231, or www.wausauchamber.com.

NAMEKAGON RIVER
The Namekagon begins at the outlet of Lake Namekagon in Bayfield County and flows southwest for 100 miles to the St. Croix River. Protected since 1968 as a federal Wild and Scenic River, the Namekagon offers Western-style big-river fishing for outsized browns. The 20 miles from Highway M to Hayward are trout waters, with wild brookies in the upper reaches and mainly browns below Pacwawong. Below Hayward, you may catch a smallmouth, walleye, muskie or catfish.

The Namekagon moves right along and it carries a load of water, so bring a wading staff and watch your step. Several bridges and pull-offs provide access along Highway 63 between Cable and Hayward. There are three Category 5 stretches in Sawyer County with a maze of regulations to promote trophy opportunities, so check the regulations booklet carefully.

Contacts: St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, (715) 483-3284; Pastika's Sports, 1-800-244-2159, or www.pastikas.com.

BOIS BRULE RIVER
The best known of all Wisconsin trout streams, Douglas County's Bois Brule has two distinct personalities. It begins a few miles from the headwaters of the St. Croix and meanders for 30 miles through alder swamp, cedar bog and wooded upland. It changes character abruptly near Highway 2, where rock ledges and clay banks speed it along its last 19 miles to Lake Superior. The headwaters hold brook trout, the middle miles are some of the best brown trout water in the state, and the lower stretch offers superb angling for lake-run steelhead, browns and salmon.

Many anglers use canoes to fly-fish for big browns at night, but there are abundant daytime hatches as well, and the Brule's trout won't turn up their noses at a spinner or drifted worm.