Balsam Branch

About Balsam Branch

Polk County in northwestern Wisconsin has been described as a "gift of glaciers," and that phrase is undoubtedly true of Balsam Lake, the town that bears that name. It is not only a gift for anyone who enjoys nature, but also offers exceptional fishing, boat trips and wildlife.

The Native Americans called the area around the Balsam Lake the "Inner Hall," which meant the place of the evergreens. The Chippewa still lived in this area when the first European settlers arrived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, around the time of their arrival.

Eventually the settlers built a dam, a sawmill and boarding houses, and the town of Balsam Lake was born. The dam was rebuilt in 1941, but no longer exists; it has been rebuilt since then. From 1844 to 1865 it had a trading post and from 1845 to 1856 a post office and a hotel.

The town of Balsam Lake was officially founded in 1870 and is the seat of Polk County. In 1860 a dam was built to exit the lake, which was rebuilt in 1893, but still works and ensures a steady flow of water for the city and its inhabitants.

The dam is owned by Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Power Company and is now owned by the village of Balsam Lake. The drain of the lake is via the Mühlenenteich and is fed mainly by the Reis- and Harder-Bach.

Canoeing and kayaking are popular, and there are several islands to explore on the lake, such as Balsam Island and the Great Lakes Island. There are also bays for fishing, boating and other recreational activities, as well as a number of hiking trails.

The lake is mesotrophic and tends to be eutrophic, but the water quality is still good, and there are also a large number of fish species in the lake, as well as a variety of other species. The Balsam Lake is known for its large mullet and is best planted in late summer and early autumn, during the summer months.

To increase the population of Walliye species, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has stocked Balsam Lake with supplies. Many are still trembling, but their numbers have declined, and many numbers are declining due to the loss of water quality and habitat.

Winter is also a good time to go snowmobiling, snowshoeing and snowmobiling around the lake, as well as ice fishing. In winter there is also ice - fishing on the lake, but this is not the best time of year.

The fauna of the Balsam Lake is diverse and the fauna of the lake ranges from white deer, black bear, elk, wolf, coyote and wolf, to name just a few. Waterfowl include mallards and woodland ducks, but also bees, ringed pheasants and woodcock. Bald eagles circle the lakes, as do many other birds of prey such as ducks and geese, and occasionally bald eagles.

Founded in 1900, the park covers all of Wisconsin and Minnesota and is one of the largest glacier-shaped regions in the United States. In the nearby Interstate Park, Balsam Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a national park with more than 1.5 million acres of land.

The St. Croix National Scenic Riverway forms the western boundary of Polk County with a total length of 3,500 kilometers and a maximum width of 1,200 miles.

The river includes the rivers St. Croix and Namekagon and is accessible on foot, on horseback, canoe, kayak, paddle, boat or by bike. If you'd rather explore the country, there's a 90-mile rail corridor in the Gandy Dancer Trail. Named after the man who laid the tracks, the trail is a popular trail for horse riding and hiking in Polk County. The trail leads from the St. Croix Falls to Superior and on to the Lake Superior National Wildlife Refuge.

The beautiful geography, characterized by glaciers and rich in fish and wildlife, provides a wonderful backdrop for the Balsam Lake. Combined with the amenities and accommodations of Polk County Seat, it is a gift to enjoy.