About Our Lakes

The Tiger Cat Flowage

The Tiger Cat Flowage is a chain of six interconnected lakes in Sawyer County, 11 miles east of Hayward, WI. It is known for its wooded shorelines and peaceful northwoods setting.

The lakes offer excellent opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding and canoeing. Anglers enjoy a diverse fishery that includes musky, walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, and panfish, supported by a mix of weed beds, and submerged structure throughout the chain. 

The flowage is home to a remarkable, diverse and abundant native aquatic plant community that plays an essential role in keeping the lakes healthy and thriving. 

Wildlife is also part of the lake experience, with frequent sightings of loons, bald eagles, deer, and other northwoods species along the water and shoreline.

Maps of Lakes

The Tiger Cat Flowage is made up of Placid, Burns, Tiger Cat, Lower Twin, Upper Twin, and McClaine. Each lake has its own unique and distinct character.  In total, the flowage is 1,091 acres.

Boat Launches

  • Upper Twin off Hwy 77 (fee)
  • Lower Twin off Twin Lakes Rd. 
  • Tiger Cat Lake off Tiger Cat Dam Rd.
Maps of Tiger Cat Flowage

Click image for larger view

Informational Kiosks

Kiosks are located at each boat launch. Before heading out on the lakes, please review important information including lake regulations, bag limits, aquatic invasive species awareness, and Clean Boats/Clean Waters guidelines to help protect the Tiger Cat Flowage.

Boating Regulations

We want everyone to enjoy the beauty of the Tiger Cat Flowage while helping preserve the peaceful Northwoods experience we all value. Please take time to understand local ordinances and Wisconsin boating and lake regulations, and always be respectful of fellow property owners, boaters, anglers and wildlife.

Boating

“Slow-no-wake” speed is the slowest possible speed a motorboat can move and still maintain steerage.

WI State Law requires Slow-No-Wake speed for motorboats within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, restricted area, patrol boats, swimmers, bouy restricted area and within 100 feet of the shoreline.

Wis. Stat. § 30.66

PWC must operate at slow-no-wake within 200 feet of the shoreline and 100 feet of other boats.

Wis. Stat. § 30.66

Town of Round Lake Ordinances require Slow-No-Wake in areas marked by slow-no-wake buoys:

  • Channel of Tiger Cat Dam Lake & Tiger Cat Dam Boat Ramp Area – No. 2007-01
  • Marker Buoys Placid Lake – No. 9

Town of Round Lake Ordinance No.01-2020 prohibits the creation of enhanced wakes defined as:

  • Over 24″ high for over 50 ft. in length
  • That is closer than 700 feet from any shore, dock, pier or raft
  • Created by any wake enhancement watercraft using ballast, mechanical hydrofoil(s) or uneven loading
  • Or by operating at a transition speed faster than slow-no-wake and slower than a speed required to plane

  • Between the hours of 5:00 PM and 11:00 AM
    • No operation of any motorboat towing a person engaged in water skiing or similar activity
    • No operation of a Personal Water Craft (PWC) or Jet Ski
  • Town of Round Lake Quiet Hour Ordinances – Tiger Cat Flowage

Fishing Regulations

Fishing on the Tiger Cat Flowage is guided by Wisconsin regulations that help keep fish populations healthy and the experience enjoyable for everyone. Rules can vary by species including size limits, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions.

The fishing rules and regulations can change by season so it’s always a good idea to double-check before you head out.

For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the Wisconsin DNR Website for fishing regulations, how to get a license, season dates, and a whole host of resources for anglers.

Go here to learn more about the thriving Fish Species on the Tiger Cat Flowage.

Fishing

Hunting Regulations

Hunting

The lands and waters surrounding the flowage offer seasonal hunting in accordance with Wisconsin DNR regulations and private landowner permissions. 

The flowage is a shared natural area where wildlife habitat and responsible recreation exist together. Hunters must respect all property boundaries and obtain permission before accessing private land.

Waterfowl hunting occurs during designated seasons. Because the flowage is shared with other users, hunters should remain mindful of safety, visibility, and early-morning recreational activity. Boaters and shoreline users may be present during hunting hours, so courtesy, clear communication, and safe shooting practices are essential.

All Wisconsin DNR waterfowl regulations—including licensing, seasons, and zones—must be followed. For the most up-to-date information, refer to the Wisconsin DNR Website for hunting regulations.

As always, please respect fellow users of the flowage and help maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for everyone.

Wildlife

Mammals

  • White-tailed deer
  • Black bear
  • Gray wolf
  • Elk – reintroduced in the Clam Lake area but do occasionally wander farther west into Sawyer County
  • Moose – rarely seen but sightings are on the rise
  • Coyote
  • Bobcat
  • Red & gray fox
  • Raccoon
  • Fisher
  • American marten
  • Red, gray and flying squirrels
  • Chipmunk
  • Striped skunk
  • Snowshoe hare
  • Eastern cottontail rabbit
  • Short-tailed weasel (ermine)
  • Long-tailed weasel
  • Beaver
  • Muskrat
  • River otter
  • Mink
  • Porcupine
  • Woodchuck (groundhog)
  • Opossum
  • Bats: little brown, big brown, eastern red, hoary
  • Numerous mouse, vole, shrew and mole species
  • Occasional sightings of lynx and cougars

Fish

There are over 25 different fish species found in Tiger Cat Flowage. These are the fish you are most likely to encounter.

Sport fish/ panfish
  • Muskellunge
  • Walleye
  • Northern pike
  • Largemouth & smallmouth bass
  • Yellow perch
  • Black crappie
  • Bluegill
  • Pumpkinseed
Other fish
  • Golden & common shiners
  • Bluntnose & fathead minnows
  • Yellow & black bullhead
  • White & longnose suckers
  • Creek & hornyhead chubs
  • Bowfin (dogfish)
  • Common Carp

Birds

Over 200 different species of birds have been recorded in the area! Here are some of the more noticeable birds you will see on and near the lakes:

  • Common loon
  • Canada goose
  • Mallard
  • Wood duck
  • Great blue heron
  • Sandhill crane
  • Bald eagle
  • Red-tailed hawk
  • Broad-winged hawk
  • Barred owl
  • Great horned owl
  • Osprey

Amphibians

  • Frogs: spring peeper, wood, American toad, northern leopard, green, American bullfrog, chorus
  • Salamanders: spotted, blue-spotted, eastern tiger, eastern red-backed, eastern newt

Reptiles

  • Snakes: common garter, northern water, eastern milk, smooth green, red-bellied, eastern hognose, blue racer, northern ring-necked
  • Turtles: painted, snapping, Blanding’s, musk
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