Shiocton residents adapt to spring flooding as Wolf River rises
Apr 04, 2025
SHIOCTON, Wis. (WFRV) - The Wolf River is once again flooding parts of Shiocton, prompting a flood warning from the National Weather Service that remains in effect until next Wednesday night.
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department has also issued a no-wake order, meaning boaters on the Wol
f River must slow down to protect the shoreline from erosion.
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But for locals, spring flooding is just a way of life.
“This is kind of normal for the springtime,” said Jason Johnson of Neenah, who was fishing along the river. “I’m out here to try and catch some walleye.”
Johnson says while he’s never seen the water this high himself, longtime residents have told him it can get much worse. Floodwaters have covered grassy areas where anglers would normally park their trucks and launch boats.
“It actually can be confusing because you can’t tell where the channel is,” he added. “If you don’t fish here a lot, you could get turned around.”
Longtime Shiocton resident Randy Samz says the water isn’t unusually high yet. “There are a lot of times it’s a lot higher,” he said. “You get used to it. It’s not all that crazy.”
Samz, who’s lived in the area for decades, says the high water is good for fishing. “Walleyes will come up, sturgeon will be on the rocks. That’s the cool part about it.”
Residents say they’re prepared, and unless it turns into a record-breaking year, most know how to manage the seasonal flooding.
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“Just a normal day in Shiocton,” Samz said.
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department has also issued a no-wake order, meaning boaters on the Wolf River must slow down to protect the shoreline. ...read more read less