The Yellow River flows through both Burnett and Washburn Counties in northwestern Wisconsin before emptying into the St. Croix River at Danbury. This scenic waterway offers diverse angling opportunities, from its clear, spring-fed tributaries in Washburn County to its slower-moving sections downstream in Burnett County. The river transitions from a meandering stream flowing through lowlands, tag alder-tamarack-black spruce swamps, and wooded uplands in its upper reaches to a wider, slower river in its lower sections downstream from Big and Little Yellow Lakes. This section features easily navigated channels, shallow weedy bays, and occasional wider spreads where the channel meanders through wetland areas. The river serves as critical spawning habitat for walleye, lake sturgeon, and other species that inhabit the connected Yellow Lake system. Much of the lower river is designated "slow, no wake," creating ideal conditions for canoe fishing while remaining accessible to motorboats.