Apr 29th, 2026 at 11:53am (UTC)

(Moderator: db)
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1 Reply Reply Send Topic Send Topic Print Print
Canoe Friendly Lakes (Read 6300 times)
paddlemaker
Voyageur
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 391
Location: Appleton, WI
Joined: Sep 27th, 2002
Canoe Friendly Lakes
Jul 19th, 2006 at 5:27pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Anyone know of any "Canoe Friendly" lakes in SE Wisconsin?  Waukesha County in particular.

I finally did a significant amount of solo paddling on my last trip and really enjoyed it.  I'd like to get out near my house but I'd like to avoid all the motorboat traffic on the lakes around here.  

I'd also like to fish a little, and my only boat is the one that requires paddles to move.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Thanks-
pm
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
TwistTieCollector
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 653
Joined: Feb 7th, 2003
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #1 - Jul 19th, 2006 at 7:05pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
(You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) is a neat webpage that allows you to scan a map of lakes in Waukesha County.  Since it is an old map, it doesn't show all the development but it does show lakes in proportion and location to each other.  Some look small enough to exclude motor traffic.

However, my guess is that if it is a lake, and it is deep enough float a boat, and it is in Waukesha County, it is covered with motorcraft.  I would suggest instead the mighty Rock River, located just outside the other (west) side of Oconomowoc.  Right now it doesn't flow fast, also you would have a high probability of never seeing another soul on that river.  Park at the wayside at Hwy 16 and the Rock...go up or downstream.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Kingfisher
Voyageur
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1814
Joined: Mar 8th, 2004
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #2 - Jul 20th, 2006 at 4:36am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Unfortunately, TTC is pretty much right on about "canoe friendly" lakes in Waukesha County. Motor restricted lakes in the county are Upper Genesee and Forest Lakes that have carry-in launches and the Menomonee Park quarry has a small drive in launch.
Most weekends are decidedly unfriendly to canoeists. If you can get away during the week I would suggest Pine Lake. I fish it regularly and it has severely restricted access that makes it a very pleasant visit Mon.-Fri. It's also a fairly large lake at 720 acres and 1 mile in length so you can flex your paddling muscles there a bit.
Another option is to find a lake that has no-wake restrictions for parts of the day.
I'm aware of only one in Waukesha County and that is Upper Nemahbin Lake that has no-wake from 1-3pm weekend afternoons but there is still a ton of boat traffic there. Long Lake in North Kettle Moraine has no-wake after 6pm on weekends and most motor boats except fishermen get off the lake at that time.
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
The_Beaver
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1131
Location: Middleton, WI
Joined: Jan 10th, 2005
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #3 - Jul 20th, 2006 at 2:36pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Try North Lake. I grew up on it. They are still fighting over public access but you can access via the Oconomowoc River. Nice lake, great fishing, not a ton of boat traffic.

Farther north, Elkhart Lake bans motors on Sundays. Nice and quiet, pretty lake too.

The Beaver
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Kingfisher
Voyageur
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1814
Joined: Mar 8th, 2004
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #4 - Jul 20th, 2006 at 10:34pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
North Lake does sailboat races most Saturday afternoons so it tends to keep the motorboat traffic down.
The access that The Beaver mentioned on the Oconomowoc River behind the Post Office is now charging a $4 (on your honor).
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
The Gimp of 01
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 313
Location: 53098
Joined: May 1st, 2003
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #5 - Jul 24th, 2006 at 10:20am
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Have you tried Beaver Lake? located on STH 83 a few miles south of North Lake. there is a parking lot and launch right on STH 83. I've only driven by it, but if I remember right it is either no motor or hand launch only.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
db
Web-lackey
Inukshuk
Voyageur
Offline



Posts: 5460
Location: Just off the beaten path.
Joined: Sep 14th, 2002
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #6 - Jul 24th, 2006 at 2:37pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
I think there are a couple of Beaver lakes nearby but ya, I recall one where you can park and on a hill and take a foot path down to a free public launch. That was years ago though. SW side of a small round lake maybe?
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
The_Beaver
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1131
Location: Middleton, WI
Joined: Jan 10th, 2005
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #7 - Jul 24th, 2006 at 4:20pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Yup, Beaver Lake is just south of North Lake a few miles on Hwy 83. Upscale area, nice quiet lake. Water color used to be aqua marine many moons ago when I lived there.

The Beaver
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Kingfisher
Voyageur
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1814
Joined: Mar 8th, 2004
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #8 - Jul 24th, 2006 at 10:31pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Yes Beaver Lake is a nice lake. There is a free carry-in launch off of HWY 83 with NO trailer parking. Remember that the lakefront residents are able to use their power boats. Probably not too bad during the week but the weekends a different story.
Nice clean lake with poor to average fishing.
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
Kingfisher
Voyageur
Inukshuk
Offline



Posts: 1814
Joined: Mar 8th, 2004
Re: Canoe Friendly Lakes
Reply #9 - Jul 24th, 2006 at 10:40pm
Quote Quote Print Post Print Post  
Here is another quiet Waukesha County lake-Crooked Lake-accessed via the Bark River only-no public access. Either launch at the county public launch between the Nemahbin lakes or on Genesee Lake Road to the south. There is adequate and legal roadside parking. The river itself is crystal clear in this section but relies on a normally wet season.
We've launched at the Nemahbins and made our way down river to Crooked Lake and on to Genesee Lake Road or you can go further to HWY 67 and spot another vehicle there. Fishing in Crooked is ok for bass. PM for more details.
  
Back to top
WWW WWW  
IP Logged
 
Page Index Toggle Pages: 1
Reply Reply Send Topic Send Topic Print Print
‹ Previous Topic | Next Topic ›

 
  « The Put-In ‹ Board  ^Top   

QuietJourney Forums » Powered by YaBB 2.6.0!
YaBB Forum Software © 2000-2026. All Rights Reserved.

Valid RSS Valid XHTML Valid CSS Powered by Perl Source Forge