Kayaking and Canoeing

The Mead is a great place to explore by canoe or kayak. Many of it’s flowages are easily accessed and have excellent wildlife viewing on flat water. Paddling the Mead will put the paddler in a near wilderness setting, and offers some of the best wildlife viewing in Wisconsin.

  • Put in from Smoky Hill Road (except when refuge is in effect- September 1st - December 10th) and park at Smoky Hill parking lot.

  • Put in from parking lot on Cty Rd S south of the bridge. Paddle the original channel of the Little Eau Pleine River to the dike. Portage the dike into Berkhahn Flowage.

  • Put in from Cty Rd H parking lot. Watch for otters and other wildlife signs.

  • Portage from gate leading to Rangeline Flowage from Rangeline Road. Park at the lot on the other side of Rangeline Road.

  • Caution should be taken when paddling the channelized Little Eau Pleine River. It’s many obstructions provide valuable wildlife habitat, but are extremely challenging for paddlers.

No motorized boats are allowed on the Mead property, except on the river which can be accessed from landings on Highway O or on Highway S when the water is traversable. Otherwise, access to the Big Eau Pleine Reservoir is on the North end of the property off of Highway C at George’s Boat Landing.

Here is the statute NR 45.11(4)(u) regarding McMillan boating regulations.