Winter Boating

colbysmith

colbysmith

Active member
Ok, now that I have a heater in my boat, and mostly retired, where can a guy from the Midwest go boating within 1000 miles of Southern Wisconsin? IOW, I don't want to drive more than two days if I don't have too, but not ruling out 3 (1500 miles?). Any suggestions of Lakes or Rivers that are open year round, with at least a few hearty souls out on their boats? Preferably that at least barely stay above freezing at night, and a few degrees warmer during the day. I think of Lake of the Ozarks, along with some of the Kentucky Lakes, and remember a nice lake right there in Branson (along with Table Rock too). But not familiar with winter access to most if not all of the lakes. We've still got the boat ramps in here in Madison, but I expect them to come out soon. So any advice on fun lakes to see during the winter months that are still accessible with launch ramps and where one wouldn't be completely alone? Colby
 
Looks like you are about 500 miles from Land Between the Lakes. Weather shouldn't be that bad. I haven't been there for 50 years, but my Pappy used to fish Ky Lake and Lake Barkley for crappie.
 
Actually, just about 600 miles. I have been to Land of the Lakes, between Barkley and Kentucky Lakes before. In fact, those are two of the lakes I'm considering as doable. Just don't know if access stays open year round (as in, available docks at the launch ramps). Lake Kentucky Damn Village State Park is where I've stayed and launched before, during the summer. Just figuring if it doesn't get icy around here (for towing out of the area), and rediculously cold anytime soon, would still like to do some boating. Suppose I could just go down to Dubuque, or several of the state parks here on the Mississippi, but again, would like it to be a little warmer than where our temps fall to. (Although, right now we are unseasonably warm.) Colby
 
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