5.4 miles. From the take-out, turn right onto CR G, then bear left on CR GG. (CR GG is quite a pretty drive in its own right as it passes over a drumlin.) Turn right on CR BB, then left on CR I. The put-in is on the upstream side of the bridge, on river right. Park roadside.
TAKE-OUT N43° 14.058' W88° 53.192'
PUT-IN N43° 15.374' W88° 56.366'
• THE • FLAVOR •
THE CRAWFISH IS ABOUT 80 FEET WIDE HERE, but in this stretch in particular it retains its intimacy. For what it’s worth, the width does diminish the likelihood of deadfall. Off in the near distance, you’ll see one of several drumlins. After an abrupt right-hand turn followed by a left-hand turn, you’ll see an undeveloped landing on the right at the mouth of a slough. You can’t go too far upstream the slough, but it is a pretty little nook worth a look-see. This trip offers a handful of such backwater diversions, any of which are worth exploring if you have the time and inclination. The main stream then briefly flows past a row of houses signaled by some weeping willows. But for a few farms and one home across from the take-out, these are the only houses you’ll see on this trip.
As you leave behind the signs of settlement, the surroundings grow with wild abandon. You’re entering a main section of the Waterloo State Wildlife Area some 4,000 acres large that supports a variety of habitats, such as open-water marsh, sedge meadows, ferns, hardwood forest, native prairie, and shrub swamps. Ready your camera when you’re here, because wildlife abounds.
Ringing much of the background are more drumlins. The scene lacks the immediate drama of rock outcrops or bluffs, but there is a graduated rise to the landscape, which makes the entire setting nonetheless rather pretty. Additionally, there are numerous old or dead trees still standing in solitude in contrast to the flourish of leafy living ones in the backdrop for stunning relief. Beyond a couple of tight twists where the river is unusually narrow is the confluence of the Maunesha River, but in a rather inconspicuous spot that’s easy to miss. Strangely, the mouth of the Maunesha is narrower than the river itself, which subdues the effect.
Look for a break on the right banks where there are large rocks on the left. It’s worth paddling upstream the Maunesha if you have the time and inclination—there’s virtually no current to paddle against. About 1 mile upstream, you’ll see a gigantic and seemingly surreal rock quarry so out of place it looks like a tornado randomly dropped it there. The huge mounds of crushed stone, gleaming white and beige, could be mistaken for cliffs of clay if you didn’t know it was a quarry.
Back in the main stream again, the Crawfish widens out as it approaches the bridge at CR BB. On the right is a lovely farm field on a hill that, with a little imagination, could be a runner-up for Little House on the Prairie. Just upstream from the bridge you’ll find the decrepit remains of foundation supports adjoined by a very tiny island with a tree growing out of it. There’s a good chance you’ll happen upon folks on the banks here casting fishing lines. On the downstream side of the bridge are a few boulders to dodge, maybe a small riffle, and a few more attractive tree islands. The river slowly glides past a hill on the right, where you’ll see more boulders both on the bank and tucked into the earth. In autumn, the colors here simply blaze.
Quintessential south central Wisconsin
The end of the trip comes quickly: Turn right and suddenly the take-out bridge is before you. The landing is on the downstream side on the left, an official parking lot for the Waterloo State Wildlife Area. Look for the GLACIAL HERITAGE AREA WATER TRAILS sign for the most convenient spot to take out.
• THE • FUDGE •
ADDITIONAL TRIPS Downstream of CR G, within half a mile, you enter a sprawling marsh near the confluence of the Beaver Dam River and Mud Lake. After Mud Lake, the Crawfish is humongous—more than 400 feet wide most of the time. Added to that, it’s slow and muddy, and most of the surroundings are large farms.
CAMPING AND RENTALS Astico County Park (just south of WI 60 at N3620 CR TT; 920-386-3700)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT Located in the one-block burg of Millville, Crawfish Junction (W6376 CR A, just north of I-94; 920-648-3550) caters to Cajun tastes, offering andouille sausage and deep-fried gator.
SHOUT-OUT Both the put-in and take-out are dedicated (though undeveloped) landings thanks in large part to the Glacial Heritage Area (GHA), an organization whose mission is “to reconnect people to the land through recreation, conservation and tourism,” mostly but not exclusively in Jefferson County areas where glaciers left their marks. A number of trips in this book have been inspired by the GHA’s work. For a map of the lakes and streams in the GHA, a guide, and lots of great info in general, see glacialheritagearea.org.
4 Duck Creek: WYOCENA TO DUCK CREEK ROAD
• THE • FACTS •
Put-in/take-out Lovers Lane in downtown Wyocena/Duck Creek Road off US 51. See “The Flavor” for an alternative put-in.
Distance/time 9 mi/Allow for 5 hrs
Gradient/water level 2 fpm/Water levels should always be reliable, but wind can be a factor, so try to pick a still day.
Water type Quietwater
Canoe or kayak Either
Skill level Beginner
Time of year to paddle Spring and autumn
Landscape Marsh, woods, savanna
OVERVIEW A mix of woods and marsh, Duck Creek is a mostly isolated stream with very little development along the banks. It’s not the best trip to paddle if the wind is against you, but it’s an awesome spot in spring and autumn during migration—for sandhill cranes especially, but you can expect to see various birds as well as deer and muskrats. This trip can easily be broken into two segments.
SHUTTLE 6.3 miles. The take-out is along Duck Creek Road, which is less a road than a snowmobile trail. Whatever you call it, it’s rough and rutty. You may want to park your vehicle or bicycle before the road gets dodgy. (A kayak caddy is great for such occasions.) From the take-out, head south on Duck Creek Road, then turn right on US 51. Turn left on WI 16 and head east. Coming into Wyocena, bear left on Old WI 16. Turn left on WI 22, cross the river, and then turn right onto Lovers Lane. The boat launch will be on your right. Put in at the semi-developed boat launch at Lovers Lane. There’s plenty of room for roadside parking.
TAKE-OUT N43° 30.240' W89° 24.900'
PUT-IN N43° 29.820' W89° 18.540'
• THE • FLAVOR •
FOR THE FIRST 0.5 MILE, you’ll paddle on a flowage past some Wyocena buildings. There’s a cool old truss bridge followed by an iconic barn on the right. Depending on how high the water is, you’ll probably see some branches and roots of scrub partially submerged. The dam will be on your right, and you’ll portage to the right of the dam; there’s a sign indicating this, too. The creek jackknifes northward below the dam. There
