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Exploring the Boating Waters of Pepin County
Summers are best spent on the water, soaking up the sunshine and spending time with friends and family. Pepin County is one place to get out on the water with public boat landings on various lakes and rivers. Here are a few of the area public access boat landings to get you started on your next summer water adventure on the boat.
Chippewa River Boat Landing (Tiffany Bottoms)
This public boat landing, located on the Lower Chippewa River near the Mississippi, is a great way to get out on the Chippewa River near the Tiffany Bottoms State Natural Area. You can follow the Chippewa River northeast toward Durand to see a large part of Pepin County and have a nice day of cruising the water. It is common to see people on the Chippewa River boating, fishing, swimming, tubing, and enjoying viewing the diverse flora and fauna of the area. From the Chippewa, you can make your way to the Mississippi River, as well as Lake Pepin, for more fun on the river.
Dead Lake Boat Landing
The public Dead Lake Boat Landing can be found on the northern end of the TIffany Bottoms State Natural Area, about 5 miles southwest from Durand, Wisconsin. The lake is a known fishing spot for Panfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Catfish. You can choose to spend the day fishing on the 77 acre lake, or head out to the Chippewa River from the lake, do a little river cruising, and explore more of Pepin County. If you’re looking for a quieter day on the water, Dead Lake is often less busy than the Chippewa and is a great place to relax and fish.
Stockholm Village Campground Boat Launch
Stockholm, another Pepin County city, has a public boat landing that can be found at the Stockholm Village Campground in Village Park right on Lake Pepin in the Mississippi River. The landing is well used and makes getting in and out of the lake an easy task. Once you’re out on the water, you can spend the day cruising the lake, tubing and water skiing, as well as relaxing. If Lake Pepin gets a little too crowded, you can head north or south on the Mississippi River and explore the river and the river communities along the way.
Durand Boat Landing
Located in Lower Chippewa View Park, the Durand Boat Landing is right on the Chippewa River. This landing puts you further up the Chippewa from the Mississippi River and makes for a shorter ride if you plan on heading northeast toward Eau Claire. The Chippewa River runs through many State Natural Areas, including Nine Mile Island, Five Mile Bluff Prairie, Tiffany Bottoms, and more, so the views from your boat will be unmatched. If you head out in a fishing boat, the stretch between Durand and Eau Claire through Nine Mile Island has some great spots for fishing.
Lake Pepin Public Boat Ramp
If you’re interested in a day of fun on Lake Pepin, then the Lake Pepin Public Boat Ramp in downtown Pepin might be the best landing for you. The lake offers some great places to dock and grab a bite to eat or do a little bit of shopping at the unique boutiques and shops in the surrounding communities. Lake Pepin is also one of the best waterways in the area for tubing and water skiing, being the place where the sport of water skiing originated. The Lake Pepin Public Boat Ramp is easily accessible and is a great landing for getting in and out of the water easily.