Hello,

Any midwesterners paddle through the winter? Since late February I have been paddling on the Mississippi. I have been launching in a sea kayak from either the Lake St Launch (west bank MPLS Rowing Club dock) or from Hidden Falls Park boat launch.

I tried launching on the MN river from Fort Snelling the other day but the dock is gone for the winter and there is ice (of dubious quality) blocking the access. I think I could get in but have no idea the depth of the water beyond the ice and worry about not being able to land.

In past winters I have paddled in December and January as well. I have had success launching from Bohemian flats on the Mississipi as well but it's a pay lot so I don't love that launch. I checked that launch out recently and there is ice all the way up to the river so it seems sketchy.

Anyone paddle anywhere else in the winter? I have interest in trying winter paddling on Lake Superior but am unsure where to launch. I called Sawtooth outfitters and they said some of there guides Kayak through the winter and have been launching at Black Beach. Apparently the drift ice comes in and out depending on the wind which can block access to the water. I have checked webcams and conditions vary greatly site to site. It looks like one may be able to launch somewhere in Two Harbors but there is ice right up to the main dock.

Curios if there are other diehards out there. Ice out on (non great Lake) lakes seems way to long away to wait for so any open water is of interest to me.

Do you wear a drysuit?

Yup. Not as much this winter as my paddling partner and I both had flu/bronchitis at different times. We were off the water for 7 weeks. But we always enjoy the lack of human company on the river this time of the year; we have plenty of wildlife to keep us company, though.

Check with BeaV. (do a search and get his e-mail info) Some years he has paddled the Mississippi and Superior in preparation for the March Florida Everglades Race. This winter he seemed to have trouble finding open water and decent landings.

TominMpls: "Do you wear a drysuit? "

I was expecting this question. I personally do not feel the need to use a drysuit. I fully understand the risks of cold water/air temperature when it comes to immersion. I feel ok with the risk for a couple of reasons. First and foremost I am very aware of my abilities. I only go out on days where there is little to no risk for capsizing. So far on the Mississipi I have never encountered conditions, even on strong wind days, where I had even the slightest fear of capsizing. I do wear a wetsuit and dress for immersion which means I am usually overheating most days. This at least gives me a shot if I do capsize (no guarantees though).

If I was to paddle on Superior the risk would be much greater. The weather is extremely fickle and landings, even in the summer, are hard to come by. During the winter I would imagine landings are rare. With good judgement though I don't think I would be insane to paddle superior in the winter without a drysuit.

I paddle superior quite a bit in the "warmer" months. The air temps are certainly much higher but Superior rarely warms up much so cold water immersion is still a huge concern. So far I have never had any scares in just a wetsuit. I feel comfortable on pretty big waves and I just don't go out if conditions look bad.

To me its a personal decision I feel comfortable making. I would never suggest a new paddler to take these sort of risks. But with skill and good decision making I don't think it's to crazy.

Also although I love canoeing I almost always go out in my sea kayak for winter paddling. They are way more stable and you stay completely dry with a spray skirt and a decent top layer.

I paddle year round as well in Northern WI but I live directly on a river that generally only freezes over when the temps exceed 10 below for extended periods, when it does freeze a few days near 10 above and it will open back up bank to bank due to the current and the unusually large amount of springs that feed into it. There is only about a five mile stretch that remains open year round. The water is about 60' from my back door if I had to pack up and drive somewhere I don't know how often I would realistically get out.

Kudos to all of you who venture out there. I get cold just looking at the winter water.
Enjoy!

The kinnickinnic river is usually open during normal winters. I have paddled it in every month. Not a good river for Kevlar boats, many rocks.

A few pics from this Mississipi this year.

All pics are from the St anthony falls to ford dam pool. Very nice one to paddle as there is no major motor boat traffic. Just the rowers (and their motorized coaching boats) and a couple ships that launch from Bohemian flats. Nice place to paddle with its beautiful gorge setting.

When the temps drop much below 45 I am switching from the Magic to my Tsunami 145. The Des Moines river runs to my west and south about a mile away and has several docks or places I can carry down to from parking lots. Going north I get great nature, especially eagles and south I get an urban skyline. When there is ice the formations make awesome viewing and as the ice goes off migratory birds offer an ever changing experience, even over the same waters.
I do not have a wet suit and have not been too concerned. This time of year I can wade across at most spots and usually the water is only a couple feet deep. I carry a back up warm jacket and gloves in a dry bag, just in case.
I paddle for the exercise and the serenity, why give it up because it gets cold out there?

I paddled the Apple River a couple of weeks a ago. I also paddle the Hay starting in March. I like it to be 45 or better. I bring a dry bag with a change of clothes, and the water is only 2 - 3 feet deep in most places. Getting in and out can be challenging. Usually an ice shelf to deal with.

HayRiverDrifter: "I paddled the Apple River a couple of weeks a ago. I also paddle the Hay starting in March. I like it to be 45 or better. I bring a dry bag with a change of clothes, and the water is only 2 - 3 feet deep in most places. Getting in and out can be challenging. Usually an ice shelf to deal with."

Where is the Hay River?

I'm in St Cloud, and about 60rods from the Mississippi. It freezes solid here, though, so no paddling. Winter is XC ski season :)

Paddled again yesterday. Beautiful day, light winds, still little current to fight. Lots of signs of migration. Saw canadian geese, mallard ducks, bald eagles, hooded mergansers, and common mergansers. One of the things I love about paddling this time of year is how well you can see the nuances of the terrain. Lots of rock formations are visible that are normally blocked by the leaves on the trees. The sandstone along this stretch of the Mississippi is very pretty despite the propensity for people to carve into it or to graffiti it. One of the cons of urban paddling for sure.

A few pics from yesterday:

nooneuno: "Where is the Hay River?"

Well I know it as that crick outside of Almena.

nooneuno: "

HayRiverDrifter: "I paddled the Apple River a couple of weeks a ago. I also paddle the Hay starting in March. I like it to be 45 or better. I bring a dry bag with a change of clothes, and the water is only 2 - 3 feet deep in most places. Getting in and out can be challenging. Usually an ice shelf to deal with."

Where is the Hay River?"

Western WI. I paddle from Wheeler WI. Going tomorrow.