Visit Winona’s Short List: Top 5 Paddling Spots
You probably know about the Boundary Waters in Northern Minnesota, but did you know Winona is also home to some of the best paddling in the United States? Between an ample number of put-in spots and dozens of public islands for pitching a tent, it would be nearly impossible to come up with a comprehensive list of all the wonderful places in the Mississippi River backwaters to explore in your self-powered watercraft. And while there is an abundance of great camping spots available, if you like the idea of spending all day in quiet and beautiful backwaters but still relish the idea of having a bed to sleep in at night and restaurants to dine in at the end of your long day on the river, Winona is the spot you’ve been looking for.
Rob Brault is an English professor at Winona State University, but around town he is widely known as an expert paddler and canoe builder. Rob first hit the water in a canoe at 8 years old, but it was his first trip to the Boundary Waters with a biology class that solidified his love of paddling. He built his first canoe, Vingilot, in 1987, and has since built others. Rob has also led multi-day paddling excursions with students and community members. We asked Rob where he’d suggest visitors hit the water around Winona. These 5 places made his Visit Winona Short List!
1. Lake Lodge Recreation Center
Paddle with ease thanks to the City of Winona’s Park and Recreation Department that manages this seasonal rental hub at East Lake Winona. Whether it is kayaking, canoeing, paddle-boarding, biking, log rolling, long boarding, or just taking in the beautiful view, Lake Lodge is sure to offer an experience that floats your boat. Daily watercraft rentals and seasonal memberships at an incredibly reasonable rate are available to residents and visitors alike.
Our city-owned campground offers the easiest access to Mississippi River backwater trails than you have ever seen. Explore the Black Bird Slough canoe trail either on your own, or with a guide, and observe wildlife up close within the forested backwaters. This is a very family-friendly, beginner paddle and connects to a beautiful sandbar facing the Winona bridge and main channel of the Mississippi, depending on the season’s water level. Didn’t bring your canoe/kayak? No problem—you can rent them for a few hours or the whole weekend at the Prairie Island Campground store seasonally.
Perrot State Park, where the Trempealeau River meets the Mississippi River, offers breathtaking views from 500-foot bluffs. The river bank and surrounding wetlands provide wonderful habitat for the many migratory birds that travel through this area twice a year. Explore Trempealeau Bay as the voyageurs did on our 3.4-mile looped canoe trail. The trail is marked by blue/white directional signs and takes about 2-3 hours to complete. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent at the park headquarters. There is an adaptive kayak and launching chariot also available through the rental program. Please call the property for more information.
A great place to launch a boat, kayak or canoe, McNally Landing provides access to Polander Lake, a well-known fishing spot with wide open water. Lower McNally Landing, located below the spillway, sets you into a popular boating channel with lots of little nooks and crannies to explore.
5. Mertes Slough / Latsch Island
Formerly known as St. Mary’s Bottoms, the US Fish and Wildlife Service bought the area in the 1980s. This peaceful and majestic spot, less than 5 minutes from Downtown Winona, allows for great birdwatching, fishing, and relaxed paddling. No gas-powered motors are permitted, making for safe and enjoyable canoeing and kayaking.
Latsch Island is on the other side of the highway from Mertes Slough. There, you’ll find a large public beach on the Main Channel of the Mississippi River, a public park, and paddling on the backside of the island, you’ll be treated to views of Winona’s famous boathouse community.
More Links:
- American Canoe Association Best Practices for Paddlers
- Basic Canoe Safety: Paddling.com
- US Coast Guard – Boating Safety
Looking for additional regional put-ins? Don’t miss the fantastic canoe routes out of Merrick State Park as well as the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge, both in Wisconsin.
Happy Paddling!