Water Recreation

Fishing

The Mississippi and Wisconsin river backwaters offer excellent fishing for panfish, bass, northern pike and walleye. There's an accessible fishing pier at the boat landing.

Boating, canoeing and kayaking

A boat ramp is available in the park for launching boats. Motorboats are permitted. Rental boats are available from businesses near Bagley and in the Prairie du Chien area. The state park doesn't have a beach, but Wyalusing Recreation Area, 2 miles south of the park entrance, has a beach as well as a boat landing and picnic area. There's a municipal swimming pool in Prairie du Chien.

A canoe trail through the river sloughs offers a unique way to see the waterfowl, aquatic plants and diverse animal life of the river bottomlands. The trail begins and ends at the park boat landing. Canoes and kayaks can be rented from the park concession in season.

Canoe trail (6 miles)

Wyalusing State Park maintains a marked canoe trail through the backwaters of the Mississippi River. The 6-mile water trail starts at the boat landing. The canoe trail goes north and south from the boat landing and stops at the main channel of the Mississippi River. At the main channel paddlers can then turn around to get back to the landing. More experienced paddlers may be interested in taking the main river channel to connect the two halves of the trail. Blue and white canoe trail signs are posted at every major intersection of the back waterways to direct paddlers along the trail. There are no signs at the end of the sloughs leading back to the canoe trail, so look for signs at intersections. All watercraft must be equipped with a Coast Guard-approved lifesaving device for each person aboard. Wearing of these devices at all times is recommended. Rental canoes and kayaks are available at the park concession stand in season.