Last week on the Kayaking in Wisconsin Facebook page, someone asked where the best places to kayak in Door County.  I answered, “everywhere”, and then gave some of my favorites.  Yes, I’m kayak fishing for smallmouth bass much of the time, but Becky and I get out for recreational kayaking on a regular basis.

On the lakeside Moonlight Bay is great and so much fun to head out around the Cana Island Lighthouse.  You can launch on County Q at Rieboldt Creek.  Heading north there’s a kayak launch by the Rowleys Bay Resort and paddling the Mink River is not to be missed.  There are three inland lakes in Door County and our favorite to paddle is Europe Lake at the north end of Northport State Park, with a very nice launch.

Heading across the to Green Bay side, to the north is Garret Bay with a great launch and shipwreck nearby.  Kayaking under the bluffs is one of our favorite things to do.   I’d suggest Ellison Bluff in Ellison Bay and Eagle Bluff in Peninsula State Park.  We also love kayaking in Sturgeon Bay itself launching at Sunset or Otumba Parkes and paddling by the huge ships, under the bridges, and getting up close with the tugboats. 

Do a little research with Google Maps or find out where the shipwrecks are.  Many are close to shore like the City of Glasgow, a short paddle from County Roads TT or T.  It’s only about 4 feet under the surface in fairly shallow water and about 75 yards from shore.  There are many roads in Door County that dead-end at the water.  These are nice places to launch, just as long as you park off the road.

These are just a few of the truly amazing places to kayak in Door County and as I responded to that question about the best places to kayak in Door County, it really is everywhere!  If you have any questions, please email me at kayakfishingwisconsin@gmail.com