Pepin ramps

Never fished Pepin/P4 before but it’s on the list to check off this year. Bought the fishing hot spots map to get some general info on it and was looking over the ramps and am curious what they mean by landings being for ‘small craft’ only? Like canoes and F14 type boats small, or less than tuna boat small? For example they show the maiden rock campground as a small boat only landing For reference I have a lund 1600 pro sports on a Karavan roller trailer.

Most likely be taking my wife/son along on these trips and she wants nothing to do with heavy current or being within site of a dam so will most likely be fishing more in the ‘middle’ stretch of the pool

Hok-si-la ramp and lake city ramp are the two I use.

Maiden rock is probably the worst landing on pool 4. Especially at normal or low flow. You drive through 40 yards of sand then you have to drive your entire vehicle into the water another 30 yards while hopefully not getting stuck, then crank trailer towards upstream and hope you have enough deep water to get your boat launched.

Ah, would explain why I had a hard time telling where the launch was in Google earth.

It does seem like the ramps on the MN side are nicer in general after checking them out on Google earth.

I’d be coming up from La Crosse area so it’s not like it’s much of a difference in time whether I come up 35 in Wi or 61 in MN.

I’ve used all the landings below to fish the lake:

-Pepin (by Pickle Factory, Pickle and Garden Pub are solid food options, can get busy on weekends)

-Lake City (south end of town, tougher with an east or NE wind if you aren’t experienced)

-Hok si La (north of Lake City, short dock, disaster for many when you get a north or northwest wind, otherwise works fine)

-Wabasha Public Landing (4 protected ramps but still gets busy on weekends, 5-10 min ride to the lake, extremely rough in the channel on weekends with big cruisers)

-Stockholm WI (never busy, plenty deep, overlooked by most, but no dock)

-Maiden Rock (IMO this isn’t even a boat landing just a beach, don’t attempt this without 4wd and a boat that is over 16’ and light enough to lift)

Thanks bucky.

I use the Pepin ramp a bit and it can get crowded parking can be a problem as many pleasure boaters use this ramp it is one of the better ramps. If you don not mind the drive Lake City has some great ramps and puts you about in the middle of Lake Pepin. Can be very good fishing not far either up or down the Lake.

If you do not mind a boat ride you can also put in above the dam in Alma very nice ramp there is a $5 charge and there is some great fishing in that area.