For those of you who don’t read all the different forums Everts ramp is closed for the next few days. To much work to keep it open.
If you want to read the announcement check the Mississippi river forum.
Hi Dutchboy
Thank you for passing the word for us. It is not that it is to much work to keep it open during these cold snaps, it just does not make sense. Between fuel and labor we would spend $100 a day minimum to keep the ramps open just to do it again the next day. I know there are some diehards in here, I am one of them, but nobody is going to go out in this weather. If you were paying the bills would you spend $1200.00 ($100 per day x 12 days they will be froze in) to keep the ramps open and not make a single penny? Maybe, but you would not do that for long and stay in business.
So, here are the facts. Our downstream ramp is usable and we will be happy to salt it and open it up if anyone can not fight the urge to fish during these frigid temperatures. The other ramps will be open the afternoon of Wednesday, January 6th (the first sign of the weather breaking). Meanwhile, we will be at the resort everyday remodeling a cabin and answering the phones if you have any questions.
Thank you for helping us spread the word, we really appreciate it:)
Glad to help. 
Just thought it would gather more eyes posted in the general discussion. Thanks for clarifying.
Is the WI Back Channel Ramp open?
I do not know today if it is open. As of yesterday the ramp and Wisconsin channel was froze from shore to shore.
Looks like they have the bubbler going today.
Anyone ever throw an icehouse in the boat before 
I haven’t seen the fella with the 12′(?) boat that had canvas cover over the top for a few years. It was completely enclosed except for two holes where the angler sat. They had a heater going below which kept the roasty toasty including their hands if kept below the canvas.
They wouldn’t be standing up and moving around to net a fish but it was clearly the walleye’s meow for winter river fishing!
Looks like they have the bubbler going today.
Yup there is bubbler going right now. There is some ice out from the ramp but nothing serious. Right at the ramp there is some ice that the bubbler hasn’t taken out yet. Looks like you could chisel that ice out standing on the docks. From the back channel ramp upstream if it freezes over it wont stay that way long.! There is always enough current there an warm water from the nuke plant to keep it open most of the time. I lived right across from the ramp at the Mr Sippi for 9yrs. I saw the back channel every day for 9 winters. If the channel froze over it would be open again in 1 to 3 days 95% of time. So when the weather warms up some the ramp should ready to go. . rrr
Where is this back channel ramp at?
If your leaving Red Wing towards WI on Hwy 63 the first bridge is the main river channel. The second bridge is over the WI back channel. Right before that bridge is the WI Back Channel Ramp.
The Mr Sippi is right across the river.
If your leaving Red Wing towards WI on Hwy 63 the first bridge is the main river channel. The second bridge is over the WI back channel. Right before that bridge is the WI Back Channel Ramp.
The Mr Sippi is right across the river.
The Mr Sippi is a great place to stop to get warmed up! an they have courtesy docks for your boat. Even if you are not cold it is a nice place to stop an get a cold one a pizza an some fishing BS. … rrr
That jogged my memory….been back there in the boat a time or two. If I remember, there is a little cut through creek that can connect you over to the main channel on the south side of the high bridge.
I wasn’t brave enough to go through it but ventured through with Marty Hahn on a guide trip once.
there is a little cut through creek that can connect you over to the main channel on the south side of the high bridge.
The racetrack is white-knuckling for first timers, specially in low water times at speed, when it’s the most fun.
The racetrack is white-knuckling for first timers, specially in low water times at speed, when it’s the most fun.
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Yeah, Marty went through that thing at about 30 mph. I was terrified but he obviously knew what he was doing.
Is the WI Back Channel Ramp open?
YES IT IS! . As of today the back channel RAMP is OPEN. It is completely ICE Free. The back channel its self is ice free as far as you can see both up stream an down stream. . rrr
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Matt not being a WI back channel expert, I take the back channel slowly. There is so much to see back there.
I trim my motor up and putt along staying to the outside bends. There’s a sandbar with power lines over head that in low water conditions are pretty much impassable unless a person knows what they are doing.
The wildlife back there is awesome in the spring!
Is the WI Back Channel Ramp open?
It has been wide open until this cold snap. It is not open at this time. When it gets a little warmer it will open up in 2 to 3 days. I will be watching it an when it is open again i will post it here. . rrr
Thanks Rrr!
FYI leaving from the bcr a person can go left, or up stream and your on the main river channel. Going right, or down stream there are a number of cuts and lakes that I would recommend either going slow or have someone with you that knows the backwaters.
With all the messages I’m getting I thought I would cover the cost here.
This Ramp is maintained by the Piece County Parks. Annual cost is $30. I’m not sure what the daily fee is. Maybe someone else can pipe in.
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$5.00
Is the WI Back Channel Ramp open?
The back channel is ice free from the ramp up stream as of yesterday Jan. 15th. There is a small piece of ice right in front of the ramp today, but the 1st boat to launch can move that out of the way. That ice mite gone by tonight on is own. For sure it will be gone some time tomorrow. . rrr
I’ve used that ramp twice since I’ve been fishing P4 and I’ve hit something with my motor both times.
In my mind there is no reason to use that when you have Evert’s fantastic facility just a short distance away.
ET
Other than the channel is closer and cheaper and the parking is easier?
Eric, there is a closing dam between the ramp and the main river channel. Normally the low spot in closing dam is marked by two buoys.
If by chance the buoys are not there, just look at the ripple that goes over the closing dam. There’s less turbulent water in the middle and that’s where the low spot is.
I would still trim up the motor while going over it.
PS good fishing around that closing dam.
Everts and the newly revamped back channel ramp with docks is the only two places I can think of to launch on upper pool 4. There is less current in the backchannel at anytime of the year. I know current bothers some.
Other than the channel is closer and cheaper and the parking is easier?
Not sure what you mean here? Depends where you want to fish I suppose what is closer. And having bait and tackle available makes Everts much cheaper for me as I don’t have to drive out of my way to get these items. So it’s more convenient. Plus for where I come from, getting to back channel is further down the road. So I’d have to drive further to reach an inferior ramp with no services, no camraderie, no nothing!
Parking can get tight at Everts on busy weekends but they do a good job shuttling you around.
Has anyone been out lately? Thinking of maybe going down Friday and Saturday
I’ve used that ramp twice since I’ve been fishing P4 and I’ve hit something with my motor both times.
In my mind there is no reason to use that when you have Evert’s fantastic facility just a short distance away.
ET
Remember NOT ALL BOATS that launch at the back channel GO UPSTREAM. It is by far faster to get to the main channel by going down stream an out thru 2nd cut. That will bring you out about a half mile below the Red Wing NO WAKE ZONE an the HIGH BRIDGE. . rrr
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