Just wanted to ask about navigation of the wi channel from mr sippy to bay city flats this time of year. Watch outs? I know once the water level comes up it will be better. Is there major things to watch for and how accurate would the Navionics map chip be?
I ran it a month ago. It isn’t a navigational channel so watch out for everything.
The chip is not very accurate in the least bit in most places. There’s a new bar near the cabins that is VERY shallow. Like FB&RM said, watch out for everything. Your depth finder can only tell you so much, as many of the bars or obstacles arise before your transducer even finds them…Once you run it a few times, you’ll know where to avoid. There’s plenty of deep water back there, you just need to stay in it….
There’s a new bar near the cabins that is VERY shallow.
That “new” bar changes each year.
I hear what your asking Giz but there is no way a person could explain the back channel safely unless the water is high enough that it doesn’t matter where you go. What’s a good route today might not be tomorrow with one sunken tree moving slowly down stream underwater.
Heck even the most experienced river rats lose skags and props…ask @redneck !
I had two experienced rats take me though the back channel a number of years ago. My heart rate still increases when I’m back there. 
Run it carefully I ran my waypoints this weekend I ran dozens of times all last summer and hit going downstream in a spot I never would have thought yesterday. It was a stretch that was 1.4-1.9 feet deep the entire way through it
So what I’m hearing is the maps are useless and risk is high. I know common sense comes into play but the risk is high. I think I will assure to wear life vest and go slow. Thanks everyone
My heart rate still increases when I’m back there. )
Reminds me of fishing the MN river around Mankato. Wind er up & Cross your fingers and hope for the best! Except the Wisconsin channel is child’s play in comparison, though still great for a ding or better.
A number of years ago this fella had a new skeeter and when down the back channel.
He hit something a developed a leak. His auto bilge pump just kept on running. Back at the launch and once on the trailer he pulled out a fairly large rock out of his haul. He ran into the closing dam and with some luck the rock stayed in the glass to (sorta) plug the hole.
If you are going, don’t go by yourself. Stay to the outside bends, speed is never good (unless you know what your getting into) and keep an eye on funny looking water. There is something below it making it look funny.
Without speed, you aren’t going to die back there…you might spend some money though.
I once tore a hole in my hull of my 16′ alumacraft on the MN river. Pretty big thunk… At WOT water would spray between when the floor and where side walks met floor.
Could’ve called it a bidet if you squated with your pants down
Took some weld!!!!
I once hit a log in 30′ on the MN. That was the only one that surprised me, but hitting logs was pretty much a guarantee on any trip.
Reminds me of fishing the MN river around Mankato. Wind er up & Cross your fingers and hope for the best! Except the Wisconsin channel is child’s play in comparison, though still great for a ding or better.
I learned to boat on the MN River around Mankato in my 14′ duck boat…You’re right, it’s child’s play in comparison. I learned the hard way to bring a spare prop, hub and all tools to make the switch on shore…How my skeg is still in one piece is something I’ll never understand.
Come to think of it, maybe that’s why there’s multiple leaky rivets in that boat?…Either that or the stump I hit in the Miss backwaters last year…
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Merican Eagle wrote:</div>
There’s a new bar near the cabins that is VERY shallow.That “new” bar changes each year.
I hear what your asking Giz but there is no way a person could explain the back channel safely unless the water is high enough that it doesn’t matter where you go.
Heck even the most experienced river rats lose skags and props…ask @Redneck !
I had two experienced rats take me though the back channel a number of years ago. My heart rate still increases when I’m back there.
An maybe.? Ask Dean Marshall. 
Can someone tell me if Colville launch is open yet?
Can someone tell me if Colville launch is open yet?
One side has been for a while. Other side not sure.
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