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Wisconsin | Central Wisconsin
Wisconsin RiverPine Island Boat Ramp to Highway 33 Landing / Portage
Short lower Wisconsin River sandbar-and-island day route from Pine Island Wildlife Area to Portage, supported by WRT, Miles Paddled GPS points, DNR access/no-camping rules, and the Wisconsin Dells gauge.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Paddle the Wisconsin River from Pine Island Boat Ramp to the Highway 33 / Portage access for a short sandbar, island, and side-slough day route. Use the Wisconsin Dells gauge and avoid assuming any island camping is legal.
Access map
Put-in
Pine Island Boat Ramp off Levee RoadPine Island Boat Ramp is the DNR-supported Levee Road launch for the wildlife area; confirm current access, road condition, and parking rules before unloading.
Take-out
Highway 33 Landing / Portage accessThe Highway 33 access is a carry-in style Portage landing in the WRT/Miles Paddled route context; Sunset Park may be easier depending on water level and group needs.
Road shuttle
Stage the Highway 33 / Portage take-out first, or use Sunset Park as an easier alternate if the carry-in landing is awkward. Then drive back to Pine Island Boat Ramp on Levee Road and verify the DNR wildlife-area rules before launch.
Additional access notes
- Do not camp on Pine Island Wildlife Area lands, Wisconsin River islands, or sandbars within the property boundary.
More route and safety guidance
- High water can erase sandbars, speed up side channels, and make island eddies harder to exit. Low water can strand boats on shallow bars.
- Stay alert for wind, motorboat traffic near Portage, strainers on island margins, and private-bank limits.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Dells, WI. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Wisconsin River near Wisconsin Dells, WI |
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| Preferred range | 4,000 cfs to 8,000 cfs |
| Low threshold | 2,500 cfs |
| High threshold | 13,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Wisconsin River Trips / Miles Paddled Wisconsin Dells gauge context |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Route-specific guide6.0 miles
Wisconsin River Trips documents Pine Island Boat Ramp to Hwy 33 Access as a 6.0-mile Wisconsin River route with sandbars, islands, side sloughs, and relative solitude.
- Endpoint coordinates43.54304, -89.58245 to 43.53563, -89.47351
Miles Paddled lists GPS points for Pine Island boat landing off Levee Road and Highway 33 Landing at Portage.
- Access and camping ruleLaunch supported; camping prohibited
Wisconsin DNR lists Pine Island Wildlife Area canoeing/boating and a boat launch on Levee Road, while prohibiting camping and overnight parking on the property including Wisconsin River islands and sandbars.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-222720 cfs / 2.01 ft at 2026-07-22 13:00 CDT
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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All 12Nearby routes within 75 miles
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