Maple River State Game Area Blair Road West Boat Launch

This is a dirt launch, not concrete, so it can get rutted and slick after rain. Big trucks tearing it up doesn't help. Give it a look before you commit — if it's been a wet week, you might be wrestling your trailer more than you'd like.

The Maple here is more backwater than river — wide, slow-moving, almost no current. Water can get stagnant and a bit smelly in the warmer months. Great for kayaks and small boats, but don't expect to fight any current. Walleye, smallmouth, and pike are all in here.

People camp and have fires near the launch area and don't always clean up after themselves. There's been enough litter and ramp damage that DNR closure is a real possibility. Do yourself a favor and scout the ramp surface for debris before backing down.

During the week this place is practically deserted — 15 trailer spots is plenty. Weekends bring campers and party groups, and it gets noticeably busier. If you want the river to yourself, a Tuesday morning is a different world from a Saturday afternoon.

Even if the fishing is slow, the wildlife alone is worth the trip. Eagles, osprey, sandhill cranes, great white egrets, beavers, mink — it's stacked. Dawn or dusk from the shelter with a long lens is about as good as it gets for bird photography in Clinton County.