Mecan River
This is one of the twistier and smaller rivers in Central Wisconsin, but is a super paddle. Thanks to the clear calm water it can seem like you’re paddling on air.
Trip Reports
Mecan Springs Boat Ramp to 9th Ave

Date Paddled: October 6th, 2019
Distance: 3.9 miles (2.1 miles if paddled directly)
Time: 5 hours 19 minutes (atypical...expect 2 hours)
This was a great trip that explored the spring-water origins of the Mecan River.
Read More...Cumberland Road to 11th Road

Date Paddled: October 8th, 2017
Distance: 3.9 miles
Time: 3 hours 35 minutes (2.5 hours would be more typical)
Rarely paddled, the far upper Mecan has a few obstacles but also some of its best scenery, with almost perfect water clarity and beautiful white pines.
Read More...11th Road Bridge to JJ Road Bridge

Date Paddled: September 21st, 2014
Distance: 3.7 Miles
Time: 2 hours 26 minutes (2 hours would be more typical)
Despite the Mecan being a popular paddle, this section is often overlooked and undeservedly so. This is a fine wilderness paddle and one of the clearest rivers in southern Wisconsin–a must paddle for south central Wisconsinites (you “northerners” already have lots of these type of rivers). Put-in: Very good bridge put-in at 11th Road. Small […]
Read More...Cty Hwy Y to Hwy 22

Date Paddled: May 19th, 2012
Distance: 10 Miles (Svob is wrong at 7)
Time: 5 Hours
About a half hour north of Portage is a nice little river in the Mecan. This is a popular kayaking river and it is easy to see why. The water is very clean and the banks are largely undeveloped and wild. The current is unexpectedly strong and there are a few riffles you’ll get to […]
Read More...Germania Marsh Dam to Hwy N

Date Paddled: July 12th, 2015
Distance: 6.26 miles
Time: 3 hours 32 minutes
A classic south-central Wisconsin paddle with nothing too exotic, but still very pleasant with nice water quality and attractive wooded tree canopies.
Read More...Overview Map
Detailed Overview
Generally speaking, the further upstream you go on the Mecan, the better. Upper Mecan segments tend to have less mud, better current, better clarity, and more attractive shorelines.
- Mecan Springs to 9th Ave: 1.4 miles.
- Mecan Springs Boat Launch to Hwy GG: 0.6 miles. The river starts as a spring fed lake sandwiched between two moraines. This is a neat lake paddle with clear water and visible springs located mostly along the western end. Trip length can be expanded by 1-2 miles if you explore the various bays throughout the lake.
- Hwy GG to 9th Ave: 1.4 miles. The first mile of the river has a few snags to dodge, but is super scenic with nearly perfect water clarity.
- 9th Ave to Hwy 21: 2.3 miles. Satellite maps indicate there could be many logjams and portages.
- Hwy 21 to Cumberland Road: 2.3 miles. Satellite maps indicate there could be many logjams and portages.
- Cumberland Road to 11th Ave: 3.9 miles. A great section with fast current, clear water and scenic white pines. A few logjams to portage but not bad.
- 11th Ave to Hwy Y/JJ: 3.7 miles. A fantastic section and my favorite on the entire river.
- Hwy Y/JJ to Hwy 22: 9.8 miles.
- Hwy Y/JJ to 14th Ave: 2.8 miles. One of the better and more popular sections of the river.
- 14th Ave to Dixie Ave: 2.5 miles. A very nice section that partly flows through the “Mecan River Pine-Oak Forest State Natural Area”.
- Dixie Ave to Dover Ave: 2.0 miles. An ok section, but not as good as upstream sections. More open and slower, with fewer pines.
- Dover Ave to Hwy E: 1.8 miles. River starts to become less interesting but is still ok.
- Hwy E to Hwy 22: 0.7 miles. Nothing special about this section. Open and somewhat simple.
- Hwy 22 to Duck Creek Road/Electric Fence: 4.2 miles. More open and not as interesting, but the river does flow through a state natural area. Access to Duck Creek Road may be restricted.
- Duck Creek Road/Electric Fence to Dam: 1.6 miles. River turns into flowage pond and marsh. Take-out is on a small access road off Hwy N.
- Dam to Elk Road: 6.3 miles. The most popular section on the Lower Mecan.
- Dam to Hwy N: 5.2 miles. River turns into a flowage pond and marsh. Take-out is on a small access road off Hwy N.
- Hwy N to Elk Road: 1.1 miles. The river completely moves east creating a really cool corridor.
- Elk Road to Hwy 23: 2.4 miles. Traditionally a section with many logjams, this does get cleared out periodically by the local livery. Hwy 23 is a poor access option.
- Hwy 23 to Hwy C: 2.7 miles. Again, this usually has logjams but they are often cleared out by the locals. Hwy 23 is a poor access option.
- Hwy C to Mouth: 1.1 miles. Simple open stretch leading to the Fox River.
- Mouth to the Princeton Locks: 3.1 miles. An uninteresting stretch on the Fox River.
For further information on the Fox River, see my Fox River review.