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Boating The Apostle Islands have long been a mecca for boaters and sailers. The island's protected bays, public docks, pristine beaches, historic sites and natural beauty offer outstanding boating opportunities. Here are a few tips to help insure a safe, enjoyable trip. Keep In Mind- Wind shifts, fog, sudden squalls and storms can occur suddenly. Monitor current weather conditions and marine weather forecasts.
- Carry a marine radio and monitor marine channel 16.
- Maintain at least a 100-foot clearance around pound nets used by commercial fishermen. These nets can be recognized by their tall wooden posts and the long lead net extending from the pot toward shore.
- Boaters should stay at least 100 feet away from flagged net buoys and/or floating plastic jugs marking the location of commercial fishing nets.
- Be wary of shoal areas and use caution whenever beaching a boat. NPS and U.S. Coast Guard boats cannot provide towing except in emergencies.
At the Dock - Space is reserved at some docks for NPS and park concession (tour) vessels. Remaining dock space is available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Please be courteous and allow as much space as possible for other boats to dock.
- Side-to-side and Mediterranean mooring of vessels is not allowed.
- Please observe quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.
- For safety, the use of portable stoves or grills is not allowed on docks or on vessels tied to a dock (outside of galley areas). Bears and other wildlife may be attracted to grills at any location. Do not leave grills and food unattended. All food, cooking utensils and garbage must be secured in locations that are inaccessible to wildlife.
- Swimming within 100 feet of any dock or from vessels secured to docks is not permitted.
- Visitors should refrain from bathing with soap directly in Lake Superior.
- Please check posted regulations upon arrival at any dock. All dock regulations will be strictly enforced by park rangers.
On The Lake - Refer to NOAA Charts #14973 or #14966 for navigational purposes.
- Do not exceed your boat's carrying capacity.
- An appropriate type/size of personal flotation device (PFD) is required for each person aboard any boat. Regulations require that children under thirteen years old must wear a PFD aboard a vessel when it is underway.
- Each boat must have a fire extinguisher, whistle or horn, marker lights, and a manual bailing device.
- It is unlawful to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Polluting or contaminating park area waters is prohibited. Take all trash back to the mainland.
- To protect nesting birds, boating within 500 feet of Gull and Eagle Islands, and the north and northwest shore of Otter Island is prohibited from May 15 to September 1.
- Nesting bald eagles are also very sensitive to disturbance. Do not approach within 500 feet of any active eagle nests
At Anchor Every year, wind and waves drive anchored vessels aground on the Apostle Islands. To protect yourself and your boat, keep in mind... - Always try to anchor on the lee side of an island.
- All vessels at anchor are required to exhibit anchor lights from sunset to sunrise
- Keep a crew member on anchor watch if adverse weather threatens.
- The minimum scope of your anchor line should be seven times the distance between your boat's deck and the bottom of the lake where you are anchored.
- Set the alarm on your depth sounder to alert you if your anchor begins to drag.
- Keep anchored vessels clear of approaches to docks and harbors.
Kayaking Many people come to the Apostle Islands seeking the adventure of exploring the area by boat. Closed-cockpit craft such as sea kayaks have become very popular for travel among the islands. Operating small craft on Lake Superior is fun and exciting, but can also be hazardous. The most important prerequisite for a safe trip is good judgment. Boaters must know their equipment, know their limits, and respect the environment. Weather Lake Superior is renowned for its cold temperatures, rough seas, fog, and sudden squalls. Boaters should monitor marine weather forecasts and be constantly alert to changing conditions. Average daytime high temperatures range from 60 degrees Fahrenheit in May, to the upper 70s in mid-summer, to the mid-60s in September. Average lows vary from 40 degrees in May, to the upper 50s in mid-summer, to 50 degrees in September. Average water temperatures in May and June are only in the 40s. Even in late summer, surface temperatures rarely exceed 60 degrees, except in protected bays. Average summer winds blow at from 5 to 20 knots with waves of from one to four feet. Winds of 30 to 40 knots and 6 to 12 foot seas are possible. Equipment The National Park Service recommends that kayakers use wet suits or dry suits when paddling in the Apostles. This is especially important in spring and fall when the risk of hypothermia is high. Regulations require boaters to carry one U.S. Coast Guard-approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD) for each person on board. Boaters should prepare for possible weather delays by packing provisions for at least one extra day. The National Park Service also strongly advises boaters to also pack such items as: a marine radio, cell phone, first aid kit, extra paddle, self-contained stove, insect repellent, compass, maps, 50 feet of lashing line, rain gear, waterproof matches and dry storage containers. It’s also recommended that all boaters use the Apostle Islands Lake Survey Charts #14973 or #14966. These charts are available at park headquarters in Bayfield. Sea kayak rentals are also available in Bayfield. Paddling Concerns Sea kayaks ride low in the water and are difficult for other boaters to see. Brightly colored boats are more easily seen than those that blend with the surroundings. Bright colored clothing can also improve visibility. Sea caves are enticing but can be very hazardous in rough seas. Rebounding waves can make boat handling difficult. These shorelines offer few safe landing sites and should only be visited when conditions are calm. It is easy to underestimate distances between destination points. Allow plenty of time to accomplish your intended route. Paddle no more than 10 miles per day if you’re a beginner or 15 miles per day if you’re a seasoned paddler. Be sure to inform a friend or relative of your travel plans so that someone will notice if you are overdue. Park rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard monitor marine channel 16. Try to notify a park ranger if conditions force you to change your plans. Island Ethics Apostle Islands National Lakeshore offers boaters the opportunity to experience and enjoy a variety of natural and cultural features. Paddlers must do their part to help protect park resources. Beaches are some of the park's most popular attractions. They also support fragile plant communities. Camping within 100 feet of the shoreline is not permitted unless in a designated campsite. Please walk near the water line or on established trails and take care not to trample beach grasses and lichen. Campfires are not allowed at Julian Bay beach on Stockton Island, on Raspberry Island beaches, or on any beaches adjacent to campsites with fire receptacles. Be prepared to pack out whatever you pack in. Try to leave no trace of your visit. Fishing The Apostle Islands and surrounding area offer anglers opportunities to catch Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, and Coho Salmon. A Few Reminders For Prospective Fishermen Weather conditions on Lake Superior can change rapidly. Keep current weather forecasts in mind and do not ignore obvious weather signs. If your boat is of unsuitable size for anticipated weather conditions, do not go out. Be sure that all required safety items are on board. A Wisconsin fishing license and Great Lakes trout/salmon stamp are required for fishing in the park. Season dates, closed areas, line and fish limits as well as certain method restrictions are enforced by both the National Park Service and State officers. What's Biting? Spring Season (Ice-Out to Late May/Early June): The best dates for this fishing varies from year to year, but during this period the water temperatures near shore attract large numbers of trout and salmon. The spawning of Steelhead (Rainbow) Trout and Rainbow Smelt further enhance the fishing. Popular angling areas at this time include many points along the Bayfield Peninsula from Ashland to Port Wing. The best areas are usually adjacent to good spawning streams such as the Sioux, Onion, Pikes, Cranberry and Flag Rivers. Around the islands, the north side of Long is particularly productive. Other areas worth trying include the shorelines of Basswood, Hermit and Oak Islands. At this time of year, casting lures from shore may result in good catches since most fish are found in water from 10 to 30 feet deep. Summer Season (Mid-June through August): Generally, near-shore water temperatures will be too warm to host trout or salmon. Fishing during this period takes place in deeper water with Lake Trout being the most commonly targeted fish. Trolling (dragging lures behind a boat) is probably the most popular and successful method of catching trout and salmon in the Apostle Islands. A very popular and productive "sportfishing only" area has been established by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources between Madeline and Long Islands. The area around Sand and Eagle Islands, or out near Cat Island can also yield successful results. Fishermen should not approach within 500 feet of Eagle Island during this period so as not to disturb colonies of nesting birds on the island. Fall Season (September through November): Favorable shore temperatures and spawning runs of both trout and salmon species create good fishing in many of the same areas listed for spring fishing. Scuba Diving Clean, clear water, underwater rock formations, and fascinating shipwrecks combine to provide outstanding diving opportunities at Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. Things To Know Before You Go To help keep your dive safe and enjoyable, consider the following: - A permit is required for all diving within the waters of the National Lakeshore.
- Lake Superior is famous for violent weather. Monitor current weather conditions and marine weather forecasts.
- Check the latest near-shore marine forecast in season.
- Water temperatures vary with the season. Surface temperatures can reach 70 degrees F in summer, but even then divers will find underwater temperatures in the 40s and 50s. A full quarter-inch wet suit is recommended. Dry suits should be used in spring and fall
- Visibility normally ranges from 10 to 80 feet, but can be reduced to zero under certain weather conditions. Murky runoff after storms can cloud visibility near mainland sites.
- Diving parties should be know CPR and emergency procedures. Carry an adequate first-aid kit including an oxygen delivery system.
- In an emergency, contact a park ranger. Rangers and the U.S. Coast Guard monitor marine channel 16.
- All boaters should use NOAA Charts #14973 or #14966 for navigational purposes.
- Licensed charter dive boat service is available in Bayfield. Lake charts are available at the headquarters visitor center in Bayfield.
Dive Sites Sea Caves and Cliffs Sandstone caves carved into shoreline cliffs by wave action. Visibility varies due to erosion of clay soils into the lake. Calm conditions necessary for access. Depths: 10 to 25 feet. - Devils Island, north end.
(WGS 84) N47 04 51.2 W90 43 46.7 - Sand Island, northeast side.
(WGS 84) N46 59 26.5 W90 55 31.9 - Stockton Island, northeast side.
(WGS 84) N46 57 24.7 W90 30 27.6 - "The Wall" Submerged sandstone ledges dropping into deep water. Depth: drops sharply to 100+ feet. Location: Stockton Island, southwest side.
(WGS 84) N46 54 11.1 W90 38 10.1
Historic Docks Submerged dock cribs near sandstone quarries active in 1890s. Depths: 4 to 25 feet. - Basswood Island, southeast side.
(WGS 84) N46 49 53.0 W90 45 22.3 - Stockton Island, southwest side, near "The Wall".
(WGS 84) N46 54 29.9 W90 37 34.8 - Hermit Island, south side.
(WGS 84) N46 52 54.6 W90 40 43.8
Shipwrecks - Lucerne (Schooner) Background: 195 feet in length; sunk in 1886. Features: The hull is intact and upright on the sand bottom. Cargo of iron ore still visible around the wreck. Visibility varies from 5 to 40 feet depending on weather. A current of about 2 knots is common. During the boating season, there is a mooring buoy placed for public convenience at the site. Depth: 25 feet. Location: Long Island, northeast side, outside park boundary.
GPS N46° 43.389' W90° 46.035' - Noquebay (Schooner Barge) Background: 205 feet in length; built in 1872; burned and sunk in 1905. Features: Large sections of wooden hull, scattered wreckage, boiler and ship's wheel. Sand bottom, good visibility. During the boating season, there is a mooring buoy placed for public convenience at the site. Depth: 10 to 15 feet. Location: Stockton Island, Julian Bay.
GPS N46° 55.568' W90° 32.717' - Sevona (Bulk Freighter) Background: 373 feet in length; built in 1890; sunk in 1905 Features: The ship broke in half, portions of the stern's twisted steel hull and cargo of iron ore remain. Depth: 20 to 25 feet. Location: Sand Island shoals, outside park boundary.
GPS N47° 00.410' W90° 54.520' - Pretoria (Schooner) Background: 338 feet in length; built in 1900; sunk in 1905. Features: Flattened massive wooden three masted schooner-barge. Depth : 55 feet. Location: Northeast of Outer Island, outside park boundary.
GPS N47° 05.36' W90° 23.66'
Regulations - Diving Permits: A National Park Service Diving Permit is required for diving within park boundaries, which includes all waters within one quarter mile of the shore. These free permits are available at park headquarters in Bayfield.
- Resource Preservation: Do not remove any artifacts. They are a unique and irreplaceable window on Superior’s past. Exploring these treasures is not only fun and exciting, but allows you to glimpse a few pages from one of the most colorful chapters in the Apostle Islands' story. All underwater cultural sites and artifacts are protected by law. Possession and use of underwater metal detectors in the park is also prohibited.
- Dive Flag: Dive sites or boats must be marked with the standard diving flag (white diagonal stripe on a red background) or the "Alpha" flag (blue and white) whenever divers are in the water.
- Anchoring: When diving on a shipwreck, avoid setting your anchor into the wreck itself.
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