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The Kettleson Hogsback Complex offers boat ramp access to East Hottes Lake in Spirit Lake, Dickinson County. This access point features a gravel boat ramp suitable for small watercraft, including kayaks and canoes. To reach the ramp, take Highway M-49 to the Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area entrance road, then turn north and follow the paved driveway approximately 1/4 mile to the West Hottes Lake boat ramp.
This 2,000+ acre complex is one of the largest and most diverse wildlife habitat areas in northern Iowa, encompassing multiple lakes, marshes, grasslands, and forests set within distinctive glacial moraine terrain. Beyond paddling, the area offers excellent birding opportunities with nearly 300 recorded species, plus over 2.5 miles of hiking trails, including the scenic 3-mile Hogsback Trail. Paddlers should expect calm lake conditions suitable for recreational boating and wildlife viewing. The area's glacial landscape and extensive natural habitats make it an excellent destination for nature-oriented water recreation.