Mertes Slough

Mertes Slough near Fountain City offers convenient access to a scenic backwater area of the Mississippi River in Wisconsin's Upper Mississippi River Valley. The ramp provides entry to the slough itself, which is typically cut off from the main river except during flood periods, making it an ideal location for paddlers seeking calmer, protected water. The main Mississippi River here is a major waterway with substantial flow (averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second) and considerable current, so paddlers should plan accordingly if accessing the main channel.

This location is particularly popular with anglers fishing for bass, northern pike, and panfish in the slough's quieter waters. The site is also frequented during winter months for ice fishing. Paddlers should be aware of poison ivy in the shoreline vegetation. With the slough's isolation from the main river current during normal water levels, Mertes Slough is best suited for recreational paddling, fishing, and exploring protected backwater channels rather than long-distance river travel.