Summertime in Wisconsin is an absolute treat for residents and visitors.
It’s this small annual window of time – roughly May through September – to put away the snowpants, break out the swim trunks and enjoy as much time on the water as possible.
A few ways to enjoy this sliver of sunshine and warmth include kayaking, wake boarding, tubing, fishing – charter, inland, and river – and simply chilling on a beach.
Racine County offers just about every water activity you could possibly imagine.
Start east along the shores of Lake Michigan, you’ll find avid charter fishermen who travel every year to enjoy catching some large lake trout and salmon. First in Fishing Charter Owner, Josh Keeran launches from the Racine harbor regularly.
“Today was a great example of some great summertime fishing in Racine, Wisconsin,” said Keeran “This coho (salmon) that we caught today would have been by far the number one fish in the coho division for Salmon-A-Rama.”
Salmon-A-Rama is an annual fishing competition that draws thousands of anglers to Racine. Captain Shane Lemke is another charter captain who’s been enjoying Lake Michigan since he was a child.
“I’ve been fishing ever since I could walk and talk basically,” said Lemke. “There’s nothing more exciting than sharing that love for the outdoors.”
Just because you’re on Lake Michigan doesn’t mean you have to have a line in the water. Scott Monroe, general manager of Racine Riverside Marina takes 10-15 people out every week on his sailboat, so they can experience the hard work and joys of sailing Lake Michigan.
“The Great Lakes are an incredible place and when you live in Racine, it’s at your fingertips,” said Monroe. “I do get to live my dream in Racine County. It’s pretty awesome.”
In addition to charter fishing and sailing, Racine also provides seemingly endless miles of Lake Michigan beach. North Beach became Wisconsin’s first beach to be designated as a Certified Blue Wave clean beach by the National Clean Beaches Coalition in 2004.
Since then, this gem has received many national accolades, including:
- "25 Coolest Midwest Lake Vacation Spots" (Midwest Living magazine, 2022)
- "Best Beach in Wisconsin" (FamilyDestinationsGuide.com, 2021)
- Best Wisconsin beach in "51 Great American Beaches" (USA Today, 2012)
- "Top 10 Family Friendly Beaches" (Parents magazine, 2011)
- "Dr. Beach's Top Beaches on the Third Coast" (Dr. Stephan Leatherman, 2011)
Head west you’ll reach the Fox River, where water enthusiasts enjoy kayaking and fishing – both fly and conventional. The Village of Waterford a small town on the the Fox River, attracts anglers and ‘yakers (kayakers) seeking to get away from the nearby cities of Chicago and Milwaukee, to enjoy the peace and quiet of this natural community. Beth Morawetz, owner of Fox River Canoe Adventures & Kayaks, said she completely understands why so many people love traveling to this area.
Head just a few miles southeast of Waterford and you’ll reach Burlington, a charming community that boasts beautiful rivers, lakes, forests, and trails. Burlington’s Browns Lake is a 397-acre body of water, that Ted Van Hoesen, and his wife Destiny, say is their “happy place.”
“There are enough people to make you feel like you’re a part of something else, which is part of being a boat owner – you want to see other people enjoying the water with you, said Ted. “But it’s not overly crowded.”
Residents and visitors can also catch a spectacular performance by the Browns Lake Aquaducks every Thursday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Destiny said, “We end a lot of our days on the lake and it’s just the most relaxing way to just get away from everything.”
People from Wisconsin know how important it is to take full advantage of summertime, and one of the best ways to do that is getting out on the water. Whether you’re reeling in a keeper miles off the City of Racine Shoreline or enjoying the peace and quiet of paddling the Fox River, Racine County is the perfect place to enjoy life on the water.
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Without the financial support from the Village of Mount Pleasant Tourism Commission, projects like this would not be possible. To learn more about the Village of Mount Pleasant and its efforts to increase tourism and talent attraction, follow the link below.