Find the top rated fishing trails in Germantown, whether you're looking for an easy short fishing trail or a long fishing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a fishing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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The trail starts unassumingly in a residential neighborhood to the north and winds its way through Carthage College before bursting out of a canopy of trees into a spectacular, unobstructive view of Lake Michigan. The trail hugs the coast and meanders through a series of gorgeous parks. Just when your senses have almost reached their limit, you find yourself riding along Harbor Park filled with an assortment of sculptures, museums, and marinas. The Park is electric!
This was the most enjoyable ride I have ever taken. I will be back!
There are two cautionary notes, however.
1. The city roads between Poerio Park West and upper Alford Park are in horrible condition. Maybe avoid this northern section altogether.
2. The trail that goes south from the 50th Street bridge as you enter the Harbor is actually a staircase. I missed it the first time, but realized it on my return. There is a very steep embankment with a thin bike path next to the stairs, if you want to risk it.
The 10-foot wide asphalt surface is still in good shape. The trail hugs the road at the north end, but eventually disappears behind suburban backyards under a wonderful canopy of trees. There are a few pesky road crossings, but not bad. The trail is short, but flat and easy to ride. This is a great connector to the Kenosha County Bike Trail or the Kenosha Pike Bike Trail.
This recently completed trail now runs all the way between Watertown and Oconomowoc! Eleven plus miles of really nice asphalt, passing thru farm fields and crossing the Rock River -- it is a treat. I rode a full round trip twice in the last weeks, and it was great. Check out the great Mexican dishes at Taqueria Maria's in Watertown, just a mile or two past the Watertown trailhead. Try it out!
But we had a nice road ride from just N of the power plant (good bathroom at the park) to the southern end of Kohler-Andrea S. P. Shady, mostly good road shoulders, about half marked for bike lane or fog line and 3’ paved shoulder. Some turns not marked with bike route signage so watch your GPS. Maybe 4 or 5 vehicles per mile. Only actual trail is 50 yards at SP entry. Beyond SP no shoulders so tuned back, got about 14 miles
The surface of this 8-foot wide trail seems to be crushed stone over an older asphalt base. It is a little tougher to ride than the typical crushed gravel surface. There are some "soft" spots throughout the length of the route, but still manageable. The trail is relatively flat with an occasional grade change. The scenery is mostly suburban backyard with a touch of industrial to the west. There is very little shade to protect you from the sun, but the openness is refreshing. Although most street crossings have minimal traffic, please take caution when approaching them. This is one of my "go to" rides.
I accessed the Powerline Trail at Cold Spring Road off of the Oak Leaf Trail. My ride on the new trail was very enjoyable and I found the route to be very pleasant passing by a number of neighborhoods. Compliments to the City of Greenfield and We Energies for their efforts to build this trail.
The route has a mix of crushed gravel at both ends and a nice wide asphalt trail in the middle. Be careful going through Saller Woods in the village of Rochester. The trail has been scarred by runoff, the gravel is loose and the hills are steep. Like a child clutching tightly to it's mother, the trail hugs Highway 36 for much of the ride. Although most of the trail is concealed by trees and brush, the sound of cars could still be heard. The trail in Burlington ends at a very nice park that has bathroom facility, water fountain and picnic tables under cover for a nice place to have lunch. The best part of the trail was "The Bunker." This bar & grill has a unique military-theme inside and outside its walls including a Vietnam Guard Tower and other military equipment.
I biked from the starting point just south of downtown West Bend to the endpoint in the village of Eden. The surface of the trail for the first 5 miles in West Bend was nicely paved. The trail during this stretch was 12' wide and smooth. The canopy of trees not only provided a good supply of shade, but it also created a park-like ambience. There were many photo opportunities in downtown West Bend, especially next to the Museum of Wisconsin Art building. There were a couple of busy roads to cross, but the worst was Washington Street (Hwy 33). Take Caution!
The trail changes to a hard-packed crushed stone just north of downtown West Bend. The trail narrows to 6' wide most of the way to the endpoint in the village of Eden. There is an occasional road to cross, but these were not heavily traveled. The village of Kewaskum provided a needed change of scenery and a nice rest stop.
The first two bridges I encountered in West Bend were new, but the rest of the bridges on the trail were heavily patched and, quite frankly, in need of replacement. Overall, the ride was peaceful and fairly easy.
The route was part road and part asphalt trail with a short section of crushed stone to keep it interesting. The asphalt trail surface was in better condition than some sections of the road. The signage, which could have been better, tested my navigational chops. In the end, though, I enjoyed the adventure. The route takes you right into downtown Racine. Beware the sidewalk section along 12th street. The center gap between concrete sections is wide enough to trap a smaller tire and bring the cyclist to an abrupt stop.
I rode the trail from Rosewood to Elkhorn. Most of the trail was flat and peaceful. Some of the crushed stone was washed away between Lyons and Burlington. Most of the trail surface was solid, but there were a few soft pockets where the stone accumulated from the wash out. Getting from the east section to the west section was tricky with no signage, but I was able to navigate the route using my i-phone GPS. If you like a flat, peaceful ride, then this is the trail for you.
We accessed this trail from the Lakeside Park trail. We were a little unsure of where to go until we got the areas which were well marked. It’s mainly city roads but there is a wide bike path off the road most of the time. Lots of neat old buildings.
This connected us to the Pioneer Trail which has 2 interesting roundabouts at the beginning of the trail. More city riding but you can stay off the street on the sidewalk.
Then we connected up with the Camelot trail. This trail starts out in the suburbs, you go past a pond and through a park. More peaceful ride.
Then you ride on a bridge over Hwy 45 / Fond du Lac Ave to get to the south end of the Prairie Trail which is by the Fond du Lac Waterworks Water Tower in a residential neighborhood.
We did this trail as part of the Fond du Lac loop trail system by going in a counterclockwise direction and following the Fond du Lac Loop signs.
We started on the north end of the Prairie trail at the Park N’ Ride/ Prairie Trail Lot on Winnebago Drive just off Hwy 151.
We took a right at the fork to bike the Peebles trail which ran into the Harbor view trail. We then took a detour through Lakeside Park on the Lakeside park trail. Then ended up going through the city on the Brooke street trail which ran into the Pioneer trail, another city trail. Which in its turn ran into the Camelot trail which took us over a bridge to the other end of the Prairie trail. A very nice loop. The trails are color coded and pretty well marked.
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