Manitowoc

the surf wave morphs at really high water levels and turns to this.

Access for PnP at 'upper' Cato Falls is very handy from the Sportsman's Club. I have used that a couple times, finding no one there to ask nor to take issue with our presence. At least a couple times I have found folks in the clubhouse/bar, and they were absolutely fine with me parking there and accessing the river. Generally I have found many private property owners (or in this case, groups) in Wisconsin to be quite amenable to allowing such access (and 'short term' parking), as long as one is as courteous and 'up front' as possible when explaining what you wish to do and asking for their permission. Of course, I have usually done so for pretty-much 'one time' (or once in a blue moon) access. It could be a different story if you plan on doing so a number of days in a row, or every time the river is at a playable flow. And, there is always the possibility that some individual associated with the Sportsman's Club, at some time, could be less amenable to allowing this access (especially at times when there may be club activities on the grounds) in which case one should be prepared to politely excuse one's self and move on.

Has anyone contacted the sportsman's club at upper cato to ask if PnP is ok via their land?
As far as playable...there are some side surfs and couple of small waves at 800 cfs (I uploaded a short video of one of the waves, didn't get any footage of the side surfer.). Of course at 800cfs the lower cato has a bigger wave with easy eddy access.
This was our first time to the river, and it was pretty sweet considering not much else was running.

Bryan runs Lower Cato Falls, at 800 cfs.

Brendon surfs some of the small waves of the upper cato.

The approach to Lower Cato Falls.

The grotto and pool below the falls.
Looking upstream at Oslo Dam.
Looking downstream at Oslo Dam, showing the wave-train and the pool.

I float this strech alot with my friends in early spring, always do-able at 4'11' or higher E-mail for conditions valgon01@yahoo.com

it is a great shelf. scary girl when ice breaks