Badfish
Old Stage Road to Casey Road (6.7 miles)
| Difficulty | I(II) |
| Length | 6.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 6 fpm |
| Gauge | Badfish Creek Near Cooksville, Wi |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 115 cfslow runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 3, 2025 |
River Description
Quick Facts:
Location: approximately 24 miles south from Madison.
Shuttle Length: 1.4-8.8 miles.
Character: Rural stream with swiftwater and atypically steady flow (See NOTE in 'River Features').
Uppermost put-in is approximately 867' elevation.
Lowest listed put-in is approximately 811' elevation.
Take-out is approximately 800' elevation.
General Overview
A couple of minor rapids (normally just class I) and a few rocks to dodge are the highlights of this small twisty creek. Beginner paddlers from the Madison area find this a handy place to practice in moving water.
It is possible to use different put-in and take-out points for trips of various lengths.
Gradient is relatively negligible on all sections of this stream, so we are not calculating gradient for each option of put-in/take-out.
NOTE: I have received a word of caution that Wild Parsnip is very common in the area. Summer boaters are warned to become familiar with this plant and its effects in order to avoid its unfortunate consequences. ('If the plant juices come in contact with skin in the presence of sunlight, a rash and/or blistering can occur, as well as skin discoloration that may last several months.' 'Sometimes the area that was burned takes on a dark red or brown discoloration that can last for as long as 2 years.') Two excellent sources for information are Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine or the Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide.
River Features
CTH.B
At least a few hardy explorers have ventured to put in this far up (though they largely recommend against bothering to do so). This is technically not the Badfish River, but is the 'Oregon Branch'.
Sunrise Road
(Merely a waypoint.)
Hwy.138/Cooksville
Hwy.59 (Western Crossing)
(Merely a waypoint.)
Hwy.59 (Eastern Crossing)
Old Stone Road
(Merely a waypoint, for anyone bothering to start upstream of our recommended put-in.)
Casey Road *****
Generally the most-recommended take-out.
Old Stage Road *** Recommended Put In***
Parking is available just west of the bridge crossing. A brief carry brings you to the water.
Leedle Mill Road
(Merely a waypoint.)
Riley Road
(Merely a waypoint.)
Hwy.59 (Yahara R.take-out)
Some paddlers extend their trip to the confluence with the Yahara River, paddling downstream a bit on it to a landing at Hwy.59.
Take Out: N.Casey Road
Take out.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThere are two put-ins above 59, Cooksville, Old Stage road and the other a little further up at Old Stone road. Here the Badfish offers the same type of beginner friendly moving water as the listed stretch. These can be combined in to a longer run, maybe 5-7 miles total depending on which you choose. I would recommend them over putting in at 59 because the latter two put-ins are both in protected hunting grounds instead of by the highway. The put-in at Cooksville is on a highway, 138, but at least its not as busy.