Welcome Aboard!

Come ride with us and get away to it all!

June 27 thru September 1

September 2 thru October 6

October 7 thru October 24

October 25 thru December 5

December 6 thru Freeze Up

Madeline Island Ferry Line

2008-2009 Ferry Rates | tel: 715.747.2051

Getting to Madeline Island

Madeline Island is 4 hours from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, 9 hours from Chicago and 1 3/4 hours from Duluth. Once you arrive in Bayfield, the shores of Lake Superior open up to you as you get ready to take the 25 minute ferry ride to the perfect island paradise. Directions

Ashland, WI	25 miles
Duluth-Superior	90 miles
Minneapolis-St Paul	220 miles
Winona	240 miles
Eau Claire	180 miles
Green Bay	265 miles
Milwaukee	370 miles
Madison	320 miles
Chicago	465 miles

Ferry History

The transportation of people and freight continues today, as it has for over 150 years. The wooden steamers of yesterday have given rise to the steel hulled diesel-powered vessels of today. Madeline Island Ferry Line continues the long distinguished tradition of providing ferry service between Madeline Island and Bayfield.

Ferry Transportation History

Motor Vessel History

Travel Green

Madeline Island Ferry should soon be a part of the "Travel Green Wisconsin" program.

Environmental Statement

Madeline Island Ferry Line has a strong commitment to natural resource protection. It is our goal to continuously improve the environmentally sustainable methods already in place such as an active recycling program, fuel saving and streamlined maintenance practices. In addition we are introducing new energy-saving and environmentally healthy systems into our organization.

MIFL's Energy Conservation Practices

• Vessel engines are run at low RPMs for significant fuel savings
• Vessel engines are turned off when dock idle time exceeds 10 minutes
• "Puridyne^TM" oil filter systems on the three largest vessels greatly extend the useful life of the engine oil
• Vegetable-based hydraulic fluid is used on all vessels
• Low power fluorescent lighting in passenger terminal, shop area, office, and outdoor parking and loading areas
• Programmable thermostats
• South-facing windows in passenger terminal for passive solar heat
• Open windows in summer instead of air conditioning
• An active recycling program
• Green cleaning products are used
• Computer equipment is put in "sleep mode"
• Composting program for landscape waste
• Native and drought-resistant plants used for landscaping along with soaker hoses and mulch
• Lower magnetic card fares for customer driving compacts (cars less than 17 feet long)

Energy Saving Tips for MIFL Customers

• Throw away all trash items in provided recycling receptacles
• Reduce...Reuse...Recycle
• Turn off your vehicle while riding the ferry

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where is Madeline Island?
  Madeline Island is located at the very northern point of Wisconsin on Lake Superior. Located 90 miles east of Duluth MN; 450 miles north of Chicago, IL; and 320 miles north of Madison, WI.
• How do I get to Madeline Island?
  Madeline Island can be accessed via private boat, airplane or Ferry. Madeline Island Ferry Line boat landing is located in Bayfield. WI and provides service from March or April until freeze-up, weather permitting.
• How do people get across during the winter?
  Once the ferries stop running for the winter, there is a passenger-only windsled (see picture above) that travels on a limited schedule. The windsled is used until the ice road is considered safe enough for cars and light trucks to travel. The windsled is used again in the spring when the road is deemed unworthy of travel but the lake ice is too thick for the ferries to cut through.
• Where are the Ferry docks located?
  Madeline Island Ferry Line docks are located at the northeast end of Bayfield. Turn east unto Washington Ave off of Highway 13.
• How long is the Ferry ride to the Island?
  The ferry ride takes approximately 20-25 minutes.
• How far across to Madeline Island?
  From mainland dock to Island dock the distance is approximately 2.5 miles.
• How fast do the Ferries travel?
  On average the ferries travel about 10 knots per hour or about 12 miles per hour.
• How big is Madeline Island?
  Madeline Island is 14 miles long and 3 miles wide.
• Is there a place on the Ferry where I can stow packages if I don't take my car with me?
  Each ferry has a site where packages can safely be stowed while crossing. Please ask the boat crew for the appropriate location before stowing.
• Can I bring my pet onto the Ferry?
  Yes, as long as the pet is on a leash or properly kenneled. Pets are not to be left unattended while on a leash.
• Are the Ferries capable of transporting RV's or other over-sized vehicles?
  Yes, the ferries are able to transport most anything that can travel down the road.
• Are reservations required?
  No, vehicles and pedestrians are loaded on a first come first served basis. (Exemptions are for Semi-trailers, dump trucks etc. or pre-arranged tour groups).
• How far in advance should I be in line for a specific scheduled crossing?
  The general rule is approximately 10-15 minutes for the typical trip.
• What are the busiest scheduled trips?
  Monday through Friday the busiest trips are 7:30 am leaving Bayfield and 4:30 pm leaving Madeline Island.
  Thursday and Friday evenings leaving Bayfield are busy during the summer months.
  Sundays leaving Madeline Island; mornings until about 3:00pm is typically the busiest. Extra boats run to accommodate the rush.
• Do I have to sit in my car while on the Ferry?
  No, you do not need to occupy your vehicle during the crossing. Please let the boat crew know while you are being loaded that you would like to be able to get out of your vehicle. There are various passenger cabins and outdoor seating available on each ferry.
• Do I drive my own vehicle onto the Ferry?
  Yes, however a boat crew member will direct you to a specific parking spot.
• Can I smoke while on the Ferry?
  No, smoking is not allowed on the ferries whether in your vehicle or standing on the deck.
• If I don't bring my car over to the island, what can I do while on the Island?
  The community of LaPointe is located at the end of the ferry dock. There are shops, restaurants, churches, museums, lodging, real estate, hiking trails, grocery stores, beach, coffee, bike and moped rental, mini-golf and many other points of interest within walking distance. There is a guided bus tour starting July 5th until August 27th.
• What is the difference between the State Park and the Town Park?
  The Parks are located at opposite ends of Big Bay on the east side of the island. The Town Park is owned and operated by the Town of LaPointe, the State Park is part of Wisconsins State Park system and requires a State Park sticker for admitance.
• Can I rent a bike on the Island?
  Yes, there is a bike and moped rental shop within 2 blocks of the ferry landing.
• How deep is the water in the Ferry channel?
  The lake depth at its deepest during the crossing is between 157-163 ft.
• When do the Ferries stop running for the season?
  Most winters, mid-January the ice gets too thick for the ferries to run through and the windsled season begins. Ice road closed, windsled traffic only
• Is there somewhere to park my car in Bayfield?
  There is parking throughout the town of Bayfield; most street parking has a 2 hour limit. There are various lots that will allow overnight and up to 2 week parking.
• How many cars can fit on the Ferries?
  MV Bayfield will hold 25 cars
  MV Madeline will hold 18 cars
  MV Island Queen will hold 14 cars
  MV Nichevo II will hold 9 cars
• How can you see when its foggy?
  While fog causes a navigation hazard, all ferries are equipped with radar and compass for safe navigation. All ferry Captains are US Coast Guard trained and certified.
• Do the Ferries ever stop running because of bad weather?
  Not often, each ferry has a different hull design and responds differently to various weather and wind direction. If one ferry is unable to land safely due to wind or wave conditions, another ferry may be better equipped and is then used. More often then shutting down, there may be a reduced schedule. If in doubt as to weather conditions, please call 715-747-2051 for possible schedule changes.
• Do the Ferries run on a cable?
  No, each ferry is equipped with diesel engines.
• Where are the public boat launches located?
  Madeline Island Yacht Club has a boat launch as well as in Bayfield at the town marina and at Black Hawk harbor.
• How many people live on the Island?
  Year round resident population is about 275, however in the summer it increases to about 2800-3000 with cabin dwellers and vacationers.
• Is there transportation from the airport to town?
  No, there is no readily available transportation, please make arrangements with your place of lodging prior to flying to the Island.