St. Martin Island Forestry Trip
Earlier this summer, Pat Nelson, an Inventory Forester contracted by the Department of Nature Resources (DNR), reached out to FOPPI to ask if we could transport him to St. Martin Island to inventory a 1/6-acre plot.
The primary challenge was determining how to access the island safely. We considered several options, including towing a boat or Zodiac, launching canoes or kayaks off The Shoreline, and navigating into the tricky harbor on the southwest side. After extensive discussions with Frank Gercz (USFWS, retired), Scotty Nelson, and others, we decided that the safest approach was the dock on the southwest side of the island. Although Frank was the only one who had been to the dock recently and couldn't join us, he assured us there was a good, if somewhat zig-zaggy-channel leading into it. He drew a map for Scotty to help us navigate.
With our route set, Pat Nelson, Jon Wall, Tim Feist, Doug Smith, Scotty Nelson, and I departed Gills Rock at 8:00 AM on September 2 (2026). The weather was ideal—70 degrees with ENE winds at 5–8 mph—for our 18-mile journey. We traveled up the west side of Washington Island, past Boyer's Bluff, and then took an 80-degree heading toward St. Martin.
About half a mile from the dock, we spotted the flagpole and the ferry ramp, which had been built by previous owners to haul supplies, vehicles, and a large Kohler generator (which is still there). We approached parallel to the dock wall heading east for about 100 yards before making a 90-degree turn to port (north) toward the flagpole on the west edge. When the depth finder briefly dropped to 4–5 feet, we turned to port and safely found 9–10 feet of water. We tied up on the outside wall of the massive L-shaped dock, which was in great shape and easily 150–175 feet long.
Once docked, Pat geared up with an impressive array of equipment, including a satellite radio configured to signal the DNR immediately in case of an emergency. While Jon and Tim were fully prepared to hike with him, Pat explained that he had done this many times and preferred to go solo to move more efficiently. We stayed in touch with him via text as he set off using GPS toward the southeast portion of the island.
While Pat worked, the rest of us explored the shoreline around the dock and the old fishing camp. The site was quite remarkable, featuring several cabins, a kitchen and dining cabin, a large outhouse, and rusting wagons once used to transport fuel and supplies up from the water. One cabin even had paper plates nailed to the walls with the names and dates of past visitors. We also spotted several eagles, a variety of birds, and numerous monarch butterflies resting on the dock during their south-bound migration.
Almost exactly three hours later, Pat texted to let us know he was on his way back. He returned at 1:30 PM and shared details of his survey. His route followed part of an old two-track trail for about 3/4 of a mile, requiring him to navigate through storm-downed trees and overgrown brush. The plot itself was in relatively good condition, and he measured and recorded the health of all trees (mostly silver maples) over 6 inches in circumference.
With rumbles of thunder echoing to the south, we were glad to get underway. Winds picked up on the return leg, creating some following seas, but The Shoreline handled the chop well.
We made it back to Gills Rock in about 1.5 hours, safely ahead of the storm. Pat mentioned that the next inventory for this plot won't take place for another seven years—a bit of a disappointment since we would all jump at the chance to make this an annual trip!
It was a great opportunity for FOPPI to support the study of forest health on St. Martin Island. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to any of us who made the trip.
Stiles Meredith and The Shoreline crew: Tim Fiest, Scotty Nelson, Jon Wall and Doug Smith.
Note: St. Martin Island is part of the Green Bay National Wildlife Refuge and, at this time, is not open to the public.
The Shoreline is available to book for out-island trips such as this. View our charter options here.
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