EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement
on Form S-8 of Baylake Corp. of our report dated January 21, 2004, relating to
the consolidated balance sheets of Baylake Corp. and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the related consolidated statements of income,
changes in stockholder equity and cash flows for each of the years ended
December 31, 2003, 2002, and 2001, which report appears in Baylake's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.


Madison, Wisconsin                          /s/ Smith & Gesteland, LLP
March 9, 2004                               SMITH & GESTELAND, LLP