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Lake Michigan Launch Ramps |
Chicago: Diversey Harbor has a powerboat only launch ramp at Diversey Yacht Club. At Burnham, on the west side of the harbor next to harbormaster’s office, is another ramp. A powerboat only ramp is located at Jackson Inner Harbor, north of the Southern Shore Yacht Club on Richards Drive.
Hammond: The Hammond Marina has a fully protected launch ramp and features courtesy docks that reach out into the harbor and provide for easy launching and de-launching.
East Chicago: There is a launch ramp at East Chicago Marina.
Portage: Launches are available at Portage Public Marina for a $10 fee and at Doyne’s Marine for a $6 fee.
Michigan City: Two public ramps are at the Washington Park Municipal Marina: the Trail Creek ramp is for larger boats and is located off of Michigan Boulevard; a second ramp is in the basin next to Washington Park and caters to smaller boats.
New Buffalo: There is a public ramp to port about 100 yards upriver from New Buffalo Municipal Marina. Head west over the fixed bridge on Whitaker Street and turn right into the parking area. There is a fee, though it varies based on if your boat is registered in or out of state.
St. Joseph: A large DNR ramp is north of Pier 1000 Marina with a similar ramp directly across the river. There is a public ramp on east side of the St. Joseph River, about one mile south of Eagle Point Harbor.
South Haven: There are 10 municipal launch ramps at Black River Park for a $7 fee.
Saugatuck & Douglas: Saugatuck has a public ramp in the downtown area at River Market on Water Street. In Douglas there is one near the S.S. Keewatin and one at Schultz Park off I-196.
Holland: Kollen Park has launching facilities and there is a DNR launch ramp immediately west of Anchorage Marina that charges a small fee.
Port Sheldon: There is a DNR launch ramp located off of Lake Shore Avenue, one mile away at the east end of Pigeon Lake. Still in the planning stage is a two boat launch ramp at the Port Sheldon Launch on Pigeon Lake.
Grand Haven: There is a boat launch at the Grand Haven Municipal Marina, as well as one on Harbor Island, just west of US-31, south of the drawbridge. A pass is required to launch your boat, and can be purchased at the launch ramp.
Muskegon: Torreson Marine has a launch ramp for an $8 fee.
White Lake: The City of Montague has a public ramp immediately south of Ellenwood Landing Marina that charges $10. The City of Whitehall has a public ramp east of Ellenwood Landing Marina, just past the bridge at the mouth of the White River. It is free of charge but only intended for small boats as the bridge has a low clearance.
Pentwater: There is a public launching area east of Charlie’s Marina as well as one across the lake on the south side.
Ludington: Public launches are located on the beach north of the Coast Guard station; to starboard as you enter Pere Marquette Lake, past the private docks; and near the entrance to the Ludington Yacht Club.
Manistee: At the mouth of the harbor on the south side of the Manistee River, the First St. municipal launch area has eight launch lanes with a $5 fee.
Portage Lake: Portage lake has a public boat launch and a barrier-free restroom located in the municipal marina on one side of the small boat harbor.
Arcadia: There is a hard-surfaced ramp with sufficient water depth to accommodate most boats as well as 24 parking spaces.
Frankfort & Elberta: The Frankfort Municpal Marina has 115 parking spaces and one launch ramp. The ramp costs $4 and uses the honor system for payments.
Leland: In Fishtown, just west of Main Street, is the Leland Harbor, a township owned harbor with a public boat launch, a covered picnic area and a playground.
Northport: At the foot of Nagonaba Street off M-201 is the Northport Marina. It has launch ramps as well as transient accommodations, gasoline, diesel and restrooms.
Suttons Bay: The Suttons Bay Marina on Front Street in Suttons Bay has hard-surfaced ramps with sufficient water depth and lake size to accommodate most boats
Traverse City: For a $5 fee, you can launch from the Clinch Park Marina, which is just off of Union Street at Grandview Parkway in Traverse City. Four miles northeast of Traverse City there are paved ramps at East Arm able to accommodate most boats. Three miles northwest of Traverse City off of M-22 on West Bay is the Elmwood Township Marina that also features paved ramps as well as 182 parking spaces.
Acme: See Traverse City for nearest ramps.
Elk Rapids: The launch area of Grace Memorial Harbor is located at the southwest point of the harbor where the breakwall meets the shore.
Charlevoix: A public boat launch, accessing Lake Charlevoix, with ramps and ample parking is located next to Ferry Beach, at the end of Stover Road off M-66. An additional ramp with parking accessing the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix is located in Ironton off M-66. There are two boat ramps with parking, accessing Lake Michigan, at the end of Lake Shore Drive near the St. Marys Cement Company on Lake Michigan, and on US-31 north of Lexalite.
Beaver Island: Beaver Island Marina has one paved launch ramp.
East Jordan: The East Jordan Sportsmans Park Municipal Ramp on the South Arm of Lake Charlevoix has one paved launch ramp. A little north on the east side of the South Arm is Dutchman’s Bay which has two concrete launch ramps.
Boyne City: In June of 2004 the F. Grant Moore Municipal Marina had a 30 foot expansion added to the existing dock to improve launching conditions for larger boats. There are two launching lanes here which can be used for $7 a day.
Bay Harbor: None.
Petoskey: The Petoskey Municipal Marina is a designated Michigan Clean Marina. In addition to paved launch ramps, it features diesel and gasoline, pumpout and seasonal dockage.
Harbor Springs: The Harbor Springs Ramp has a hard surfaced ramp with sufficient water depth and lake size to accommodate most boats as well as 54 parking spaces
Mackinaw City: The Mackinaw City Municipal Marina in the heart of downtown Mackinaw City is within walking distance of shopping and restaurants. The marina has a low-incline launch ramp with two launches.
Mackinac Island: Vehicles are prohibited so there are no ramps on Mackinac Island.
St. Ignace: The Huron Boardwalk begins near the St. Ignace Marina and allows you to walk along the waterfront and enjoy the exhibits featuring the history of St. Ignace. The newly remodeled St. Ignace Marine features paved ramps and 35 parking spaces.
Manistique: The Manistique Municipal Ramp has one paved ramp and 40 parking spaces.
Fayette: Portage Bay has a carry-down launching area that is suitable for car-top boats and canoes only. It has parking available within 150 feet of the launching area.
Little Bay de Noc: Gladstone Marina, on the Gladstone harbor, has a paved launch ramp.
Cedar River: Cedar River Harbor, on the north bank of the Cedar River, provides a boat launch with river and lake access.
Menominee and Marinette: The Menominee Marina, set in a park setting with picnic areas, has a two-lane boat launch ramp. On the Marinette side, just off U.S. 41, is Nestegg Marine. Just east of it there is a two-lane launch ramp.
Oconto: About a mile from town is the Breakwater Park and Marina which has a six-lane municipal launch ramp as well as transient slips with electric and water hookups.
Green Bay: The city of Green Bay has a major boat launching facility at the mouth of the Fox River about one mile west of Bay Beach Amusement Park via Bay Beach Road. The Metro Boat Launch has 10 lanes for launching boats and one large holding pier for short-term boat docking.
Sturgeon Bay: The 10-acre Sawyer Park Launching Ramp is located at the intersection of Neenah and East Oak Street. Facilities include a six-lane ramp (two permanent ramps), restroom facility with showers, two fish cleaning stations, dockmaster building, paved parking lot (lighted), area for transient docking (two-hour limit), benches, picnic tables, two grills, and two handicap fishing platforms. The Sunset Park Boat Launch is located at the end of Florida Street in Sunset Park. The facility includes two launch ramps and lighted parking lot, as well as a small pier in the immediate area for transient docking. Olde Stone Quarry Park is a 9-acre parcel located approximately 4 miles northeast of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The park site is a “fair weather” launch site with two launch lanes exposed to the waters of Green Bay with parking for 40 car/trailer units.
Egg Harbor: Located at Dock Park between Harbor View Park and the Bay of Green Bay, Egg Harbor Marina has two paved launch lanes.
Fish Creek: There are two paved launch ramps at the Fish Creek Ramp as well as a boarding dock.
Ephraim: The Firehouse Marina on Water Street has a launch ramp, showers and restroom facilities.
Sister Bay: Friendly and efficient staff members are available to assist you with all of your boating needs at Sister Bay Marina, which has a large, easily accessible launch ramp and has recently doubled the size of its dockmaster’s office and lobby areas.
Ellison Bay: The Wills Park Marina on Cedar Shore Road, west of Highway 42 in downtown Ellison, has daily launching upon payment of the launch fee.
Washington Island: Kap’s Marina, an informal family affair in the heart of the busy ferry dock area, has a launch ramp and features new bathrooms and showers.
Rowley Bay: The Marina at Wagon Trail Resort on Rowly Bay, surrounded by the Nature Conservancy and Newport State Park, offers a boat launch for $6.
Baileys Harbor: Boaters visiting the Baileys Harbor Town Marina’s four lighted launch ramps can appreciate the convenience of restrooms, shower, and a laundry located adjacent to the marina in the dockmaster headquarters.
Algoma: The Algoma Marina is located at the East End of Historic Steele Street in the Algoma Harbor and a short two blocks from downtown stores and restaurants. It features a double launch ramp.
Kewaunee: Kewaunee Landing, located on the north bank of the Kewaunee River on Highway 42, offers six lighted launch ramps for a $5 fee.
Two Rivers: A city operated boat launch and fish cleaning station is located on the West Twin River at 16th & Madison Street adjacent to Vets Park. There is a $5 launch fee.
Manitowoc: Hika Park Access has two gravel launch lanes and a boarding dock. Manitowoc Marina features four paved launch lanes. Red Arrow City Park has one shallow launch lane that can be affected by lake levels and can be hard to land at with onshore winds. There is also an unprotected landing.
Sheboygan: The City of Sheboygan maintains boat launch ramps at three locations. There is one off of 8th Street, just north of the 8th Street Bridge. There is another off of the 14th Street bridge in the 1300 block of Niagara Avenue. The third is in Deland park on the lakefront. There is a fish cleaning station and it has public restrooms nearby.
Port Washington: The Port Washington Marina has more than five launch ramps, a friendly, casual atmosphere, a night security guard, and is located one block from the downtown area with many restaurants and shopping nearby.
Milwaukee: Bender Park Boat Launch now has a six-lane boat launch and a sand beach for launching your non-motorized watercraft or for wading into Lake Michigan. A pavilion on the waterfront has public restrooms.
Racine: The Azarian and Sons Marina on Water street offers slip rentals for powerboats and sailboats as well as a launch ramp. Pershing Park offers five paved launches.
Kenosha: Simmons Island Boat Harbor has commercial and non-commercial boat launches.
Winthrop Harbor: The launch ramps of North Point Marina are located between Skipper Buds and the security office. They are open 24 hours from April 1 through October 31. There is no launch fee.
Waukegan: Waukegan Harbor offers you a beautiful lakefront and marina with promenade, park, nearby public beach and slips to accommodate any craft from sailboats to luxury cruisers throughout a full boating season from April 1 to November 1.
Wilmette: South of Wilmette in Evanston there is a permit-only ramp that issues daily passes only on the 4th of July and for the Air and Water Show. North of Wilmette, in Winnetka, is the Lloyd Park ramp. It has three ramps that cost $15 during the week and $45 on the weekend.
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