Public Boat Launch Directory - Avon Sailboats

1 MICHIGANP ublic boat LaunchDirectoryMichigan Department of Natural ResourcesParks and Recreation DivisionMichigan`s BoatLaunching ProgramWelcome to boating in Michigan!Michigan residents and visitors are truly in a Water Wonderland. Thisstate has over 11,000 lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, and3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline. Michigan is the only state whichtouches four of the five Great Lakes. These waters provide recreationalopportunities for sports and boating enthusiasts, who own and registersome 600,000 1939, the state legislature first earmarked funds from increasedfishing license fees to purchase water frontage. The Parks and RecreationDivision assumed responsibility for the Boating Access Site program in1968. The program has since been funded by marine fuel taxes and ashare of boat registration fees. These taxes and fees are paid exclusivelyby recreational boaters. Over 1,200 Public launching sites have beendeveloped for boaters.

2 Most of these sites are administered and operatedby the Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of NaturalResources. Others are owned and operated by local communities andwere built under grant-in-aid agreements, with the state s WaterwaysFund sharing in the development use of State-built or State-funded boat launching facilities is freeto the Public , with the following exceptions: An entry fee is charged at 50 Parks and Recreation Division administeredboating access sites that require an attendant for site maintenance andtraffic control. Daily and seasonal boating access site permits can bepurchased at these sites from site attendants. A State Park permit is required for use of boat launching facilitieswithin a State Park or State Recreation Area. State Park annual or dailyvehicle permits can be purchased at the State Park entry booth. Some communities also charge a modest entry fee to help defrayoperating of MichiganJohn M.

3 ScherschligtChiefParks & Recreation Box 30257 Lansing, MI 48909(517) 373-9900 Michigan StateWaterways Commis-sionEdward Beauregard, BellWest BloomfieldAmos B. CrowAlpenaJames HansenEscanabaMarc HowardMt. ClemensFrank McBride, Pointe ShoresMilan Reed, IILudingtonMICHIGANDEPARTMENT OFNATURAL RESOURCESC over Photo ByBruce Avery, MDNRU sing This DirectoryThis boat launching Directory is designed to aid users of trailerable boats, car-top boats, and canoes in locatingplaces to Launch their craft. It lists information concerning each Launch ramp and related facilities, such as parking,toilets, etc. It should be used with a Michigan official transportation map and/or county maps as a Directory includes boat launching facilities operated by the Department of Natural Resources. It also includessites operated by counties, cities and other governmental agencies. Many were built with assistance from theDepartment of Natural Resources.

4 Not all of Michigan s boat launching facilities are listed in the Directory . Forexample, commercial boat landings operated by businesses on private property and some boat Launch sites operatedby local units of government are not ofColumn HeadingsDNR Site No. - When contacting the Department about any of the facilities listed in this Directory , please makereference to both the site name and DNR Site Number. The symbol l in front of a site number designates anaccessible Name and Body of Water - Sites are usually named after the lake or body of water they serve. In somecases, they are named in honor of persons contributing to the recreational boating program or physical landmarks,in which case the name of the water is also given. If the ramp is located within a State Forest Campground (SFCG),State Recreation Area (RA), State Game Area (SGA), or Wildlife Area (WA), the name of that unit is also - Indicates the number of miles in a straight line, and direction to the site from the center of the nearesttown.

5 In some cases, you will have to ask directions from the local townspeople to find the site, or refer to countymaps available from the bookstores. Also, watch for DNR signs indicating the direction and distance to an Map Coordinates - Used to locate the general vicinity of the site on a Michigan official transportation to index along the edges of the State Code - This number tells the type of launching ramp the site user can expect to find at the access should be noted that shoaling or obstructions may be present at any location, and boaters should carefullyevaluate all water depths before launching. The numbers mean:1. A hard-surfaced ramp with sufficient water depth and lake size to accommodate most trailerable A hard-surfaced ramp, in areas of limited water depth or lake size, where launching, retrieving, and use of largerboats may be A gravel-surfaced A carry-down launching area. Site does not have an improved ramp and is suitable for launching cartop boatsand canoes Pier - An elevated walk or platform (catwalk) for loading and unloading passengers, etc.

6 , at the boatlaunching - This is the number of parking places available at the access site. Some boat ramps in State Parksand State Forest Campgrounds are for the use of campers only and no parking is available for non-camping Watercraft Controls - In addition to the general boating regulations of Michigan, it has been necessary tomake rules to control certain boating activities on some bodies of water. The letter code boats for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow, no-wake boating and water skiing boating and water skiing permitted 11:00 to 7:30 only, Eastern Daylight Savings skiing permitted 11:00 to 7:30 only, Eastern Daylight Savings watercraft controls other than those listed above, apply only to a part of the body of current and more complete information on Local Watercraft Controls, contact Law Enforcement Division,Department of Natural Resources, Box 30028, Lansing, MI 48909, or the County Sheriff of the County in whichthe lake is - This column indicates the unit who has responsibility for maintaining and operating the boatlaunching site.

7 Inquiries should be directed to the appropriate administering unit listed - Parks and Recreation DivisionDepartment of Natural Box 30257 Lansing, MI 48909(517) 373-9900FD - Forest Management DivisionDepartment of Natural Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909(517) 373-1275WD- Wildlife DivisionDepartment of Natural Box 30028 Lansing, MI 48909(517) 373-1263 Site Rules - To prevent misuse of boat launching facilities, it has been necessary to make and enforce rules toensure that facilities are used for their intended purpose. The code for these rules is as follows:(These Rules Are Subject to Change)1. Site closed 11:00 to 4:00 Fee charged for use of a boating access site administered by Parks and Recreation Camping Site closed to all swimming, wading and State Park rules apply. A State Park entrance permit is Special rules apply, such as special closing hours, rules against consumption of alcoholic beverages, orothers.

8 This designation is also used where the site rules are established by an agency other than theDepartment of Natural Acres - This is the size of the lake in acres of surface area of the inland lake or impoundment. None listedmeans not applicable and indicates sites on the Great Lakes, rivers or streams. A lake that is round and 1/2 mile acrossis approximately 125 acres in boat owners are advised that certain Indian Tribes, by virtue of Treaty rights, have the right tocommercially fish in Michigan waters. This right is recognized and enforced by the State of Michigan and must berecognized, and not disturbed, by all persons. Boaters in Michigan waters are reminded of these rights of treaty fishersand are urged to recognize and support by the respective unit of government:FS - Forest ServiceCITY - CityCO - CountyTWP - TownshipVI - VillageHC - Huron Clinton Metro. - National GuardUT - UtilityTown, Range, Section - This provides a useful method for locating a boat launching facility on a county maps are available at District Headquarters of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, at the MichiganUnited Conservation Clubs (517) 371-1041, and at some bookstores.

9 Most of the listed boating facilities are indicatedby a symbol on DNR county maps for many of Michigan s inland lakes can be purchased from Michigan United Conservation Clubs,Bureau of Maps, Box 30235, Lansing, MI 48909, at (517) 371-1041. They also sell Navigation Charts forthe Great Lakes and adjacent waterways and county :It is the policy of the Parks and Recreation Division to provide accessible boat launching facilities within each countythroughout the State of Michigan whenever possible. Access to a representative sample of water bodies, suitablefor a variety of boating experiences, will be provided to offer boaters with disabilities a reasonable level of : Accessible boating facilities are defined as those facilities with designated parking, accessible routes to major usesof the facility, accessible restrooms and accessible courtesy :All facilities to be designated Accessible shall be designed, constructed, and maintained to comply with current Federalor State construction you have any questions or need further information regarding these sites, please call(517) Policy and ProceduresThe following Policy and Procedures have been developed by the Department of Natural Resources, Parks andRecreation Division, to provide accessible boat launching facilities.

10 The l symbol on the left of a site number designates an accessible program receives Federal financial assistance in Sport Fish and/or Wildlife Restoration. Under TitleVI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Actof 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Department of the Interior prohibitsdiscrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, or handicap. If you believe that youhave been discriminated against in any program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desirefurther information, please write to: The Office for Human Resources, Fish and Wildlife Service,Department of the Interior, Washington, Rights For Natural Resource UsersThe Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), provides equal opportunities for employment and foraccess to Michigan natural resources. State and Federal laws prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color,national origin, religion, disability, age, martial status, height and weight.