Pine River Mouth Boat Launch

The road to the launch is narrow, rutted, and full of potholes — two vehicles can barely pass each other. If you're trailering, take it slow or you risk bottoming out. Definitely not the place to tow your boat after dark without knowing the route.

Once you're in the water, there's no marked channel heading out to Saginaw Bay. Depths run 5-7 feet in the river, but it's easy to wander into shallow spots if you don't know the way. First trip out, idle slow and keep your eyes on the depth finder.

27 trailer spots sounds okay until a nice summer weekend hits — it fills up quicker than you'd expect for a launch this small. Get there early if you're heading out on a Saturday morning, because there's really no overflow option nearby.

This launch shines for 18-footers and under. Two lanes keep things moving, and the ramp works fine for lighter rigs. Don't bring anything much bigger — the launch area itself is tight, and maneuvering a large boat on that narrow road is a headache you don't need.

Despite the rough access, this is a legit gateway to Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. Perch fishing can be excellent when they're running. Beaver lodges and wildlife along the river make even a slow fishing day worth the trip — great spot to bring kids.