Cheboygan Dam Boat Launch

The ramp itself is fine, but there's a shallow stretch between the launch and the main channel. If you're running anything with a deeper draft, idle slow and pay attention — you can bump bottom easily, especially mid-summer when levels drop a bit.

This is your gateway to the full Inland Waterway system. Launch here, hit the locks, and you can work your way through the Cheboygan River out to Lake Huron or back up toward Mullett Lake. Hard to beat that kind of range from a single ramp.

There are 54 trailer spots in the main launch area, but don't get confused by the northern parking lot — that belongs to the dam facility and isn't part of the boat access. On salmon run weekends in fall, the launch lot fills by mid-morning, so plan accordingly.

You'll need an $11 launch permit. Don't get caught without one — they do check. Grab it ahead of time and save yourself the hassle.

When the salmon are running in September and October, this place gets busy. Bank anglers line up near the dam, and the ramp sees steady traffic. Weekday mornings are your best bet if you want to avoid the circus.