Hessel Marina

With just 6 trailer spots, parking fills fast on summer weekends — especially during the annual Antique Wooden Boat Show in August, when the whole town becomes a crowded madhouse. If you're launching during the show, get there early morning or plan to park on the street nearby.

This is your jump-off point into the Les Cheneaux Islands, which is the real draw. The sheltered channels between the islands offer some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on northern Huron, plus protected water when the big lake gets rough. Hard to beat as a staging area.

Two lanes with decent condition concrete. Nothing fancy, but the grade is manageable and water depth at the ramp holds up well through the season. Staff are on-site in the adjacent building, which is a nice bonus if you run into any issues getting launched.

The marina and facilities haven't seen a major renovation since the 1970s, and it shows. Power posts and water hookups are outdated. Restrooms are older but kept clean. If you're just launching and trailering, it won't matter much, but don't expect anything modern.

After you pull the boat, stick around. The docks are a local gathering spot — families fishing off the pier, ice cream from the shop next door, and some of the best sunsets you'll see on Huron. The Islander Bar is a short walk for a cold one.