North Shore Boat Launch

There's a fish cleaning station on-site which is great after a salmon run, but the disposal holding tanks don't always get pumped on schedule. If you're rolling in early morning — especially during peak salmon season — the smell near the station can be absolutely brutal. By midday it can be overflowing onto the grass.

The launch empties into Little Bay De Noc, but the river mouth area picks up debris over time. Keep an eye on your prop heading out, especially if water's on the lower side. Dredging hasn't happened in a while and it shows.

Three fishing piers connected by a boardwalk make this spot worth visiting even without a boat. Zero shade out there though — it's fully exposed. Bugs can be relentless in summer, especially around dawn and dusk.

Four bucks gets you an all-day launch, which is hard to beat for Bay De Noc access. Parking is generous — you won't be circling the lot even on a Saturday morning. Way less hassle than some of the other launches around the bay.

They pull the ramps out of the water once the season winds down, so don't plan a late fall trip without checking first. When the ramps are in, the surface is clean and the grade is easy — handles bigger boats without drama.