Webber Impoundment Boat Launch

If you're paddling and need to portage around the dam, brace yourself — it's a staircase carry, and there's no ramp or slide. With a heavier kayak (50+ lbs), it's a real grunt. Plan to have a buddy or go light.

The impoundment fishes warm-water species all summer, but fall coho and spring steelhead below the dam are the real draws. Downstream access involves scrambling over fallen trees and steep banks, and you'll hit private land before long — wade if you want to push farther.

People treat this place like a dump, unfortunately. Expect to see litter along the shoreline and occasionally people fishing right on the dam or in the fish ladder. DNR presence is rare out here, so it has a bit of a lawless feel at times. Lock your vehicle.

This launch sits way out in the country — that's the tradeoff. You'll almost never wait for the single lane, and the 17 gravel spots are plenty for a typical weekday or even most weekends. But there's nothing nearby if you forget gear or need supplies, so come prepared.

Later in the summer the impoundment surface gets a floating algae layer, especially on the upstream end. Canoe and kayak paddling is still doable, but it can get thick enough to be annoying. Early season and fall are much cleaner.