Lake Leelanau West Boat Launch

The ramp is noticeably steep — great for getting your trailer wheels wet fast, but it can catch you off guard if you're not ready for it. Wet concrete on that grade gets slick, so take it slow on the way back up. A good set of tires matters here.

Five trailer spots is all you get, and there's barely room to swing a rig around when it's full. On a hot summer Saturday, you might roll up to find zero options. Get there early or have a Plan B — there's no overflow area to speak of.

Unlike some of the shallower launches on the lake, this one drops off nicely. You won't be dragging your skeg through muck or walking your boat out 30 feet. Even in late summer when levels dip, it stays usable for most trailered boats.

Single lane and one small dock that fits maybe one average-sized boat at a time. If someone's fumbling with their trailer ahead of you, you're just waiting. Load fast and pull forward — don't be the person tying off to prep your gear while three trucks are idling behind you.

This launch puts you on South Lake Leelanau with easy access up through the Narrows to the north basin. That's a real advantage over some of the more limited spots — you can fish both halves of the lake in a single trip without trailering to a second ramp.