Eastlake Penny Park

The ramp is notably shallow — you'll feel it with anything drawing more than a couple feet. During lower water periods, bigger boats can struggle getting off the trailer. A flat-bottom or smaller fishing rig is ideal here.

When the salmon run kicks off in late summer and fall, this place gets absolutely packed. Only 14 trailer spots and they vanish fast. Show up early on weekends during jigging season or you'll be circling the island lot hoping someone leaves.

The ramp area and nearby shoreline get choked with weeds, especially mid-to-late summer. Not a dealbreaker, but expect to pull some greenery off your prop on the way out. The fish don't seem to mind — bass and pike stack up in that stuff.

The $2 launch fee isn't well marked at the entrance. If you're just stopping in to scout the ramp or fish from shore, be aware they enforce a day-use fee too. Have a couple bucks cash ready so you don't get hassled.

What makes this launch worth knowing is the short run through the channel to Lake Michigan. You're on Manistee Lake with river current from both the Manistee and Little Manistee, so there's solid fishing right off the ramp — but the real draw is punching out to the big water without dealing with the Manistee city launch crowds.