Hoist Basin Boat Launch

Six trailer spots is all you get. On summer weekends, especially Saturday mornings, you might roll up to a full lot with zero overflow options. Weekday launches are stress-free.

One lane means you're waiting if someone's slow on the retrieval. Not a big deal most days since traffic is light, but it can get awkward when two or three rigs show up at once.

The Dead River Storage Basin is a power company impoundment, so water levels can fluctuate more than you'd expect. Pay attention to where the waterline sits before you back down — I've seen it drop enough to make the bottom of the ramp sketchy for launching anything bigger than a 16-footer.

This isn't a destination launch — it's a neighborhood put-in for Negaunee Township locals who want to get a small boat on the basin without driving to Marquette. Perfect for kayaks, canoes, and light fishing rigs. Don't expect amenities beyond the ramp itself.

The land is owned by Upper Peninsula Power Company and leased to the DNR, so don't be surprised if access or conditions feel a little rougher around the edges compared to a full state-managed site. Signage getting in can be easy to miss if you don't already know where you're going.