Wolf Lake Boat Launch

Only 6 trailer spots, and kayakers and paddleboarders grab them early on summer weekends. By 9 AM you might be out of luck with a trailer. There's no designated separation between trailer and non-trailer parking, so it's first come, first served chaos.

The single concrete lane is steep and drops off deep — you won't have issues getting a boat on or off. That said, it's really built for smaller boats. Don't bring anything over 18 feet or you'll regret trying to maneuver in the tight turnaround area.

There's no trash barrel at the launch, and it shows. Beer cans, bottles, and wrappers pile up around the ramp and along the little trail nearby. Bring a bag for your own stuff and don't expect a clean setup.

Wolf Lake is a quiet little lake — great for a peaceful morning on the water, but it gets cramped fast if a few boats are out fishing. The fish hatchery is right down the road and stocks it, so it draws a crowd despite the size. Best fishing is early weekday mornings before the boat traffic picks up and pushes fish off the shallows.

You'll need a Michigan Recreation Passport to use the launch. It's administered by Van Riper State Park even though it's down in Van Buren County, so don't be surprised — just make sure your passport is current or you could catch a ticket.