Wilson Hill Park

This is the launch locals point to as the free, paved put-in on Hamlin — the Ludington State Park ramp across the lake needs a Recreation Passport. Single paved lane with a dock, run by Hamlin Township off Barnhart Road on the upper lake's north arm.

Fine for most fishing boats and even pontoons, but run a large pontoon or bigger and you'll have a tougher time. The ramp is tight and poorly lit after dark, so plan to launch and retrieve in daylight.

Room for roughly 5–10 rigs on the north side of Barnhart, with a gravel overflow lot across the road to the south. Turnaround space gets snug when it's busy, so be patient backing in.

Summer trailer launching, and in winter you can walk or sled onto the ice for fishing and snowmobiling — the shallower upper basin sets up more reliably than Hamlin's deep west end. Upper Hamlin holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, crappie, and bluegill.

Beyond the launch it's a tidy township park: covered pavilion, picnic tables, grills, a playground with swings and a sandbox, horseshoe pits, electricity, and a summer hand-pump for drinking water. Restrooms are porta-potties only. Hours are 5 AM–11 PM, with no swimming, dogs, alcohol, camping, or overnight parking. It's also one of the best spots on the lake for the Fourth of July fireworks.