Bolles Harbor Boat Launch

The access road back to the launch hasn't been repaved in years and it shows — potholes everywhere in the parking lot too. You won't damage anything at slow speed, but it's a jarring ride if you're not expecting it. Take it easy with a loaded trailer.

Unlike a lot of Lake Erie launches, a strong west wind dropping water levels doesn't really shut this place down. The ramp stays deep enough to launch even when conditions get low, though you might scrape a bit at extreme low tide. Fifteen lanes mean you can pick the deepest one.

With 284 trailer spots and 15 lanes, this is about as painless as launching on western Erie gets. I've pulled in on Saturday mornings and still had my pick of ramps. Power loaders are the biggest holdup — nobody seems to enforce it, so just be patient if the guy ahead of you is blasting his prop on the ramp.

Sterling State Park administers this launch, so you need a Michigan Recreation Passport. They check the lot, and if you don't have one on your plate, you're buying one on the spot. Easier to just add it at your next registration renewal and forget about it.

The no-wake zone out LaPlaisance Creek to open Lake Erie is short — you're on plane in just a few minutes. Trout's Yacht Basin sits right across the channel if you need marine fuel. There's also a bait shop at the entrance, so you can grab crawlers or emerald shiners on the way in without making an extra stop.