Cottage Grove Boat Launch

The concrete slabs have noticeable separation below the waterline. You'll feel your trailer bump over the gaps on the way down. It's manageable but worth knowing — take it slow and keep your tires centered on the panels.

Only 17 trailer spots, and it's one of the few public ramps left on Muskegon Lake. On summer weekends you need to be there early — by 7 AM on Saturdays it can be tight. No overflow option nearby, so if it's full, you're driving to another ramp.

They are dead serious about the $10 daily fee. If you forget to display your pass on the dash, expect a $35 citation — and the city police won't waive it even if you paid. Buy the yearly pass from the city if you plan to use it more than a few times; saves hassle and money.

This is the closest public ramp to the Muskegon Channel, which is the whole reason to launch here despite the tight lot. You can be out on Lake Michigan in minutes. For perch runs off the pier or quick access to the big lake, it beats the other Muskegon Lake ramps by a solid 10-15 minutes of run time.

No boats over 30 feet and no trailers with more than two axles — they enforce it. This is a neighborhood ramp, not a marina. It works great for 18-to-26-foot fishing boats and small cruisers, but if you're running anything bigger, head to Harbour Towne.