Crotched Lake Boat Launch

Three trailer spots is all you get. If even one person parks crooked or leaves a vehicle without a trailer, you might be out of luck. For kayaks and canoes, you can squeeze in easier, but trailer boaters should arrive early or have a backup plan.

This is a paddle-first lake. The fishing is pretty underwhelming — I've done full laps in a kayak without a single bite, and that's not unusual here. Heavy weed growth and aquatic vegetation choke up a lot of the water column, which also makes scuba nearly pointless. If you're chasing fish, try one of the other Holly Rec Area lakes instead.

Get here at sunrise, especially in May, and you'll likely have the whole lake to yourself. Herons nesting along the edges, red-winged blackbirds everywhere — it's genuinely peaceful. By mid-morning on weekends the tiny lot fills and the vibe changes.

The launch is rough — DNR has it flagged for redevelopment in 2025, and it shows. It'll handle a small jon boat or a kayak just fine, but don't expect a clean, well-maintained ramp. Weed buildup near the ramp gets worse as summer goes on.

It's right off a main road with no confusing turns, which is its biggest advantage. Think of it as a quick-dip spot for paddleboards, dogs, and casual kayak outings rather than a serious fishing or boating destination. For what it is — a quiet, pretty little lake with zero crowds — it delivers.