Craft & Seasonality
✓
Motorboat ✓
Kayak / Canoe ✓
Jet Ski / PWC ✗
Large Boat ✗
Winter Access Site Details
Conditions change rapidly due to water levels, prop wash, and weather. Always visually inspect before backing down.
RampUnimproved, 1 lane
Trailer Parking10 spots · gravel
Vehicle-Only5 spots
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
Hours
RestroomsVault toilet (1)
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier · Pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
Dirt Ramp Trouble
This is a dirt ramp, not concrete, and it gets slick fast. Trucks and trailers get stuck here regularly — if you're backing in anything heavy, bring a buddy and maybe a tow strap. Smaller boats and kayaks are the sweet spot for this launch.
Slow Residential Crawl
The road in is narrow, winding through a residential neighborhood with kids everywhere. Plan on creeping along at 10-15 mph for a solid stretch. It feels like you're driving through someone's backyard, because you basically are.
Submerged Stumps
There are stumps lurking in the water near the launch area. Keep your prop tilted up until you're well clear, and idle out slowly — it's not the place to hammer the throttle right off the ramp.
Best for Kayaks & Small Boats
With only 10 trailer spots and a dirt ramp, this isn't where you want to bring a 21-foot bowrider on a July Saturday. But if you're dropping a kayak or canoe to explore the marshy west side of Pontiac Lake, it's far better than hauling all the way to the main state rec area launch and paddling across 640 acres.
Parking Fills Quick
Ten spots disappear fast on summer weekends. There's really no overflow option — once it's full, you're out of luck or blocking someone in. Weekday mornings and early weekend arrivals are the move here.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews, Google Street View
About This Lake
Pontiac Lake →