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
Dock1 boating pier · ADA
Trailer Parking8 spots · gravel
Vehicle-Only4 spots
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
Hours4 AM – 11 PM
RestroomsVault toilet (2)
PierYes
AccessibilityAccessible pier, restroom
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
Single Lane, Tight Window
One lane and only 8 trailer spots — on summer weekends you need to be here by 7 AM or you're parking creative. Weekday mornings are a completely different story, practically empty.
Mio Dam Pond Access
This puts you right on Mio Dam Pond, which is a quieter alternative to launching closer to town. The pond fishes well for perch and bass, but don't expect a lot of elbow room if someone else launches — it's intimate water.
Covered Dock Is Handy
There's a covered fishing dock on site that's great for shore anglers or if you just want to tie off and take a break. The fishing pier area to the southwest is technically separate from the boat launch — possibly federal land — so don't be confused by the slightly different feel over there.
Small Boats Only
This is really a canoe, kayak, and small jonboat launch. The single lane handles a 16-footer fine, but anything bigger and you're going to feel it on the approach. The ramp is basic — functional but nothing fancy.
Clean and Quiet
Bathrooms on site and the area stays surprisingly well maintained for how remote it feels. It's a beautiful stretch of the Au Sable with solid scenery in every direction. If you're looking for a low-key morning on the water without the circus, this is your spot.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews, Google Street View
About This Lake
Mio Dam Pond - Au Sable River →