Rust Avenue Boat Launch

The automated pay kiosk at the gate is a pain — you have to physically get out of your truck to enter your plate number, and it creates a backup line on busy mornings. Walleye opener had trucks lined up for blocks. Budget an extra 15-20 minutes if you're arriving after 6 AM on a popular weekend.

The Saginaw River carries a lot of floating logs and submerged debris, especially after rain events. Deadheads are a real threat here — I've seen people tear up props. Keep your speed down heading out from the launch and scan the water carefully.

Rust Avenue itself is arguably the worst road in Saginaw for pulling a trailer. Potholes are deep enough to bounce a boat off the bunks. Take it slow, especially with a larger rig, or you'll be picking your boat up off the pavement.

Six lanes with long docks mean you can comfortably launch boats over 25 feet without hanging off the end. Despite all those ramps, this place is rarely crowded outside of walleye opener — grass grows through the concrete cracks most of the season. If you're running a bigger boat on the Saginaw, this is the best option in town.

The main paved trailer spots (about 60) are fine, but once those fill, the overflow area is loose gravel with zero markings. People park wherever they want and it turns into a mess. The ramp concrete also has some broken sections, so pick your lane carefully — the middle ramps tend to be in better shape.