Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Best boat launches

Craigums
 Share

Recommended Posts

Craigums Experienced

Craigums

Posted
Posted

What are some of the friendliest boat launches near south st. paul? Just bought my first big glass boat and want a place to practice dropping it in and pulling it out. Took it to big marine but thats just a bit farther than id like to go

Link to comment
Share on other sites
RuKiddingMe Proficient

RuKiddingMe

Posted
Posted

Most of the main lakes (Tonka, Waconia, BE, Flake and many others)are all pretty good, depth and maintenance wise. The WBL launch may be a bit of a challenge, but might also be worth trying so you can learn your limits.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EBass Grand Master

EBass

Posted
Posted

If you want to master loading and unloading your boat go the the river. Hidden Falls to be exact. The current will give you headaches, but once you get to a lake it will be a breeze.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Craigums Experienced

Craigums

Posted
  • Author
Posted

If you want to master loading and unloading your boat go the the river. Hidden Falls to be exact. The current will give you headaches, but once you get to a lake it will be a breeze.

have you ever used the launch under 494 bridge? that one is right by my house.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
EBass Grand Master

EBass

Posted
Posted

Yes - I don't think the current is as bad there as it is at Hidden Falls. It's just that Hidden Falls has ripping back current. So you're going one way then you pass the seam and now you're going the opposite. It's a pain. Prolly not the best idea for your first time now that I'm thinkin bout it.

But yeah rivers are way more of a pain than a lake. Of course 30PMH winds blowing into a ramp at a lake will suck to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
pinkfloyd4ever Mentor

pinkfloyd4ever

Posted
Posted

Because its close to my home I hit spoon lake, it has a decent access, no docks, the only draw back is it always seems the wind is screaming out of the south which can make loading a pain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
WhopperPlopper Rookie

WhopperPlopper

Posted
Posted

Just tried 494 ramp myself for the firs time on sunday.

It is MUCH easier than hidden falls. i dont recommend HF until u have more experience or until its warmer out, because u will probably just end up with wet shoes!

494 has minimal current, a fair to high amount of approach space, and the most important aspect- A Dock! (hidden falls has none)

Just remember to pull your plug before leaving- save our lakes and save yourself a ticket!

Good luck, and thanks for practicing!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kyhl Proficient

Kyhl

Posted
Posted

If you want to master loading and unloading your boat go the the river. Hidden Falls to be exact. The current will give you headaches, but once you get to a lake it will be a breeze.

I've seen some funny stuff happen at that launch. The best was watching a guy try backing his empty trailer down the ramp over and over. One of his attempts had the trailer at a 90 degree angle on the ramp. Probably was jack knifed. It was hilarious. He must have tried it 10 times before the owner beached the boat and backed the trailer in all Pi$$ed off. Peeling out on the ramp without a boat.

We were watching from the water while we waited for a friend to show up. Ah, good times.

To the original poster. Just relax and take your time. There will always be someone else in a hurry that will screw it up worse and you can laugh at them. laugh

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kyhl Proficient

Kyhl

Posted
Posted

Another good one might be under the Hwy 77 bridge on the MN river. No one is ever there and their is no current. Nice concrete launch.

I launched there two weeks ago without a problem. You will need a state park sticker though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Kyhl Proficient

Kyhl

Posted
Posted

Launched out of Hidden Falls yesterday afternoon. They must have opened up the dam a bit because the water was higher and flowing faster than it was two weeks ago.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hydro Mentor

hydro

Posted
Posted

If you want to master loading and unloading your boat go the the river. Hidden Falls to be exact. The current will give you headaches, but once you get to a lake it will be a breeze.

Now that's just plain cruel. I grew up in the area and we would set up chairs on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon just to watch the chaos as people tried to land their boats after a refreshment filled day out on the river. One day the current will be ripping by from the north, the next it will be from the south and once in a while it will be in the calm center of the eddy. Add to that the steep slope of the landing and the fist size rock bottom and lots of bad things can happen quick. Launching is easy here but to get back onto the trailer you have to be lined up as you float by in the current, and drive on as you pass the trailer. Sort of a timing and boat handling skill thing. Forget about nudging up to the trailer and winching the boat up.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Tator2k Rising Star

Tator2k

Posted
Posted

I would call it being pushed up stream at about 45 degree angle and then turning into the trailer. I keep my bunks a little further out of the water so the boat can grab on. I typically by myself which makes this even more exciting (read: harder)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Aaron Carrell Collaborator

Aaron Carrell

Posted
Posted

Craigums, in my opinion the 494 ramp would be an excellent candidate for you to learn on since its so close. Its fairly even on either side, though the right ramp (looking from the water) is a little nicer. I didn't notice hardly any current up to the ramp. The channel is a good 100+ feet to the east of the ramp, and that shallow flat doesn't have a ton of flow over it.

Good luck, and have fun with your new toy!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • jparrucci
      water levels

      By jparrucci · Posted

      Very low, probably 2 feet lower than last year at ice out.
    • mbeyer
      water levels

      By mbeyer · Posted

      what do they look like this spring?
    • SkunkedAgain
      Ice-Out 2024

      By SkunkedAgain · Posted

      I might have missed a guess, but here are the ones that I noted:   JerkinLips – March 27th, then April 7th Brianf. – March 28th Bobberwatcher – April…. MikeG3Boat – April 10th SkunkedAgain – early April, then April 21st   Definitely a tough year for guesses, as it seemed to be a no-brainer early ice out. Then it got cold and snowed again.
    • mbeyer
      Ice-Out 2024

      By mbeyer · Posted

      MN DNR posted April 13 as Ice out date for Vermilion
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      ^^^45 in the morning and 47 in the evening
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      👍. What was the water temp in Black Bay? Thanks....
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      No, that wasn't me.  I drive a 621 Ranger. 
    • CigarGuy
      Ice-Out 2024

      By CigarGuy · Posted

      So, that was you in the camo lund? I'm bummed, I have to head back to the cities tomorrow for a few days, then back up for at least a few weeks. Got the dock in and fired up to get out chasing some crappies till opener!
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      Sturgeon Fishing is Hot

      By LakeofthewoodsMN · Posted

      On the south end...   Lots of ice on the main basin, but it is definitely deteriorating.  Some anglers have been fishing the open water at the mouth of the Rainy River in front of the Lighthouse Gap.  The rest of the basin is still iced over. Pike enthusiasts caught some big pike earlier last week tip up fishing in pre-spawn areas adjacent to traditional spawning areas.  8 - 14' of water using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring has been the ticket.  Ice fishing for all practical purposes is done for the year. The focus for the basin moving forward will be pike transitioning into back bays to spawn,  This is open water fishing and an opportunity available as the pike season is open year round on Lake of the Woods. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. With both the ice fishing and spring fishing on the Rainy River being so good, many are looking forward to the MN Fishing Opener on Saturday, May 11th.  It should be epic. On the Rainy River...  An absolutely incredible week of walleye and sturgeon fishing on the Rain Rainy River.     Walleye anglers, as a rule, caught good numbers of fish and lots of big fish.  This spring was one for the books.   To follow that up, the sturgeon season is currently underway and although every day can be different, many boats have caught 30 - 40 sturgeon in a day!  We have heard of fish measuring into the low 70 inch range.  Lots in the 60 - 70 inch range as well.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  Open water is continuing to expand in areas with current.  The sight of open water simply is wetting the pallet of those eager for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th.   A few locals were on the ice this week, targeting pike.  Some big slimers were iced along with some muskies as well.  If you like fishing for predators, LOW is healthy!  
    • Brianf.
      Ice-Out 2024

      By Brianf. · Posted

      Early bird gets the worm some say...   I have it on good authority that this very special angler caught no walleyes or muskies and that any panfish caught were released unharmed.        
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept