Introduction to Public Boat Launches
Boat Launch Areas
Public Boat Launches in the Muskokas
Public Boat Launches on Manitoulin Island
Public Boat Launches in the Kawarthas
Public Boat Launches in Southwest Ontario
Public Boat Launches in Eastern Ontario
The Missing Boat Launch Points
Years Ago
When I was younger there were lots of free public boat launches; my father and I used quite a few for our small fishing boats.
I suspect that, legally, there still are.
The Disappearing Boat Launches
But in practical fact, they’ve largely disappeared. Why? My guess is that when the sign indicating a free launch point vanishes, the owners of marinas won’t call the government to get a new one – especially if the free launch point is close to or even adjacent to their facilities. I can understand that, from their point of view.
The tourist guides that you can get free are supported by marinas and resorts, both of which have an interest in not revealing free launch places.
At other points in the near north, I suspect the local cottagers want no extra traffic on “their” lake. With the sign gone, they are free to tack their name signs to reserve every available parking spot and so discourage people such as you and I from using the launch. I can understand that, from their point of view. The locals who don't have property on the lakes are glad to use public launch points, but these people learn the locations, and also get no benefit from outsiders going after the same fish stocks.
Lenny Gets Worked Up
I realize this isn't a big political issue for most people. But these facilities were a service, a gift from the government of Ontario to its people, and to tourists visiting the province. Now the successive governments have let the gift become tattered.
I'm doing what I can.
I tried contacting the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, but there was a provincial election going on. I promised to vote Liberal and maybe that helped get some contacts going.
Not that it was needed; the liberals won easily anyway, and I was told that the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Tourism had nothing to do with public boat launches. Contact the Ministry of Transportation, I was told.
Well, the Ministry of Transportation said they put up the boat-launch signs, all right, but only when requested by the county or region. Then they'd check that there was actually a launch point and a place to park before putting a sign on the highway.
I tried contacting the counties and regions, but I was soon told that boat launches were the responsibility of the local municipalities.
Which, of course, contain the locals, the marinas, and the resorts which are least interested in identifying and maintaining the launch points.
What Remains
Some places have launches but no parking. Others have parking for a few cars and trailers, which, of course fill up with cottagers.
One trend among municipalities is to charge for launching or for parking. Currently (2008) the cost usually runs from five to eight dollars for either the launch or the parking, with no charge for the other.
At first, I wasn't going to list these. I own a canoe and a Scanoe (squareback canoe with small motor) and resent the current fees that the marina owners charge - typically ten dollars to launch and ten dollars to park. Especially since Dianne and I aren't good for more than three hours on the water.
I don't resent the marinas charging people who need a well-maintained concrete ramp for a larger boat. That's probably not an exorbitant rate for those boaters, considering. It's just too much for us, and we actually prefer to launch from a grassy shoreline.
Sometimes if you ask a marina, "How much for a canoe," some flustered attendant reduces the price a lot, but you can't count on that.
If any marina wishes to offer a total day package of ten dollars or less for a canoe, scanoe, or kayak (launch plus parking), just let me know: I'll include it on this web site. I recommend marinas charge just parking fees for people who don't need to use the launch slip.
For the rest, I'm still searching out inexpensive places to launch my little boat for a few hours of water time. Feel free to send in details of any you find.
Lenny Everson
everson@golden.net