Bayport Boat Launch?

Hello!

I just picked up an old 16′ fishing boat. I live in Bayport and am wondering about the different launches in town. I know there is the one that charges next to the park, I think $8. I’ve been there before and it can get really busy. I see there are a couple others. There is one off of the Anderson lot. Is that just for employees, or can anyone launch, but only employees can park? I haven’t been to the other launch. There must be a reason everyone goes to the launch where you have to pay.

Essentially, I’m trying to escape the crowds and paying to launch. I figure I can just park my trailer at home after launching.

Thanks!

Keytree

Welcome to the boart Keytree!

Sorry I can’t help you with the launches, but I’m sure you’ll have an answer very soon.

The only free spot I know of is the Ferry Landing in North Hudson. It can get crowded for what it is though and there’s nothing more than a garbage can for accomodations. No ramp, sugar sand to sink your tires into (and get stuck!), and no dock. So, you DO get you’re paying for………. nothin’ for nothin’. Parking is roadside so you’ll take a walk getting on and off the water. BUT……………. if it’s worth it to you, it’s there. Turtle town’s been shut down so I know of nothing else that’s free. Hudson’s Lake Front park has season passes available at a discount or else it’s a pay per use system and they sock non-residents more than residents.

MN side may have something else to offer but I don’t personally know of anything.

Kid,
can I get a non-resident seasonal pass for the Hudson public ramp?
If so, where? Thanks.

Nevermind. I just called the Hudson Chamber of Scam and I cannot get a season pass. So much for spending alot of time in that area this year. I really would like to fish there more but it just cost to much.

Sorry Suzuki! I wasn’t aware of any discriminatory policies regarding the launch. Too bad that Ferry Landing isn’t more friendly with bigger boats…….. that sugar sand is nasty! Seems to me that it wouldn’t be too hard to dredge a section 2 foot deeper on the declining slope, about 30′ wide and 30′ out, gravel the turnaround area, and slab a small ramp at the water’s edge. After that, no more improvements so the inconvenience of conditions keep the numbers down.

Suzuki………… you still fish the Mallelieu at all?

I went a couple of times but I was so dejected after you turned me down twice I just couldn’t bare to go there anymore.

Ahhh…….yes………. ye old guilt trip’d be thee weapon of choice ayyy?

Well…….. I can’t stands to see a grown man ………. well, you get the picture. Anyway, that was a hard year for me and I “dejected” a few offers for various reasons but I’m willing to try and make up for it. I should have lot of weeknights available this summer…………. if’n you’re feelin’ up to it, that is. Would I have to buy you with ?

Send me a pm sometime if you’re up for a tug on the line and a few chuckles!

Buy beer, heck you’ll have to serve me beer as well. We call that boat bitc@. It’s like riding shotgun but my friends would rather use as demeaning term as possible.

Let me know when you guys are going out…I’ll be out there with my video camera….

Quote:

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Buy beer, heck you’ll have to serve me beer as well. We call that boat bitc@. It’s like riding shotgun but my friends would rather use as demeaning term as possible.

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Oh……… I’ll serve ya alright……. ……… I’ll serve ya just dandy as long as you can catch ’em at 65mph within 17ft.! Maybe I should start a game of “bobbing for beer”? Tie one on to the end of a muskie rod and lob it your direction……… usually JUST out of reach and reel it back in……….. then cast JUST out of reach again…….. The winner is the first one in the water………. bobbing for the beer! Either you dive in and win or I get thrown in and win!

Okay……… enough playin’ around (for now…). Do ya wanna head out this summer?

Apparently, answering our own questions on this board is common, so I figured I’d do so as well…

I called the city of Bayport and they told me that the ramp at the end of 4th street is a public ramp and is free. The only trick is finding a place to park your rig if you don’t build windows for a living (Anderson employee lot is next to the ramp). Bayport does not allow parking with a trailer on city streets.

Also, the lady from the city told me that it’s pretty shallow just off from the ramp.

Thanks for the info on the Hudson ramps! I have a 2 wheel drive, so I’ll remember to avoid the sandy one!

Keytree

Good info Key. Thanks.

Keytree,
The lady is correct, the launch is really shallow BUT with a 16′ boat you should be all right . Even Andersen window employees arn’t allowed to park there vehicles there until after 3pm on weekdays.

Key, best bargain (my opinion) is Bluffs Regional Park. Year long permit is $20 (I think) and you park free and launch at a great facility. Not much help if you want to fish in Hudson but the low-end area is great too.

Steve,

I didn’t know about Bluffs. I’d driven by there a few times but always thought it was a corporate retreat place or something. I’ll check it out!

Thanks!

Keytree

The bluffs’ is the way to go, but you gotta watch out in summer, it gets super, super, busy, be out there very early or very later 7:30 pm-ish.

there is also Beanies ramp. I know it can be busy on weekends, but if you are like me and get there early you can park down below and dont have to wait. They also have season passes. Tell them Bill sent you (a little self promo), ask for Dottie. Its sad but i’ve lived within 10 min. of the croix my whole life and I would have never thought that a person would have to worry where they were going to launch their boat at. It seems that the powers that be are winning the war against the little guys and are catering to the cruisers that create the destruction, noise pollution, and make it next to impossible to take my 83yr old grandfather out on a sat. afternoon without beating him to ****. Jon J is right by predicting that in the near future, N. of stillwater will be closed to all motorized traffic and there will also be more no-wake zones implemented. I know the river is there for everyones use and that most people dont even realize what we have, as in a pristine and clean resource, but the fact of the matter is that 15 years ago there was a quarter of the big boats but the same amount of small boats WITH LITTLE OR NO WAKE EROISION AND NOISE POLLUTION. Now we ” the fisherpeople” are being pushed around, limited access, and told we cant anchor because the big boats dont like it. I dont mean to go off on a tantrum, but I’m getting tired of losing ground to urbanites who have no investment other then a couple hundred dollars in gas a weekend and a 100k boat. Maybe instead of further restrictions on speed, access, and wakes maybe we should take a look at restricting #’s and size. How about making a guy with twin 500’s in his boat buy a permit for access to the croix for $500 a year to pay for damage and pollution. I bet that would send em packing or screaming…. Good luck on the opener to all, enjoy the peace and quiet while you can!!

I hear ya rat. I find myself hoping it’s raining or cold when I want to go fishing just so the pleasure traffic is down.

Amen River Rat! See you out there.

Earl