Muskegon and Grand Haven boat ramps

[DiverDennis]

Saturday (9-29) Beth and I towed the boat from Lansing to Muskegon intending to catch a few salmon because the RECON* buoy said .7 ft waves and NOAA Nearshore reported 'around one foot'. We made it to Beach St. at dawn and were stunned to see 2-3 footers rolling in. We've had our fill of rough water fishing so we napped in the truck for a while, took a walk on the beach, drove over to Harbor Towne Marina (where we intended to launch), and then checked in at the Shoreline Inn. Had lunch at the Lake House and saw a bunch of salmon swimmng around in the marina. Couldn't believe it. A few kids were trying to get them to bite without success.

Sunday was better near shore with the NE winds but the fishing report from Shoreline Service Bait & Tackle bait shop was the fish were out deep with the 3-5 footers. So we decided to check the launch ramps to see what effect the low water levels are having on them.

Muskegon:

We used Fisherman's Landing 2 weeks ago and it was very good. Use the ramp second from the left. The middle ramp is roped off because of damaged concrete under water. We heard they are planning a repair soon.

Harbor Towne is ok but could see a problem controlling the stern because of the short dock. Keel would probably be hitting the condrete. Beth would need a ladder to climb down to boat.

Grand Trunk is real shallow with a narrow trough to navigate.

Hartshorn has sharp dropoff at the end of concrete. Could damage tires attempting to pull heavy boat up and over it.

Grand Haven:

Watched 2 boats get stuck in the same spot on Sunday (9-30) at the municipal ramp. One was stuck when we got there and a 30'Sea Ray when we came back from lunch at Dee Lite (dropped the boat off at the launch). I'm sure they sucked in plenty of mud and sand into their cooling systems. Good samaritans were able to pull them free. We hung out for a while assisting and advising new launchers where not to go. Must go straight out and to the right of the RED buoy to get to channel. The bad area is left of the buoy as you are standing on the docks.

Although we didn't get the boat wet, it was a great day to be out and about.

Dennis & Beth

*Realtime Coastal Observation Network (RECON) Station (Muskegon buoy) - www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/recon/station-mkg.html

[Hooked Up]

I was at North Shore Marina (GH - the marina on the north side closest to Lake M) and they were dredging in there as well.

The stated they had a few bigger boats that needed to get hauled out by the in/out dock and wouldn't make it otherwise:eek: