Boat Ramps In Massachusetts: Open Or Closed?

Massachusetts has a lot to offer when it comes to boating. With over 1200 miles of seashore, lakes, ponds, and streams, there are plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing. The state offers various boat ramps, providing access to lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal waterways. These boat ramps can be found in different areas, including state parks, forests, and reservoirs. Some ramps are paved, designed for bigger boats, while others are gravel, meant for smaller boats. In addition, Massachusetts provides ample parking for boat trailers and sport fishing piers for recreational anglers.

Boat ramp fees and charges

In some cases, boat ramps may be free to use, but parking fees or permits may be required. For example, the boat ramp at Buttermilk Bay Electric Avenue in Bourne is free to use, but parking fees may apply. Similarly, the Town Ramp on Scudder's Lane in Barnstable does not charge a fee for ramp use, but parking is limited.

Additionally, some locations may offer discounted or waived fees for residents. For instance, the Wings Cove Ramp in Mattapoisett is a municipal ramp that is open to the public but offers parking only to residents.

It is always a good idea to consult the town offices or visit the official websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding boat ramp fees and charges in Massachusetts.

Boat ramp locations

Massachusetts has a wide variety of boat ramps, with access to lakes, ponds, rivers, and coastal waterways. The state's boat ramps offer something for everyone, from paved ramps for larger boats to gravel ramps for smaller vessels. There is also ample parking available for boat trailers, and many ramps provide access to excellent fishing spots.

• Charles River (Waltham): Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp, or gravel ramp for smaller boats, with parking for boat trailers. Fish species include largemouth bass, northern pike, white perch, pickerel, and black crappie. Managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.
• Wendell State Forest: Non-motorized boats can be launched from the ramp at the northern end of Wickett Pond.
• Brownell Street Boat Ramp at the Taunton River Basin: Concrete boat ramp and parking for boat trailers. Fish species include striped bass, bluefish, tautog, fluke, and squeteague. Managed by the City of Fall River.
• South Shore Drive, Yarmouth: Concrete boat ramp and parking for boat trailers with coastal access for all types. The sport fishing pier provides a fishing area for recreational anglers and is barrier-free. Managed by the Town of Yarmouth.
• Mystic River access at Wellington Yacht Club: State Department of Conservation and Recreation public launch for small boats, maintained by the Wellington Yacht Club.
• Cochituate State Park: The boat ramp is located on Middle Lake, one of three large sections of the lake. No personal watercraft are allowed on any sections of the lake, and water skiing is only permitted on South Lake. Boating is restricted to daytime hours, and boaters must control their wake.
• Charles River (Brighton): Concrete boat ramp with parking for boat trailers. Fish species include largemouth bass, northern pike, white perch, pickerel, and black crappie. Managed by the state Department of Conservation.
• Lynn Shores & Nahant Beach Reservation: Boat launch onto Lynn Harbor within a large, two-pronged reservation on Nahant Bay.
• Mattapoisett Harbor (Short Wharf): Concrete boat ramp with parking for boat trailers. Fish species include striped bass, bluefish, tautog, and fluke. Managed by the Town of Mattapoisett.
• Barnstable Harbor (Blish Point): Concrete boat ramp and parking for boat trailers with coastal access for all types. Fish species include striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and flounder. Managed by the Town of Barnstable.
• Hopkinton State Park: Concrete boat ramp for non-motor boats only. The reservoir is stocked with fish.
• Onota Lake Boat Launch: Boat ramp and rentals of motor boats, canoes, and kayaks are available at this fresh-water lake.
• Horseneck Beach State Reservation: Launch non-motorized or motorized boats from designated areas. The primary public boat launch is located near The Back Eddy restaurant, with another launch at the south end of the park near Gooseberry Island.
• Tolland State Forest: For a small fee, you can launch your motorized boat from the public boat ramp at Otis Reservoir.
• Mystic Lakes State Park: Small concrete ramp, concrete pad ramp, or gravel ramp for smaller boats, with parking for boat trailers. No motorized boats are allowed. Fish species include largemouth bass, pickerel, and black crappie. Managed by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation.
• Douglas State Forest: Features a concrete boat ramp and parking for boat trailers. Water sports activities include swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing on Wallum Lake.

Boat ramp types

Boat ramps are used to launch small craft using trailers and tow vehicles. They require a sloping paved surface that goes from the level of the land at the top to a point below low tide, providing sufficient depth for the boat to be floated off the submerged trailer. The most common type of boat ramp is a sloping concrete surface with a typical ratio of one vertical to eight horizontal.

When selecting a site for a boat ramp, several factors must be considered, such as site accessibility, proximity to roads and other ramps, water depth, siltation rates, and usable land area for parking and turning radius. The design of the ramp should accommodate the type and size of boats that will be launched and retrieved, with larger trailered boats requiring a different design than a canoe or car-top boat in shallow water.

Boat ramps can be constructed using various methods, including pre-cast concrete slabs, in-situ concrete, or a combination of both. In-situ concrete boat ramps are typically constructed by cofferdamming the ramp area, pumping out the water, and then placing and finishing the concrete in the dry. This method provides better control over the horizontal and vertical alignment of the slab. Another method is to form and pour the ramp on a thin layer of sand or crusher run and then push it into the water with a track machine.

Boat ramps should have a rough finish to provide traction for tow vehicles, especially in the tidal zone where marine growth may be present. Grooves, typically in a "V" shape, can be added to the trafficable surface to improve grip.

In addition to boat ramps, slipways are used for launching and retrieving larger vessels that cannot be accommodated by trailers, such as fishing trawlers. Slipways typically consist of a dedicated bogey equipped with cast-iron wheels that run on steel rails.

Fishing spots

Massachusetts is a great state for fishing, with over 1200 miles of seashore and hundreds of lakes, ponds, and streams. There are plenty of spots for fishing, whether you're looking to fish from the shore or from a boat. Here are some of the top fishing spots in Massachusetts:

Charles River

The Charles River offers several access points for fishing. At Waltham, there is a small concrete ramp, a concrete pad ramp system, or a gravel ramp designed for smaller boats, with fish species including largemouth bass and white perch. At Brighton, there is a concrete boat ramp with access to fish species such as largemouth bass and northern pike. Additionally, at Needham, there is cartop access for small boats, canoes, and kayaks, with fish species including largemouth bass and northern pike.

Wendell State Forest

Located at 392 Montague Road, Wendell, this state forest offers a launch ramp for non-motorized boats at the northern end of Wickett Pond. It provides access to fish species such as largemouth bass and pickerel.

Barnstable Harbor

Barnstable Harbor, managed by the Town of Barnstable, offers a concrete boat ramp and parking for boat trailers. It provides coastal access for all types of boats and features two lanes and a concrete ramp. Fish species include striped bass, bluefish, fluke, and flounder.

Mystic River

Access to the Mystic River is available at the Wellington Yacht Club in Medford. This is a public launch for small boats maintained by the yacht club, with fish species including largemouth bass and pickerel.

Beartown State Forest

Beartown State Forest in Monterey features Benedict Pond, which attracts boaters and anglers year-round. The boat ramps here vary from small concrete ramps to gravel ramps designed for smaller boats, with parking for boat trailers also available. Fish species include trout and largemouth bass.

Hampton Ponds State Park

Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield offers a variety of water sports activities, including motor boating, canoeing, and kayaking. It is a great spot for fishing, with fish species such as largemouth bass and northern pike.

Boat registration

The Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau is responsible for registering motorboats, snowmobiles, and recreational vehicles in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The state requires any motor-powered boat or boat operated on a Massachusetts public waterway to be registered. This includes motorized fishing boats, canoes and sailboats with motors, and jet skis or wet bikes. Non-motorized boats are exempt from registration, as are boats registered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

There are five registration offices conveniently located across Massachusetts to serve customers:

• Boston Registration Office: 136 Blackstone Street, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02109. Phone: (617) 626-1610. Fax: (617) 626-1630.
• Fall River Registration Office: 99 South Main Street, Suite 250, Fall River, MA 02721. Phone: (508) 679-8287. Fax: (508) 679-0066.
• Hyannis Registration Office: 75 Perseverance Way, Suite 207A, Hyannis, MA 02601. Phone: (508) 771-8382. Fax: (508) 771-2334.
• Springfield Registration Office: 1 Federal Street, Building 101, Springfield, MA 01105. Phone: (413) 733-1642. Fax: (413) 733-2154.
• Worcester Registration Office: 67 Millbrook Street, Suite 350, 3rd Floor, Worcester, MA 01606. Phone: (508) 753-0603. Fax: (508) 752-6132.

The Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau provides a range of services, including first-time boat registration, registration renewal, and requests for duplicate registrations, titles, and decals. They also offer boating safety courses to promote safe boating practices.

Frequently asked questions