Lake Erie Boat Ramps: Open Or Closed?

Lake Erie is a boater's paradise, with its shores dotted with marinas, transient docking facilities, and boat ramps that provide easy access to the water. Whether you're an angler in search of the abundant fish species that call the lake home, or a recreational boater looking to explore Erie's beautiful waterfront, there are plenty of options to get your boat into the water. From public boat ramps with various fees and amenities to free public boat launch ramps offered by the Port of Erie, there's something for everyone. So, if you're planning to spend a day on the lake, you'll want to know which boat ramps are open and ready to use.

Black River Wharf Boat Launch

The Black River Wharf Boat Launch is located at 1355 Black River Parkway in Lorain, Ohio. It is a great destination for boating, fishing, and kayaking. The site offers beautiful views of the Black River and a sizable pavilion with picnic tables for waterfront lunches. The boat launch also provides kayak rentals and fishing and camping supplies through Grumpy's Bait Bucket.

Directions

The entrance to the Black River Wharf Boat Launch is conveniently located just a short distance from the intersection of 14th Street and Broadway Avenue. It features a large parking lot with 170 spaces, accommodating larger trucks hauling boats and gear.

Passes and Fees

Season passes for the Black River Wharf Boat Launch are available for purchase at $70 per person. These passes include access to the Lakeside Launch on Lakeside Avenue. Passes can be bought online or by visiting the Oasis Marinas at Port Lorain Office during business hours (9 am to 5 pm). A daily fee of $5 may be applicable for boat launching, payable by credit card only.

Edgewater Park Boat Launch

If you're looking for a place to launch your boat in Lake Erie, Edgewater Park Boat Launch in Cleveland is a great option. Located east of Edgewater Marine and west of the NEORSD Westerly Plant, this boat launch offers eight lanes, restrooms, and a spacious 100 vehicle and trailer parking area. You can launch your boat for a daily fee of $5, payable by credit card only.

The Edgewater Park Boat Launch is just one of several public boat ramps available on Lake Erie. Other options include Black River Wharf Boat Launch in Lorain, Fairport Harbor Port Authority in Fairport Harbor, and Gordon Park Boat Launch in Cleveland. These boat ramps typically charge a small daily fee for launching, usually around $5, and some offer additional facilities such as parking lots and boarding docks.

If you plan to visit Edgewater Park Boat Launch regularly, you may want to consider purchasing an annual pass. The Cleveland Metroparks Boat Ramp Launch Annual Pass is valid for all Cleveland Metroparks boat ramps, including Edgewater Park, and offers a more cost-effective option for frequent boaters. This pass can be a convenient way to enjoy the lake without the hassle of purchasing a daily pass each time.

Whether you're a seasoned boater or just looking to spend a day on the water, Lake Erie offers a variety of boat launch options to suit your needs. With its convenient location, ample parking, and easy access to the lake, Edgewater Park Boat Launch is a great choice for anyone looking to explore the beautiful waters of Lake Erie. So grab your boat and head on over to enjoy a day of fun and adventure on the lake!

Hot Waters Boat Ramp

The site is locally referred to as "Hot Waters" due to its unique location between a former power plant's warm water discharge to the west and the former ore docks to the east, now the Lorain Public Fishing Pier access site. The fishing pier is always open for anglers, and a bait and tackle store is conveniently located on-site as well.

In addition to boating and fishing, Hot Waters Boat Ramp also offers birding opportunities. The site is known to attract various species of gulls, waterfowl, and Red-breasted Mergansers. The nearby spoil impoundment and dense stands of giant reed also lure warblers, flycatchers, and sparrows during the migration season.

With its direct access to Lake Erie, ample parking, and proximity to fishing spots, Hot Waters Boat Ramp is an excellent choice for both leisure boaters and anglers looking to explore the lake.

Free public boat launch ramps

There are many public boat launch ramps around Lake Erie, some of which are free to use. Here is some detailed information on a few of them:

Black River Wharf Boat Launch

Located at 1355 Black River Parkway, Lorain, this boat launch offers season passes for $70, which include access to the Lakeside Launch on Lakeside Avenue.

Edgewater Park Boat Launch

This boat launch is located in Cleveland, east of Edgewater Marine and west of the NEORSD Westerly Plant. It offers eight lanes, restrooms, and 100 vehicle and trailer parking spaces. The daily fee is $5, credit card only.

Gordon Park Boat Launch

Open from April through November, this six-lane boat launch can be found on North Marginal Road between East 72nd Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Cleveland. It has a daily fee of $5, credit card only.

Hot Waters Boat Ramp

Hot Waters Boat Ramp is located at 1104 West 1st St., Lorain. It features a six-lane concrete ramp with three boarding docks and 200 parking spaces. No fees are listed for this location.

Sheffield Lake Community Park Boat Ramp

This boat ramp, found on East Lake Road and Lake Breeze Drive in Sheffield Lake, offers two concrete ramp lanes and one boarding dock. Parking is limited, and no fees are listed.

Lucas County Cooley Canal Launch Ramp

The Lucas County Cooley Canal launch ramp provides access to Lake Erie through the Cooley Canal. It is situated on Anchor Point Road off Corduroy Road, between Meinke West and Anchor Point marinas.

Metzger Marsh Launch Ramp

Located on Bono Road, just down from Meinke Marina East, the Metzger Marsh launch ramp offers access to Lake Erie, a fishing pier, and a marsh launch ramp (with no lake access from the marsh ramp). This launch ramp is managed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Erie County, New York

In Erie County, New York, several boat launch sites are available for public use. These include Amherst Veterans Canal Park, Buffalo Harbor State Park, Erie Basin Marina, Sturgeon Point Marina, and various locations along the Niagara River. Some of these sites may have invasive species present, such as zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas.

Boating and fishing in Port Erie

Boating and fishing are year-round activities in Port Erie, where Lake Erie meets the bayfront. The lake accounts for an estimated 50% of all fish in the Great Lakes, so anglers will find bass, trout, walleye, steelhead, salmon, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, sunfish, pike, and muskie in abundance.

Boating

The Port Erie waterfront is dotted with marinas, transient docking, and fuel facilities, making it convenient to explore the area by boat or kayak. There are also several boat ramps providing access to the lake. These include:

• Black River Wharf Boat Launch: 1355 Black River Parkway, Lorain. Season passes are $70 and include access to the Lakeside Launch on Lakeside Avenue.
• Edgewater Park Boat Launch: East of Edgewater Marine and west of the NEORSD Westerly Plant, Cleveland. Eight lanes, restrooms, and 100 vehicle and trailer parking spaces. $5 daily fee, credit card only.
• Miller Park Boat Launch: 33760 Lake Rd., Avon Lake. Open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. April through October, weather permitting. $5 fee per launch. The fishing pier is always open.
• Sheffield Lake Community Park Boat Ramp: East Lake Road and Lake Breeze Drive, Sheffield Lake. Two concrete ramp lanes and one boarding dock. Limited parking. No fees listed.
• Port Erie also offers free public boat launch ramps at four locations: Bay Harbor Marina, the foot of Chestnut Street, Lampe Marina, and the foot of East Avenue.

Fishing

Erie's Bayfront offers world-class fishing from a multitude of public shore-based fishing areas. Boat rentals and fishing charters are available for those wanting to head further out.

Marinas

Port Erie has several marinas offering various facilities and services:

• Wolverine Marina: A transient marina offering temporary docking for up to 10 days. Facilities include floating docks with water and electrical hook-ups, a pump-out station, laundromat, private showers, restrooms, vending machines, and a ship's store.
• Lampe Marina: A 253-slip marina located on the south shore of Lake Erie, with amenities including floating docks, a fuel dock, pump-out station, restrooms, showers, covered picnic shelters, public launch ramps, and 24-hour security.

Frequently asked questions