Hello all Ottawa Carleton Area Boaters

Hi, my name is John Thompson and I am trying to compile a list of ALL boat ramps in the Ottawa and surrounding area. I am an avid fisherman/boater (catch and release) and am always trying to find new water. Please send me directions to any boat launches you may know about. Include whether there is a launch fee or not, what type (paved, concrete or natural) and what size boat you think could get in and out. I will post them here and anywhere else if anyone wants them.

I reside in Kanata, Ontario but I can include any boat ramp locations if you wish. Just send them my way!

AREA	#	PLACE	TYPE	FEE/SIZE
Mississippi Lake Area	1	Mississippi lake @ Carleton Place, right in town, just past the canoe club. Follow the signs	2 launches concrete	$5.00 and any boat size.
	2	Mississippi lake. 2 miles west of Innisville on 9th line(turn left heading west on Highway 7)	Natural	Free/ small to medium boats
	3	Mississippi Lake, Johns Marina, south shore road	Multi lane	$7, Any size boats
Ottawa River Area	4	Ottawa River @ Shirley's Bay	Natural/Stone	Free/ Shallow, small to medium boats
	5	Ottawa River @ Crystal Beach - Nepean Sailing Club	Paving Stones	I think it is $5.00. Most size boats
	6	Ottawa River @Aylmer The Marina is located right in Aylmer at the very end of Rue Principal.	Two-lane concrete ramp	Free/small to large boats
*(Caution, see note # 1 below)*	7	Ottawa River @ Arnprior (right in town, follow the signs)	Cement but steep	Free but requesting donations. Any size boat
	8	Ottawa River @ Dunrobin Ports of call marina, corner of Vance's Sd Rd and Barlow	concrete	Pay $8.00
	9	Ottawa River @ Rockland, follow signs	There are two cement ramps complete with docking areas. Each ramp is about 15 feet across.	The fee is $12.00. Season Pass is $80.00 Any size boat.
	10	Ottawa River @ Rockliffe Yacht Club Situated at the bend near the Air Museum in Rockliffe	full concrete launch pad	20 feet or less $8.00 20 feet or more $12.00 Seasons pass any lengths $85
	11	North end of Blair Road (turn to the left at an intersection before Blair Road ends. The access road goes under the Parkway to the water)	Gravel road to the water's edge	Free
	12	Ottawa river @ Constance Bay (on the Bucham's Bay side )	Cement	Free/ Small to medium size boats
	13	Ottawa River @ Wendover Highway #17	Multiple lane concrete launch	Free, large boats ok.
*(Caution, see note # 3 below)*	14	Ottawa River @ Fitzroy Harbour	Concrete	Free
	15	Cumberland. At the rest area off highway 17 (now 174) just in front of the "Camelot" golf course. It is about 1km east of the traffic light for highway 17 and Cameron street (in front of Mr Gaz).	Gravel	Free. Is used to launch a 22 foot sailboat.
Ottawa River -Deep River Area	16	Ottawa River @ Deep River Marina	2 launches concrete	$5.00 or $60.00/season any boat size.
	17	Ottawa River, Pembroke. At Pembroke Marina, downtown Pembroke.	Concrete ramp, with good docking facilities. Any size boat.	$5.00
	18	Ottawa River @ Village of Rapides Des Joachims, Quebec, Hwy #17, 19 Km West of Deep River, take Hwy #635 north 3 Km to village.	2 launches concrete, (1 for small boats)	Free, any boat size
	19	Ottawa River @ Mackey, Hwy #17, 29 Km West of Deep River.	concrete launch	Free, small to medium boats
	20	Driftwood Provincial Park off Hwy #17 between Mackey and Stonecliffe about 33 Km west of Deep River.	concrete ramp	For small to medium size boats and the fee is the cost of a daily pass or is included in the camping fee as with any Provincial Park
	21	Ottawa River @ Stonecliffe, Hwy #17, 40 Km West of Deep River.	concrete launch, steep ramp, shallow water in front of concrete dock.	Free, small to medium boats
	22	Ottawa River @ Petawawa, Petawawa Point near mouth of Petawawa River	Cement launches (2)	Free
Muskrat Lake (Caution, see note # 4 below)	23	take Hwy#17 past Renfrew until you get to Cobden. In the town turn left at the first set of traffic lights beside the French fry stand. Then go do a very steep hill to the ramp beside the water filtration plant
Bonnechere River	24	You take Hwy#17 to Renfrew, turn left off the highway at the second turn off and head into town past the water tower. Turn left onto Hwy#132 at the third set of traffic lights and follow the Hwy#132 signs, which well have you make a left at those lights-turn right at the stop sign and then turn left at the church. Follow Hwy#132 until you see the boat launch sign and turn right.	Concrete launch	Free, limited parking
Algonquin Park Area	25	Achray Station, . On Grand Lake, Barron River System. Achray Campground. Achray Road (from Pembroke) access.	Gravel/sand ramp	Free, since you already paid to get in the park. Slighly steep, but good. Good dock nearby. Only light fishing boats (motor under 10hp) and canoes, kayaks, etc.
Rideau Lakes Area	26	Big Rideau Lake, Portland Area, Highway 15 Follow signs (public launch before marina)	Natural	Free
	27	Big Rideau Lake, Portland Area, Highway 15 Follow signs to Marina	Cement	Pay Ramp. Not sure of cost
* See Note #2 Below	28	Upper Rideau Lake, to launch, head south on 15, turn west onto Hwy 42 for about 10 km. Look for the public boat launch.	Need this info	Free/ medium sized boats okay
	29	Seeley's Bay, Ontario. Rideau River System. Town Marina.	Concrete ramp.	Free. Only shallow draft boats (less than 2 foot draught).
	30	Rideau Lake System Poonamalie Lock, Highway 15 Aprox 3 miles west of Smiths Falls	Natural	$5.00/ Shallow, small to medium size boats
	31	Rideau Ferry @ Lower Rideau Lake	Cement	$5.00/Shallow, small to medium size boats
	32	Big Rideau Lake @ Murphy's point Follow signs from Smiths Falls	Cement	$?/Excellent site for all boats
	33	Big Rideau, Rideau Ferry, Safari Marina (north shore)	Gravel	$7 large boats
Newboro Lake	34	From Carleton Place take Hwy 15 South. Turn right (west) onto Hwy 42 (Crosby) and head for Newboro. Look out for Lock Road and turn left onto it. Then keep your eyes open for the launch	Need this info	Pay launch and parking (cost?)
Clear Lake, Indian Lake, Benson Lake, Mosquito Lake (all one system)	35	Indian Lake Marina. Heading south on Hwy 15, keep your eyes open for Chaffey's Lock Rd and turn right (west). After about 7 km you'll see Marina Rd on the right. Head down Marina Rd. for a km.	Need this info	Pay (?)
	36	On Chaffey's Lock Rd go past Marina Rd heading west and just past Browns Marina turn right.	Need this info	Free
Opinicon Lake	37	From Smith's Falls head south on Hwy 15. Turn right on to RR9 and head for Chaffey's Locks. The launch is at the Opinicon Hotel is about 9 km down RR9.	Paved	$5.00
Sand Lake Area	38	Heading South on Hwy 15, head west on Jones Falls Rd for 5 km till you get to Sand Lake Rd on which you will turn right (north). The next left is Glover Rd. Take it to Hughes Rd and turn left again. Its about a km to the Marina .	Need this info	Launch fee (Fee ?)
	39	Keep going on Glover, there is a free launch at the end of the road.	Concrete	Free. Suitable for boats up to medium size. The limiting factor is the tight turn-around and the small amount of space for parking.
	40	Heading south on Hwy 15, in Elgin look out for Davis Lock Rd and head west for 1 km to Bush Rd. Turn left on Bush Rd and continue for half a km to Battams Rd. Turn right on Battams and go to the end (about 2 km).	Gravel	Free
Rideau River System	41	Take Riverside Drive south past Hunt Club which changes name to River Road. Travel 1 1/2 Km and look for the Echolands park sign on the right hand side of road shortly after the gas station	Cement	Free/ most size boats
	42	Uplands Marina ( formerly private, as CFB Uplands Marina) now open to the public. Located behind the old Fine's Flower (glass building) on Riverside drive	Paved launch for boats up to 22 feet	$10.00 includes parking (Special rates still apply for military personnel)
	43	Rideau River @ Kars 2 boat ramps in village core One out by river and one in behind the arena which has better parking.	Cement	Free
	44	Rideau River opposite Beckets Landing. Roger Stevens to Malakof road. Left and follow road right to river. Not a real boat ramp but works with smaller boats	Natural	Free
	45	Rideau River, 4th line south of North Gower, right on to Reeve Craig Rd South and then left onto Green Line rd.	Natural	Free (one of my favorites)
	46	Rideau River @ Manotick. On the west side of the bridge next to the library	Natural	$8.00/ small to medium
	47	TAYLOR PARK: Take River Road south, Past Manotick, approximately 3 km from the 4 way stop at Kars Bridge look for sign Taylor Park Conservation area on tight hand side of the road. follow signs to boat ramp.	Boat ramp shallow at dock (Type?)	Free
	48	Smiths Falls. Turn left onto Abbott St., cross bridge, then turn left at the Parks Canada Detached Lock. On Lower Rideau Lake/Rideau River.	Paved ramp.	Launch fee $6 No dock. Parking.
	49	Edmonds Lock Lane Take County Rd 17 (Jasper Road) from Smiths Falls to Edmonds Lock. On Rideau River.	Paved ramp.	No dock. Parking. Launch fee $6
	50	Riverside Camp10 km east of Smiths Falls on Hwy.43 to 1st entrance to River Road, continue another 5 km to 2nd entrance. The from 2nd entrance, travel 3 km to Riverside Camp (between Kilmarnock Lock and upper Merrickville Lock. On Rideau River.	Gravel/Dirt ramp.	Launch fee $5. Small boats to 16 ft.
	51	Montague Township From Riverside Camp, (see above ramp) continue past to Boat Launch Road. On Rideau River.	Gravel ramp.	Free Small boats to 14 ft. Narrow dock. Limited parking.
	52	Lions Campground, Merrickville From Smiths Fall, turn right at flashing light in Merrickville onto Main Street. Go past blockhouse parking then turn right at Lions Campground. On Rideau River (upstream of Merrickville locks).	Good paved ramp.	Launch fee $3.50 Accommodates larger boats. No dock at ramp. Parking.
	53	Rideau River Provincial Park 19 km north of Merrickville, turn left (west) onto County Rd 44, 5.5 km to Rideau River Provincial Park. On Rideau River.	Paved ramp to shallow gravel.	Day use fee $7.50.16 foot boat limit. Cement pier, parking, toilets.
	54	Pirates Cove Marina From Kemptville, head east on Hwy 43 then turn north on County Road 19 (River Road) for 5 km. Turn left (west) opposite Flynn Rod into Pirates Cove Marina. On Rideau River.	Paved ramp.	Launch fee $6 Good dock. Parking. Washrooms. Full marina facilities.
	55	W.A. Taylor Conservation Area on River Road (Cty Rd. 19), about 23 km south of Ottawa. Turn left (west) opposite junction of Road 114 to Osgoode, and go into W.A. Taylor Conservation Area. On Rideau River.	Paved ramp	Use Fee $5 Good dock. Toilets. Day
	56	Long Island Marina 2 km north on Commodore Lane in Kars. On Rideau River.	Gravel ramp.	Launch fee $6 Dock.
	57	Hurst Marina on Rideau River Road (County 19), just past intersection with Roger Stevens Rd. On Rideau River.	Concrete	Docking. Services. Launch Fee ?
	58	Gloucester Eccolands Park 11 km north of Manotick, turn left opposite Environmental Technology Centre. On Rideau River	Wide paved ramp.	Free Floating docks. Parking. Toilet.
	59	Hogs Back Marina Park Hwy 16 turns into Price of Wales Drive. Turn right onto Hogs Back Road, past lock station (on left/north), turn right (south) into marina. On Rideau River (upstream of Hogs Back Locks)	Wide paved to cement ramp.	Launch Fee $8 Docking. Toilets. Parking ($2).
	60	Dow's Lake at the Pavilion off Prince of Wales Drive, turn right at Preston. On Dow's Lake.	Wide corrugated cement ramp.	Launch Fee $10 Parking ($5).
Christie Lake	61	Heading west from Perth, take Hwy 7 to Tay Rd (County Road 6) and turn left. Follow Tay Rd and you'll see a sign for Christie Lake and Christie Lake Cottages & Marina. Launch your boat at the Marina.	Paved	Small to large boats, but they charge 5.00 in and 5.00 out, quite expensive (rumored to be a free spot on other side of lake. Need this info)
Sharbot Lake	62	From Ottawa take the Queensway west to Hwy 7. When you hit RR38 turn south. There's a public launch right at the bridge separating the two halves of Sharbot Lake.	Gravel	Free but accepts donations. Dock to tie up to.
Crotch Lake	63	Heading west from Perth, take Hwy 7 and follow it all the way to Hwy 509 (just after Silver Lake, just before Sharbot Lake). Head north on 509 for about 10 kms to Clarendon Station. Turn left (west) onto Ardoch Rd which becomes Clarendon Rd. About 10 kms from Clarendon Station you'll hit the bottom of Crotch Lake and keep your eyes open for the public boat launch. You can also launch at the marina at Tumblehome Lodge for a small fee.	Need this info	Need this info
White Lake Area North End	64	If you're coming from Ottawa and want to launch in the north end, you may as well launch in the town of White Lake. From Ottawa take Hwy 17 to Arnprior and go south on RR2 to White Lake. Look for public boat launch signs.	Need this info	Need this info
*South End*	65	If your coming from Ottawa take the Queensway and Highway 17 west to Antrim. Turn south on to RR20 - drive a ways and you'll cross the stone bridge. Turn left, go two blocks and turn right at the Frances Fuel. Follow signs to Cedar Cove.	Need this info	Small launch fee applies.
Madawaska Lake	66	From Ottawa take Hwy 17 west. You'll eventually cross the Mississippi River and the Madawaska River. When crossing the Madawaska, you'll see the Arnprior Generating Station on your left (a big dam). Take your next left and drive along the side of the lake until you see the launch.	Gravel but good	Free
	67	From Ottawa take Hwy 17 west turn left at the next set of lights past the lake and turn south towards White Lake. Just after you past the large "S" in the road you should see the sign to the "Mud Bank" boat launch on your left.	The launch is gravel	Free
Calabogie Lake	68	From Ottawa take the Queensway (417) to Hwy 17. A few kms past Arnprior you'll see Hwy 508. Head south on 508 to the town of Calabogie. There's a public launch just past Calabogie Lodge (the boat launch sign maybe missing).	Good Gravel Launch	Free
Charleston Lake	69	Charleston Lake #1 at the end of hwy 5. This is at the East end of the lake and takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes to get there from Ottawa (416 south to Kempville, 43 west to Merrickville, 15 south to16 west to 29 south to 8 west to 5 south	Concrete	No Charge
	70	Charleston Lake #2. The second is 100 feet from the above launch, turn right on the last street	Concrete	Takes Donations
	71	Charleston Lake #3. The third launch is in the provincial Park	Concrete	$8.00 for day pass
	72	Charleston Lake #4 is in the town of Outlet which is only 10 minutes south of the provincial park	Single cement launch that leads up to a gravel parking area	Free to launch and to park.
Madawaska River Area	73	Madawaska River North end of bridge at Burnstown Less than a mile east to public park.	Gravel	During the summer months it is $3.00 to launch a boat or $2.00 to park a car.
Clyde River	74	Clyde River Lanark Village Drive past softball stadium.	Gravel	Free
Pike Lake	75	South end of Perth find County Road 10. Follow 10 west. The road will split left off to Stanleyville. Stay right (don't go to Stanleyville) to get to the public boat launch - look for signs.	Concrete	Free
Constance Lake	76	Constance Lake (drive down Murphy side road into Constance Lake Seaplane base)	Cement	$5.00
Silver Lake Area	77	Silver Lake Provincial Park (Highway #7)	Cement	$8.00
	78	Silver Lake, 1 km past @ rest area (Highway #7)	Natural	Free/ Limited Parking
Brockville Area	79	There are two in Brockville, One is at the foot of Home Street and the other Henry Street.	Both hard surface (paved? concrete?)	Both free, both used regularly by boats large and small.
	80	Gilbert's Marine on Jessie Street, Very narrow laneway down to it	Need this info	(Probably a pay site)
Gananoque Area	81	Downtown Gananoque at the west end of St. Lawrence Street.	Concrete, for any size boat	Free
Mallorytown Landing	82	At a parking lot run by Parks Canada, look for signs	Concrete, wide enough to handle two large boats at the same time, difficult for medium and large boats in the fall when the water level is down.	$5.00 to launch and $5.00 per day to park you vehicle and trailer.
	83	Also a private marina right beside it, to the east.	Natural (sand, gravel and mud), very steep ramp into shallow water. Poorly maintained. Generally not intended for public use *This site is not recommended*	(cost?)
Prescott	84	Prescott, not at the town harbour, but down another little obscure, twisty road further towards the west end of town.	Need this info	Need this info
Cornwall	85	Behind RCAF Association on Water Street (jet fighter plane in front yard), 300 yards East of International Bridge	The launch is brand new and made of concrete and wide enough for two boats to launch at the same time	free.
	86	Also in this area (9 miles West of Cornwall) at Long Sault, there's a marina at the West end of the village (visible from HWY 2) with two launches	Need this info	it's either $4.00 or $8.00 to launch your boat there
	87	There is also a free launch in the Provincial Park at Long Sault but since it costs to enter the park, the launch isn't exactly free unless you were going into the park anyway.	launches are old, wood and only wide enough for 1 boat	(cost?)

* Note # 1* The cement ramp in Arnprior has a deep drop off at the end of it. I was up there on October 08, 2000 and when I launched my boat one of the tires on my boat trailer went off the end and we got hung up and had a heck of a time getting back out. So use caution!

* Note #2*Lew from Deep River used it this summer. He writes "It is natural sand ramp and is fairly shallow water. I had no problem with my 17' Starcraft with 75 Merc on a roller trailer but a bunk trailer would be iffy because your vehicle would be in the water to be able to float your boat off the bunks."

* Note #3* The launch is concrete and there is a concrete wharf beside it. The problem is that the water levels are unpredictable (at the whim of the overflow allowed at the hydro dam). I have seen the water fluctuate a couple feet in a day. Usually the water levels are very low which makes the concrete wharf unusable (too high).

Once launched, head to the right of the small island with engine trimmed up. At the far side of the island, there are navigation buoys. Follow them out to the river.

* Note #4* Word of warning from Mark C. "Do not turn into the fry stand from the hill or you will bottom out your tow vehicle and if you keep going you will tear you motor off your boat, even if it is in the stored position with you transom saver on". There are many scars on the road to attest to this fact and from personal experience it is true.

So, send me your boat launches and I will post them here. If there is anything else you would like to see, by all means let me know.

If I find anything useful, I will put it here. Just right click and use the"save as" and save it to your computer.

Howe Sound Area:	1	Porteau Cove - about 1/2hr drive up the Squamish Hy from Horseshoe Bay - Sometimes pretty rough water, often hard to park	2 concrete launches with concrete dock between	Free (Provincial Park)
	2	Sunset Marina - about 10 minutes up the Squamish Hwy from Horseshoe Bay	Need this info	$15/day for launch/retrieve/park
Vancouver Hbr Area	3	Cates Park - about 10 minutes up Deep Cove road from Second Narrows - Sometimes a heavy tide going by	room for 4-5 across concrete launch, two wooden docks	Cost $6 (Provincial Park)
	4	Kitsilano - Next to the Planetarium - VERY busy area! both on the streets and in the water - Larger boats NOT recommended due to narrow, busy streets	3-4 (?) concrete launches, wooden docks	Cost $6-7 (for parking)
	5	Port Moody - In the town of Port Moody - Nice launch, lots of parking	Need this info	Don't know cost, but probably over $10
	6	Ambleside just west of Lions Gate Bridge in West Vancouver	Need this info	Single launch ramp, government dock with space for at most one or two small craft. Very limited parking- four spots. Free
Fraser River	7	McDonald Park - 15 minutes up road next to Airport, going to Iona Park	2 concrete ramps (each with room for 2), 2 wooden docks - plenty of parking	Cost $7
	8	Shelter Island Marina - off Westminster Hy in Richmond, about a mile east of Hy 91.	Need this info	Small, narrow launch for smaller boat - Free
Pitt Lake	9	Grant Narrows Regional Park - down Dewdney Trunk Road, north on Hale Rd (?)	Double-wide concrete ramp, gravel ramp, wooden dock	Cost $8 (parking)
Alouette Lake	10	Golden Ears Provincial Park - down Dewdey Trunk Road, north on 232 St, East on Fern Cr. Rd.	Concrete ramp for 4-5, two wooden docks	Free
Harrison Lake	11	Harrison: - East end of town	Double-wide concrete ramp, wooden dock.VERY busy in the summer - hard to park!	Cost $13
	12	Sasquatch Park (Green Point) - Down Rockwell Drive to Green Point picnic area	Rockwell Drive is very winding and narrow - not for bigger boats - Sometimes rough water - Concrete ramp, no dock	Free

I found a great article on the care of deep cycle batteries	Deep Cycle Batteries
All of the camp sites of Ontario	Camp Sites
A camping list I made a few years ago so I will not forget anything. It is bit personalized but you can adjust it to better suit your needs.	Camping List

Click on Fish-Hawk to go to an excellent site for information on fishing in the Ottawa Valley. There is pictures, maps to local lakes and very helpful hints
For excellent information on the Rideau River and Lakes system, check out Ken Watson awesome site, http://www.rideau-info.com/canal/welcome.html#menu
Another excellent boat launch site where he even has a picture of each ramp. Check out http://www3.sympatico.ca/inthezone/launch.htm
Fishing, hunting, camping and all your favorite outdoor leisure activities are covered in our site. Your one stop source for all pro sports results and info on your favorite teams. http://members.home.net/walleyewarrior/