05-15-2014, 07:14 PM
[#0000FF]It depends on how heavy your kickboat is and how much value you place on "convenience".
There are several places around the perimeter of the lake to which you can drive, park and access the water without a fee. That works well for a lot of bank tanglers but carrying a lot of gear up and over the dike can be a workout. Plus, when the water reaches up past the base of the rocks on the dike it becomes more difficult to safely launch.
The one area that is most carry and launch friendly is the southwest corner (see attached maps). The roads are good to that point and there are small access roads up to the top of the dike...although they are gated. No vehicle access. On the lake side there is a clearing down through the rocks for you to get down and launch your kickboat more easily.
There is also a low cost ($3) parking area on the north dike. You can carry your craft down a short trail and onto the area of the campground...where there is sometimes decent launching in the NE corner.
Since you have not fished Willard before, you should take some time before or after your first trip to drive around wherever the roads will allow you and to investigate the potential for launching and fishing.
I buy an annual parks pass and am easily able to justify it. It is great to be able to drive up to the launch ramp and unload your gear at water's edge. Also some good fishing inside the harbors at times.
[/#0000FF]
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There are several places around the perimeter of the lake to which you can drive, park and access the water without a fee. That works well for a lot of bank tanglers but carrying a lot of gear up and over the dike can be a workout. Plus, when the water reaches up past the base of the rocks on the dike it becomes more difficult to safely launch.
The one area that is most carry and launch friendly is the southwest corner (see attached maps). The roads are good to that point and there are small access roads up to the top of the dike...although they are gated. No vehicle access. On the lake side there is a clearing down through the rocks for you to get down and launch your kickboat more easily.
There is also a low cost ($3) parking area on the north dike. You can carry your craft down a short trail and onto the area of the campground...where there is sometimes decent launching in the NE corner.
Since you have not fished Willard before, you should take some time before or after your first trip to drive around wherever the roads will allow you and to investigate the potential for launching and fishing.
I buy an annual parks pass and am easily able to justify it. It is great to be able to drive up to the launch ramp and unload your gear at water's edge. Also some good fishing inside the harbors at times.
[/#0000FF]
[signature]