Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Bass Fishing => Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion => Topic started by: Revtro on May 01, 2018, 10:27:53 AM

Title: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Revtro on May 01, 2018, 10:27:53 AM
Just a heads up. 

The Cutoff ramp is a mess.  Docks still not in.

Harley Ensign has some docks in and conditions are good.  Hopefully all the remaining docks will be in by the DK.

The 9 Mile ramp is shallow.  I had to put my truck WAY into the water in order to get the boat on and off the trailer.  Honestly I hate that ramp for lots of reasons.  But it's open and busy.  This is the only ramp in St. Clair Shores that will allow non-residents to launch.  The cost is $10.  They don't usually ask for ID.  Prepare to get your exercise walking the 1/4 Mile from the dock to the parking lot.  Bring a skateboard or something.

The 11 Mile (Library) and Blossom Heath launches are still NOT allowing nonresidents to launch.  The guy at 11 Mile IS asking for IDs from everyone who does not have a sticker.  I haven't even bothered with Blossom Heath because the almost always ask for ID.  You'd think they'd like more income at these ramps.  Oh well. 

If you are coming out this way from the West, don't plan on 696 for the return ride home.  696 is now totally shut down for Westbound traffic and will be that way till November (if you believe them LOL).  I just made the trip up from AL to MI up 75 a few weeks ago and don't remember if we got detoured.  Must have been no big deal. 

Oh, then there's Metro Beach.  If you want to pay exorbitant prices and have a 20 minute idle out to the lake...go for it.  LOL  (Hint:  Just go the extra couple miles to Harley.)
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: stackenem on May 01, 2018, 03:10:17 PM
Just tell them at metro you are a senior citizen and it's cheaper!!!
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: bob o on May 01, 2018, 05:33:38 PM
Oh, then there's Metro Beach.  If you want to pay exorbitant prices and have a 20 minute idle out to the lake...go for it.  LOL  (Hint:  Just go the extra couple miles to Harley.)

unless you know the short cut....shhhhhh
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Revtro on May 01, 2018, 06:03:43 PM
Quote from: bob o on May 01, 2018, 05:33:38 PM
unless you know the short cut....shhhhhh

True.  Although I wonder with the water up like it is, if it'll be easy to get thru.  My old boat could never make it under that bridge. 
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: dartag on May 02, 2018, 06:28:17 AM
Went to Metro last year.   You can't use the short cut as the water to high. 
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: 1BADAIR on May 02, 2018, 04:34:47 PM
that bridge is supposed to be removed
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: 1BADAIR on May 02, 2018, 04:38:23 PM
should be gone or gone really soon
http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20180403/NEWS/180409916
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: dartag on May 02, 2018, 05:31:35 PM
Quote from: 1BADAIR on May 02, 2018, 04:38:23 PM
should be gone or gone really soon
http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20180403/NEWS/180409916

Great article until it says they need 600-700 per homeowner.  That will put the brakes on it.  Deal with that a lot here on the lake.
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: 1BADAIR on May 02, 2018, 06:01:26 PM
that was to replace it.  thats why its getting torn down
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: djkimmel on May 02, 2018, 10:29:47 PM
Wonder why 9 Mile is shallow? The water is up... last time I launched there it seemed okay depth-wise?

Sounds like they are going to put the bridge back over the Metro shortcut. Are they going to make it higher off the water maybe? That would be nice. I didn't think anyone has been able to use the shortcut for the past few seasons?
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Team houston on May 03, 2018, 06:49:21 AM
Dan, the depth of the water is fine at 9 mile. Its the angle of the ramp that makes it so you have to have all four wheels of the vehicle in the water to load.
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Revtro on May 03, 2018, 07:28:58 AM
Quote from: Team houston on May 03, 2018, 06:49:21 AM
Dan, the depth of the water is fine at 9 mile. Its the angle of the ramp that makes it so you have to have all four wheels of the vehicle in the water to load.

Yes, sorry that is what I meant to say.  I had water up to my front door before I could get my boat off the trailer.  Didn't like that.  If you have a higher riding vehicle, it's probably not a problem. 
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Hollada on May 03, 2018, 09:45:30 PM
At least they raised the dock at nine mile so it's above water this year....
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: djkimmel on May 04, 2018, 12:40:15 PM
Well... that part is good.
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Revtro on May 22, 2018, 02:58:20 PM
Talked to a CO the other day.  They said they hope the cutoff ramp will be open sometime this week.  He said they contracted out the work this year.  I drove by and there is an excavator there but no one working.  :/
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: djkimmel on May 26, 2018, 06:29:39 PM
I got the word by email yesterday evening that the Clinton River Cutoff ramp is now open! Finally!
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Rangerman on June 20, 2018, 07:45:03 AM
Well guys we used 9mile, Crocker, Selfridge and even Fairhaven with no problems all last week and all ramps in good shape except Crocker the trash in the water will total a trailer loading and unloading but ramp is find :)  Now roads getting to the lake that is a different story. Pick you route very careful. Coming from south I-75 open to I 94 no problems other than construction.  Heading back is the problem with I-696 close, had I-94 shut down Saturday had to cut accross Detroit back to I-75 and then back on I-94 to I-275 and then back on I-75.  Confused yet, thank God for a Garmin with updated traffic :) :) :)
Title: Re: 4-30 Ramps on St. Clair
Post by: Revtro on June 20, 2018, 08:11:31 PM
Yes, if you use the cutoff ramp, do 2 things:
1. Make sure your motor is spitting water when you launch.
2. Clean the inlets when you get the boat back on the trailer. 

That crap in the water will clog the engine right up.