This is good news for anyone who is not a resident of the City of St. Clair Shores. The 9 Mile boat ramp has now been made public for 2012. The ramp was previously limited to residents only though some people did launch there.
Now everyone, even I, should be safe to launch there. It is $10 per day to launch but if you're fishing that area, you can probably justify the savings in boat gas and avoid some rough water. The 9 Mile Rd boat ramp is now open to the public.
You can buy an annual permit for $100 for the 9 Mile boat ramp whether you are a resident of St. Clair Shores or not. If you fish St. Clair a lot and find that ramp convenient, you may want to buy this permit rather than pay $10 per day at the 9 Mile boat ramp.
You have to go to the City of St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation office (http://scsparksrec.net/) at the ice arena (map (http://www.mapquest.com/maps?state=MI&address=20000+Stephens+&zipcode=48080)) to buy the annual permit.
20000 Stephens St
Saint Clair Shores MI 48080-3109
586-445-5350
With the Clinton River Cut Off Boater Access Site so busy and often full early, this additional boat ramp allows closer access to the Mile Roads and the south flats for more boaters.
I apologize about the earlier confusion that other boat ramps were also made public. The 10 Mile Road (Blossom Heath) and 11 Mile Road are still limited to City of St. Clair Shores residents only though others do launch there. I can only recommend the 9 Mile Road boat ramp now that I have the City's information.
That is awsome! I have talked them into letting me launch @ 9mile a couple of times before. For those of us downriver anglers, Its either been St. Jeans or Harley Ensign. Thanks for sharing the good news.
You're welcome. I know some people launch there anyway but I don't usually get away with that kind of thing. Now it doesn't matter. They will even let me in there! :D
Can you post the exact locations of these ramps? 9 mile sounds like a good deal. I often launch at St Jeans to fish the S shore, this is another nice option.
They have always let me launch there no questions asked, this is good to know however.
Great ramp, great location, well worth the 10 bucks
Quote from: SethV on April 28, 2012, 08:13:26 AM
Can you post the exact locations of these ramps? 9 mile sounds like a good deal. I often launch at St Jeans to fish the S shore, this is another nice option.
Here is a information and map to the City of Saint Clair Shores 9 Mile boat ramp:
>The ramp at 9 Mile is literally at the end of 9 Mile Rd. I believe the only way to get into the ramp parking lot is off of 9 Mile Rd East of Jefferson Ave. See the top post for how to get an annual permit. The actual ramp is a ways down an access drive in the East corner of the lot.
Does anyone know if they have hours at this ramp? It appears that they sometimes get their very early or they will catch you on the way out.
I updated my top post because I talked to a lady from the City of Saint Clair Shores Parks and Recreation who told me that anyone can get a permit for the 9 Mile Road boat ramp. It is $100 per year. Details are in the first post on this thread. You can always get a daily launch permit for $10 at the ramp.
used the 11 mile ramp yesterday. super convenient. saved a lot of gas since we stayed in that area all day!
That's great to know! Was there someone at the booth collecting the ramp fee?
Quote from: djkimmel on April 30, 2012, 06:12:51 PM
That's great to know! Was there someone at the booth collecting the ramp fee?
There's always someone there. A gal during the week and an old timer on Sat. and Sun.
BD ;D
yes sir. guy there in the AM to work the gate and a lady in the PM to open it again. we put in at 830 and pulled out a 8 - but didn't seem like there was more than a handful of guys launching there.
great news, i'm guessing the city need some extra cash. it's about time.
Don't know if it's true, but someone told me they are closing Blossom Heath. True? Either way, the actual ramp has always been in rough shape. I stopped using it years ago because the other ramps are way nicer and have more parking.
The 9 Mile ramp does have the most parking. Just know that it's a little bit of a walk from the lot to the actual ramp, but the location is good. The 11 Mile ramp has limited parking right by the actual ramp, but there is some additional parking in the adjacent lot. When the pool is open and the weather is good, the lot does fill up, but not early like the Cutoff ramp. I am going to buy my SCS annual sticker this week, so I'll ask about non-residents being able to purchase annual permits and post when I know.
The 11 mile ramp sounds like a deal. I'll bet no one will run over your entire trailer there like they did to mine at Crockery last fall. >:(
Thanks for the updates. Let us know about the permit question Revtro. That will be helpful for some people who live outside the area a little but fish there a lot. Thanks!
Thanks for the updates. Let us know about the permit question Revtro. That will be helpful for some people who live outside the area a little but fish there a lot. Thanks!
Quote from: Waterfoul on May 01, 2012, 02:53:07 PM
The 11 mile ramp sounds like a deal. I'll bet no one will run over your entire trailer there like they did to mine at Crockery last fall. >:(
No, at 11 mile you got senior citizens that depending on where you park, will run into your vehicle or possibly hit your trailer. Hasn't happened to me, but the gal there has given me parking recommendations because of that issue. I do know some people that have been there that have had seniors hit their vehicle or trailer.
BD. ;D
never had a problem launching at either in the past, but then again doing so during the week they welcomed the business.
don't forget the dnr ramp off jefferson and crocker, weekends due get busy, but not as bad as harley ensign or selfridge, the only other issue being the direction of the wind.
capt
The Clinton River Cut Off ramp fills up very fast and early on many weekends. If you shoot for it, shoot early. Real early.
I launched at 10 mile Saturday morning. The ramp is not as big as Crocker but just as good in my opinion.The parking is not as big as crocker but if you are there early you will not have a problem.
If you launch at 10 mile make sure you have all your safety equipment in order because that is where the coastguard station is and they were checking all boats before launching. I was checked on the water Friday by the coastguard and Saturday at the ramp. I have an inspection sticker now so I hope I am good for the year.
I launched at the library on Saturday. East in and easy out. About 100 boats out there. Didn't see any Coast Guard out. It's always nice to see them cruising around when you're out there.
BD. ;D
Launched at St. Jean Sat. No problems.
Was there an attendant at St. Jean?? Is it still $10 to launch???
BD. ;D
Used the 11 mile ramp this past wed. The attendant told me the ramp is suppose to be for St. Clair shores residents but that Mon thru Thurs he would not turn away anyone unless for some reason the lot was getting full. He did say Fri, Sat & Sun might be a problem for a non-resident. It sure was neat to have the blue & purple wall right there coming out of the canal. We did fairly well catching 48 in approx 7 hrs. Rock bass are moving into the beds left by the smallies as we caught 30 plus of those as well.
The rock bass are on beds bigtime out there! You must have talked to 'that guy' that always has to be behind or contrary. I was at a meeting yesterday morning and I'm pretty sure I listened to his mayor talk about all the interesting things they are learning about the amount of demand for access and how far away some of it is coming from since they opened their ramps to the public. He was asking for ideas and help to find MORE PARKING.
I am not completely sure if the mayor of St. Clair Shores specifically mentioned all 3 ramps or just one so I will probably try to confirm with his office next week. I had several reliable sources for all three being public now.
I confirmed that ONLY 9 Mile Road boat ramp is open to everyone with the City of Saint Clair Shores Parks and Recreation today (5/29/2012). Sorry about the confusion. I had good sources but should have called the city to be absolutely sure before posting. Map and permit information is in the top post on this thread. Guess the mayor must have mentioned only 9 Mile and I missed the reference. Sorry about any confusion.
The guy at the 11 Mile ramp said the same thing to me regarding non-residents the other day when I asked him. I did go buy a permit. They made me show residency. So I guess that means the permits are for residents.
That time, there was no attendant when we launched but he was there when we got back. The next two times they were there very early 5:45am. it is still $10
This is more than a little disappointing and embarrassing. I had a rep for a major public group and several residents I can normally count on tell me that all 3 boat ramps at 9, 10 and 11 Mile Roads are public. It also came up at the Lake Erie / Lake St. Clair citizens advisory committee meeting and several group reps their repeated the same information.
I normally double-check any information at the source but I was busier than normal and figured the people who stated this are normally accurate because they know the right local people but I just called the City of St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation office and the lady there told me it is ONLY the 9 Mile Road public access site. I guess I was too happy and willing to see some really good positive news to share with everyone.
I apologize for getting everyone excited and causing some potential issues. I will update my original post and put out some clarification out about this. I did tell the P&R lady that I was very happy to hear the Mayor of St. Clair Shores tell people at the meeting Thursday how opening the ramp (I thought he said ramps but thinking back he may have mentioned 9 Mile early in his discussion) opened his eyes to the great demand and potential for attracting many more visitors to the area. I told her I hope that carries through to opening up all 3 ramps to the public.
She acknowledged that they are aware of the demand and the lack of public access in that long stretch of lake but 'at this time it is only the 9 Mile boat ramp.'
Oh well, baby steps I guess. The City of St. Clair Shores Parks and Recreation website is http://scsparksrec.net/. Phone number 586-445-5350. I'm not suggesting people call them and ask them to open all the ramps. A bunch of calls might not help but eventually, a way may present itself to expand the opportunity hopefully. The 9 Mile Ramp has the most parking anyway.
The mayor did say he now realizes they need to find more parking and he appealed to those present at the meeting Thursday to partner in figuring out ways to accomplish more parking and shoreline access.
I apologize for the confusion.
Quote from: Revtro on May 29, 2012, 07:48:54 AM
The guy at the 11 Mile ramp said the same thing to me regarding non-residents the other day when I asked him. I did go buy a permit. They made me show residency. So I guess that means the permits are for residents.
Did you buy your permit at the ice arena (City of Saint Clair Shores parks and recreation office)? Is your permit for one specific ramp or all ramps? I'm guessing maybe residents can get one permit for all ramps and non-residents go to the city parks and recreations office to get the permit for 9 Mile Road only based on my discussion today with the lady at that office.
One other piece of signs of gradual improvement - John at Sportsmens Direct (http://www.sportsmensdirect.com) told me that the MDNR has said they will start opening the large grassy area off the side of the Clinton River Cutoff public boating site (Crocker and Jefferson next door to his tackle shop) for overflow parking when regular parking is full.
That ramp fills up fast on weekends. John says the MDNR said they will not leave it open but open it when the regular parking it full. Not sure if that applies to weekdays, weekends only? I will eventually see if I can get more details from the MDNR person who supervises all their ramps on Lake St. Clair.
I have not confirmed this with the MDNR myself yet but hopefully it is accurate. It's one more small step towards more public access on Lake St. Clair.
Here's a link to some information about the City of Saint Clair Shores boat ramps though it has not been updated to show public access at 9 Mile Rd or the $100 permit for that ramp only for anyone - it does show hours of operations: http://scsparksrec.net/parksrec/boatramps.htm
I bought a pass from the SCS Civic Arena (Parks Department) and have launched at 9mile all but once. The one time I launched at 11 mile, there was no one in the booth when I got there, but there was someone when I left. The guy had a fit that I had launched there because it is for SCS residents only. Only the 9 mile ramp is for nonresidents. Having the sticker for 9 mile is real nice and has svaed me money already. I have only had once issue at 9mile and that is when a booth attendant told me it was an expired pass. I told him no, its a 2012, to wich he replied, yeah but its 2013. After a brief discussion he appologized and said he had lost track of time. Everytime I see him now, we have a good laugh about what year it is.
Jeez! He sounds a little like me! So very sorry about the confusion earlier on the other two ramps. I was told my multiple people who are normally on top of these things. I usually check with the source before posting and this is one more lesson why I should always do that no matter what.
Yeah Dan, that's where I bought my permit. It is non-ramp specific for residents of SCS. I can use it at any resident ramp.
It's progress anyway. I just wish I hadn't confused a bunch of people. Who knows? Maybe it will spur them to open up more spots?
I/we have used the 11 mile launch behind the Library several times this year. We just paid the $10 and we were never asked where we live.
I have used Blossom Heath in past years and I don't like it. I"m not real fond of St. Jeans either.
I'm not crazy about those two either. I think if you're a clean cut, normal looking person you don't have any problems launching at 11 Mile. On the other hand, if you're a little shifty like me, you'll have trouble every time you try something like this. So I'm glad at least 9 Mile is open to even the likes of me!
I'm not in love with St. Jean's, but I do launch there a lot during the late summer because it's a great location. Most people don't like how steep it is. I wouldn't mind that so much if they would just put normal size docks in. I think the docks are the worst part of that ramp.
Quote from: Revtro on June 06, 2012, 07:57:42 AM
I'm not in love with St. Jean's, but I do launch there a lot during the late summer because it's a great location. Most people don't like how steep it is. I wouldn't mind that so much if they would just put normal size docks in. I think the docks are the worst part of that ramp.
Me either but it is in a great location when fishing the south shore. Location is the best part.
BD. ;D
Safety is always my concern there. Do they have it consistently manned now by someone you can trust? I did think it was funny that someone said a couple of the ramps down there are sometimes 'manned' by entrepreneurial persons who collect money but don't actually work there! Who is in charge of St. Jeans now? Still the marina?
With all the differnt ramps, cities, etc. and if they are going to charge :D it sure would be easy to purchase one pass for St Clair so you could use DNR and all other ramps ;D Purchased the DNR park pass last trip, guess I will be stuck using the DNR this year for the Fall trip also. darn sure is confusing to out of State Fishermen trying to get all the fees working togather. Y'all come on down South Free Ramps, Power Loading is recommended and no 10 cent a can tax :D ;D all ya need is a one fishing license.
Quote from: djkimmel on June 06, 2012, 02:23:08 PM
Safety is always my concern there. Do they have it consistently manned now by someone you can trust? I did think it was funny that someone said a couple of the ramps down there are sometimes 'manned' by entrepreneurial persons who collect money but don't actually work there! Who is in charge of St. Jeans now? Still the marina?
St. Jeans is still manned by the marina but managed by the City of Detroit. I would like St. Jeans be part of William Millikin State Park which is the State Park on the river. It would be great and more people would use it with some improvements by the DNR.
BD. ;D
Rangerman, don't make fun of our bottle law. It is one of the best laws ever enacted here. All states should do it and include water bottles also. I am not even a greenie tree hugging wacko either. I just hate seeing bottles and can lying around.
Quote from: Team houston on August 10, 2012, 12:21:30 PM
Rangerman, don't make fun of our bottle law. It is one of the best laws ever enacted here. All states should do it and include water bottles also. I am not even a greenie tree hugging wacko either. I just hate seeing bottles and can lying around.
I agree with you on that one. I want to slap everyone I ever see toss something, even a cigarette butt, out their window. Idiots. Treat our land better. It deserves it!
I do like the idea of free ramps and powerloading the way our trailers, and quite a few modern trailers, are designed. We just have to work harder to bring some parts of our MDNR into the light of the modern age to get that one headed in the right direction. It seems sometimes like they are stuck in the Bronze age or something while the rest of the world has long since moved on.
Sorry about all those other ramps in Michigan. Not sure we can do much about that. Maybe too many lawyers?? Maybe too much water that too many people want to make their own?? Every new ramp the MDNR does get is a multi-year, very expensive court battle (which is why they might as well go the extra mile and build right the first time since they only get to build 1 or 2 new ones a year, if that.
Maybe we should start infiltrating lake associations?
I hate litterbugs!!! >:(
BD. ;D
Making my first trip to St. Clair in September. Staying around 13 mile rd. What's the closest ramp to that area that is open to the public? I have found a Metro Park marina launch area. Any suggestions? Thanks!
Hopefully, you saw my reply on the other thread where you asked these questions.
The Bridge reopens Tuesday morning.