Looking for where you can bring your kayak | canoe | paddleboard to park and launch safely onto Lake St. Clair and the Channels?

A Detroit Couple Discovers a Close By Unique Lake Retreat

     Simi and Johnny, residents of downtown Detroit, recently chose our Fair Haven vacation rental for a long weekend summer getaway. Notably, when Simi booked the stay, she mentioned they would be bringing a canoe—something no guest had ever done before in our 15 years of hosting.

     Seeking a short escape from city life, Simi and Johnny traveled just 35 miles to Fair Haven hoping for a refreshing long weekend amid peaceful surroundings.

Exploring the Lake

     Johnny, a former bass fishing professional originally from Missouri, was eager for Simi—a doctor in Detroit—to experience being on the water and try fishing for the first time.

Kayak / Canoe Routes

     To support their adventure, I prepared a detailed map of the northern end of Lake St. Clair. While doing this, I realized just how many safe, tranquil, and scenic spots are available in the area for paddling and exploring - including many brand new public kayak launches that have been developed around the lake the last couple of years by our local communities!

     Their visit was a great success, as they found bays for swimming, floating, and Simi catching her first fish! They returned a few weeks later for another long weekend… I think they are now hooked!

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     If you find yourself at Lake St. Clair’s central Harrison Twp. or northern end of New Baltimore, Fair Haven, Clay Township, Algonac, or Harsens Island—whether staying at a vacation home rental or just visiting by car—I have several kayaking locations to recommend around ramps.

In the following sections, I will outline the top picks for those eager to explore the waterways of Lake St. Clair.

Kayak Maps & Ramps - SEE Detailed AERIAL MAPS of the Lake's (by city) many other services here!

CENTRAL LAKE ST. CLAIR

There are several options. If you'd prefer to use an actual "kayak" launch like the one in the Lake St. Clair Metropark image below, these are also available at Webber Paddle Park on the Salt River Chesterfield Twp. and the Clinton River Cut Off DNR Ramp Harrison Twp. The remaining Central Lake ramps, including the most western ramp at Lake St. Clair Metropark are either dirt or asphalt.

The three top Central Lake spots to Kayak Central Lake St. Clair away from heavy boat traffic?  Lake St. Clair Metropark, Weber Paddle Park, then the Clinton River.

•Lake St. Clair Metropark - A no wake zone is enforced inside the complete park. Paddle alongside beautiful homes, canal systems, and open marshland.

This private Huron - Metro Park charges a parking fee to enter.  It is located at the end of 16 Mile / Metropolitan Parkway in Harrison Township.  There is also transient boat dockage too!

•Webber Paddle Park on the Salt River-Chesterfield Twp. on Jefferson Avenue.

•Clinton River - Launch at the public Harley Ensign DNR asphalt ramp. The Clinton River is a no wake zone, however weekends has a lot of boat traffic. Lots of houses to check out along the route!

The Harley Ensign is at the end of the Clinton River, near the mouth at Lake St. Clair on South River Road, Harrison Township.

•Clinton River Cut Off DNR - Designated kayak launch and standard ramp is located on Jefferson Avenue in Harrison Twp.  This small channel exits right out to the open waters of Lake St. Clair.  Not the best situation with waves & boat traffic unless early calm mornings.

Beware! The Clinton River Cut Off above and Selfridge ramp below onto open waters of Lake St. Clair can be treacherous for a kayak. Winds can also be a negative factor on the open water - probably not the best choice if you are new to this sport.

And SOUTHERN Lake St. Clair on L'Anse Creuse Bay is the city owned 9 Mile Chapaton Launch Ramp... located corner of 9 Mile & Jefferson Avenue.

Next up! KAYAK Launch Ramps NORTHERN LAKE ST. CLAIR

New Baltimore has a small "beach front" on the south side of the public docks where you may launch your kayak & canoe.

If you are planning a visit or perhaps better yet, a stay in one of MANY local vacation rentals in the Northern end of Lake St. Clair, kayak & canoe options are abundant!

Kayak Maps & Ramps - SEE Detailed AERIAL MAPS (by city) of the Lake's many other services here!

The bay below is located in Fair Haven - Bouvier Bay. There is an asphalt DNR launch ramp (see icon in photo below). Within Bouvier Bay is a nice local swim spot, Munchies Bay where you can hop off your kayak in a couple feet of water and cool off. As you'll see from the map on page 110, this is a great spot to launch... however weekend afternoons, the central part of this bay could get very busy with boat traffic, so you'll want to kayak the shoreline.

 Ira Township Waterworks Park (within Fair Haven) was brand new in 2025.  Located on the Swan Creek, this launch is just off Lake St. Clair, across from the popular Island Grill Clubhouse. To get to this new facility, you'll turn right by the Lighthouse Tavern and drive this peninsula road where you'll find parking, small park, and portable bathroom.

Ira Township (Fair Haven) Waterworks Park new launch 2025

Next recommended is the Deckers DNR. This aerial view is facing the northern Bouvier Bay surrounded by Fair Haven and Clay Twp.'s Anchor Bay Drive at the right side of the photo, where several more vacation rentals are located. This ramp also allows you to paddle quickly to the North Channel, where this specific area is a NO WAKE ZONE. Even though boats are traveling fairly slow in this stretch, "weekends" can be very busy which would make it a bit difficult to cross. However, following the shoreline you can access a beautiful canal system neighborhood just to the east.

Next up - Algonac!

As you head to Algonac, the DNR North Channel ramp across from a Kroger grocery is asphalt and is close to some canal systems to the east. The North Channel sees a lot of boat traffic during weekends and afternoons and may not be suitable for the novice paddler except early mornings.

The St. Clair Boat Harbor also rents kayaks & canoes - they are located on the Pine River, just off the St. Clair River.

A brand new Kayak park & beach is underway located just down the street from the Algonac DNR Launch Ramp.   Early last June 2025, Phase 1 of this new North Channel County Park, just outside of downtown Algonac began development.     The first phase focus is essential infrastructure - parking lot, trailhead, and pavilion. Funding for this portion which also includes park benches and picnic tables is supported by a $270,000 MI Natural Resources Trust Fund grant along with a $280,000 local match.

Amenities we can look forward to using at this new North Channel County 10-acre park:
Swimming Beach, Kayak Launch, Shoreline Fishing
Walking Trails,
Pavilions & Playground
It will also be one of the designated locations along the new St. Clair - Macomb Birding Trail created in 2021.
The park is located at 2431 Pointe Tremble, Algonac.

Next up!  HARSENS ISLAND Kayak Launches

Taking the ferry to Harsens Island costs $16 roundtrip as of 2026, and will be extra if pulling a trailer. If you turn left off the ferry you'll end up on South Channel Drive... and if you turn right, you'll end up on Middle Channel Drive.

The area you'll find the most kayaking pleasure will be in Little Muscamoot Bay area. This 1.75+ mile long bay is surrounded by marshland and waters under 4'. Closer to shore you can be in 2' of water to toss a light anchor and hang out for awhile. Whether you launch at the Middle Channel or South Channel, you'll have about a half mile paddle to reach the bay area and begin exploring.

RAMP OPTIONS on HARSENS ISLAND
Most small boats & PWCs use the Snooks Access DNR Ramp which is located on the Middle Channel, across from Brown's Bar.  On weekends, the Middle Channel "Snooks" launch ramp gets fairly busy with waverunners launching so beware of boats on plane in the Snooks Hwy.

But as an alternative, there is access to Little Muscamoot on the South Channel, but with lower water levels take care!

The first SOUTH CHANNEL site you'll come to via car from the ferry you'll see a parking sign. This spot is best for fishing, not launching - except for Kayak. Within a 1/8 mile or so you'll find a second access site with parking. This site will allow you to launch a small boat and park (limited parking).

Both the South Channel launches provide access to the Little Muscamoot Bay via a small cut. Or as you see bottom left, you don't have to go very far to fish!

No Harsens Island launch sites have docks by the way. If you need a larger launch, you can use the North Channel DNR launch in Algonac.