Hole in the Fence Boat Launch

There are zero actual lanes here — it's a carry-in or drag-in access point at best. If you're thinking about backing a trailer down, don't. This is for canoes, kayaks, and small johnboats you can muscle to the water by hand.

Only four trailer spots, with overflow across the road to the south. During the fall salmon run, those spots disappear early morning. If you're arriving after 7 AM on a weekend in September or October, you're probably out of luck.

This stretch of the Manistee gets absolutely hammered during the fall salmon run — late September through October. Shoulder-to-shoulder anglers on the banks, and the tiny parking area means you're competing with campers and wade fishermen alike. Midweek mornings are your best bet for some breathing room.

The name says it all — this is a rustic, no-frills river access tucked alongside Manistee River RV Resort. It's fine for dropping a kayak or wading in to fish, but if you need a proper hard-surface ramp for a trailered boat, head to Tippy Dam or the launches closer to Manistee Lake. Those are better equipped in every way.