A lot of Money for a Little Lake

The DEC gives money for new boat launch.

Story and photos by Rian Hunt

Fishing on Lake Champlain is going to get a lot easier. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is funding a new boat launch coming to downtown Plattsburgh.

"This launch will make the bass tournaments run smoother."

Kevin Farrington, Plattsburgh's city engineer, says that all the new recreation on the waterfront, including the boat launch, is thanks to the previous mayor, Dan Stewart. Stewart cleaned up the railroad tracks off Dock Street in downtown Plattsburgh, and had a parking lot built for the new park. He also supported plans for the new boat launch and hotel, which should be up and running by 2008.

The DEC is funding $700,000 for this new edition to Lake Champlain's waterfront. This is the second boat launch in Plattsburgh. The first is Wilcox Dock.

"This launch will make the bass tournaments run smoother than recent years," said Rick Perry, Plattsburgh's building inspector.

In recent years, parking for the bass tournament has been an issue, and this new boat launch provides an easily accessible parking lot for the anglers.

"The parking lot provides a slanted curb so fishermen can easily back their trailers up onto the grass with plenty of room," Farrington said. "This parking lot was made to accommodate the boat launch and boat trailers." He also said that this boat launch originally was going to be four lanes, but now has downsized to three. "It's not the number of lanes, it's the amount of dock space," he said.

According to Denise Sheehan, Commissioner of the DEC, the design will have a three-lane launch ramp, boarding docks and staging areas. The new launch will help attract more tourists, make it easier for anglers and boaters and bring more revenue to the North Country region.

Farrington and Perry do admit there are some minor setbacks to the boat launch.

"The dredging involved is a setback," Farrington said. "The water at Wilcox Dock is much deeper than this water, but I think the outcome in the end will be worth every little setback." Farrington holds his head up high with confidence, and believes the boat launch is a significant bonus to the city.

Local angler Nathan Filon agrees with Farrington and Perry. "The boat launch will be awesome," Filon said. "I fish all summer long and this boat launch will make my fishing season more enjoyable, if it's right downtown."

Will the new boat launch make fishing easier for you?

The featured launches are owned by either the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) or the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP). All of these launches have hard-surfaced ramps suitable for trailers.

View map of New York State boat launches

Ten Launches in the Lake Champlain region five fisheries:

•  The Great Chazy River
•  Point Au Roche
•  Point Au Roche State Park
•  Peru Dock
•  Port Douglas
•  Willsboro Bay
•  Westport
•  Port Henry
•  Ticonderoga
•  South Bay

2007 Bass Tournament Schedule

• JUNE 23: FLW Bass Fishing League
• JUNE 27 to 30: BASS team, World Championship Qualifier
• JULY 8: BASS Weekend Series
• JULY 12 to 14: BASS Elite Series
• SEPT. 5 to 8: FLW Series
• SEPT. 22 to 23: FLW BFL Super Tournament