Best place to launch out of Magothy? or Severn...

[YakMonkey]

I only have kayaked on a lake. I want to fish out of the bay but I want to take it easy and start from the river.

I only see 2 public launches on Magothy, Spriggs Farm Park, and Beachwood park. I live 15 minutes away from Beachwood park. The park has a very steep hill down to the launch and I don't think I can haul 80lb kayak back up to the parking lot LOL..

Spriggs farm is 30 minutes away but I think I would rather go to Jonas green since it's about the same distance. Is there any other place that I can launch? (I don't mind paying a small fee)

[rugbyfish]

The other two launches on the Severn are the Tucker Street ramp in Weems Creek (free) and Smith’s Marina, which charges $10 to launch.

[YakMonkey]

The other two launches on the Severn are the Tucker Street ramp in Weems Creek (free) and Smith’s Marina, which charges $10 to launch.

Thank you. When I looked up tucker street ramp, it was a community ramp with permit, and no parking spot. Maybe I am looking at different ramp?

[rugbyfish]

There’s no permit requirement, and there is street parking available.

[Mark]

YakMonkey,

If you're 15 minutes from Beachwood, you're also close to Downs Park.

You might want to consider the Locust Cove Launch there. It's on the west side of the park. It drops you into an area largely protected from NW winds with access Wharf Creek, Main Creek, Back Creek and Bodkin Creek. You can also reach the Patapsco and the Bay itself within 2 miles of the the launch when conditions permit.

The launch is approximately where I've placed a red "X" on the map:

Screenshot 2020-10-12 051427.jpg

There is no hill like Beachwood but there is perhaps a 75 yard paved path to the water. Parking is ample. There is also a $6 entry fee into the park. Annual passes are available.

No trailers are allowed in the park. Cartop only.

[J.A. Veil]

There’s no permit requirement, and there is street parking available.

No permit is required for parking a vehicle on Tucker St. However, a permit is required to park a trailer. Those permits are available only to City of Annapolis residents. Park only in legal spaces and keep the noise level down (especially for early morning launches) to avoid irritating the neighbors.

There are several other public Severn launches not previously mentioned.

1) Truxtun Park is a city recreational facility. It puts you into the upper end of Spa Creek (which becomes Annapolis Harbor).
2) Ellen Moyer Water Park (this small launch area goes by several names). It is off of Edgewood Rd and it puts you into Back Creek. On Google Maps, the name Capital SUP is shown at the spot of the launch.
3) Some of the streets in downtown Annapolis or Eastport dead end at the water. Parking is always difficult, but if you find it, you may be able to launch there.


You can also launch at Sandy Point State Park. Using the boat ramps, you can get out to the bay if you choose, or stay in the large tidal pond that is adjacent to the ramps.

[YakMonkey]

Thank you! That should be plenty of water to explorer.

I will check on tucker st and downs park before I hit the big river.

[PigPen]

I'd give Cars wharf a try, easy launch with ok parking. Usually, the water is very protected from wind with lots of perching near the docs.

[dsaavedra]

One Severn launch that hasn't been mentioned yet is the Annapolis Maritime Museum. They have a small soft launch on their property and you can park in their lot (very limited space) or on the street. This launch puts your more-or-less on the mouth of the river.

[mudskipper]

I’d be willing to pay handsomely or trade skills to someone who lived in Sherwood Forest, for the ability to use their small craft launch site on Brewer Pond.

I don’t mind launching from Smiths in the summer, and paddling to the pond, but in the winter, I’m very much spooked by the prospect of a half mile open water paddle across Round Bay with water in the low 40’s. Yeah, I know, I could hug the shoreline the entire way and almost never be in a spot where I couldn’t stand up - and that’s what I’ve done in years past.

But I’d still like to be able to launch right where I plan on fishing.