An update on efforts to increase access points to the Bay

[Fishinfool]

The lack of Bay access points is a sore subject for many paddlers, and would-be users of our great national resource. Maryland, compared to other states, is stuck in the stone age on access points, and hamstrung somewhat by the old common law from the pre-colonial era. For example, the article states that only 2% of the Bay's 3,000 mile coastline is accessible to the general public, the other 98% is in private hands, and paddlers risk arrest and prosecution for trespassing.

The bottom line is that there's nothing more frustrating for a paddler to look at charts of area waters and find out that the only access points are many miles away from those prime oyster beds or quiet coves and creeks. This is just not right.

This article linked below is a good summary of the outlook for improving the amount of public access points on the Bay and its tributaries. It is from the Bay Journal which can be subscribed to in print form for free on the website. It is a non-profit organization with funding from the E.P.A. and other donors. Here is the link:

http://www.bayjournal.com/article/ac...erely_touch_it

Tired of being frustrated? Write your local, state, and federal representatives on this issue.

[mango]

good read, it would be great having more camping and launch opportunities around the bay.

[frettr00]

Yeah I tend to plan my trips around access points instead of good fishing spots. It sucks.

[frettr00]

good read, it would be great having more camping and launch opportunities around the bay.

When I first got my kayak in 2011, one of the things I wanted to do was go out fishing for a weekend then find an island to camp on overnight. I soon realized areas like that don't exist in mid-bay, maybe far South around Tangier.

[kevinfry]

Here's a novel idea.....

How about if all Gov't land with beach frontage encouraged/facilitated kayak and canoe launching? In Calvert county alone that would add
1) flagg ponds
2) American Chesnut land trust
3) Calvert cliffs SP
4) Camp Conoy, a highly gov. subsidized ymca camp
5)cove point CG station
6) maybe drum point

add private marinas with Gov. maintained or subsidized jetties (like Port Republic)....so irritating these are all managed in such a yak unfriendly manner or are off limits to us.

St Mary's has so many peices of gov controled beach I can't even name them all, but there are radar domes on sandy beached, farmland and hunting reserve, historic sites (like the historic church near webster field that has a dirt boat launch), marshland, ect.... It drives me crazy that I can't drop the yak in....now in view of the great "1987 Bay Agreement set a very laudable public access goal of promoting "increased opportunities for public appreciation and enjoyment of the Bay and its tributaries."" It is even more irritating.

[mango]

Think of the bay and I think of that Chevy Chase movie where he shows up with a car load of people and the Moose says "Sorry folks, parks closed". Quick note here, from what I can remember, my dad told me stories that as a kid, his family and others in the neighborhood would pack up and head down to the bay to cool off on hot summer days. The BAY was the destination point. Apparently there were gambling houses and beach heads in small communities around the bay which brought in Washingtonians and folks from Virginia. My dad says their was considerably more direct access to the bay for all to enjoy. Now these small communities which catered to the public back in the day are now all private and closed to the general public. Opening of the bay bridge, most pass by the bay, the destination is OC or other ocean beaches. Why? Because they cater to the public for the tourism dollars.

I agree with Kevinfry in opening government controlled areas to the public for launching, picnic tables and whatever. I can't tell you how many Chesapeake Bay Watershed signs I have seen out near the Virginia mountains. Annapolis needs to remember that everyone in several states, folks that are nowhere near the bay play a very important part in the continued efforts to clean up and keep the bay clean. Far away folks must abide by the laws which require sediment and retainage ponds during construction projects would be just one example (an enormous expense). Our office building had a huge sand filtered storm water run off tank (huge) and expensive to build. These added cost to projects so far removed from the bay's shore are essential for the continued efforts in keeping the bay clean. So, if the bay is truely for everyone and it will take everyone's effort to keep it clean, then their should be better access for all to enjoy other than bottlenecking crowds into SPSP.

I think I have read on this site many times where launching from a county public site requires you to go to another location away from the launch to obtain a launch permit. Uncool, keeps me from just dropping in after work to fish unless I have planned in advance.What fun is planning in advance? I would opt to even purchase a yearly state launch permit which would allow you to launch your yak at any county site. Purchase once and good to go for the year in all counties. Also, many of the launch sites are car top only, I have 5 yaks and a trailer because I love for my family to tag along. We are not a welcomed site in most places, limited to where we can go as a family.

Sorry for the rant, Columbus Day, had to take a day off at work to watch the kids because we don't observe the same as the government does. Guess this is a family day. lol.

[MDFishin]

All bridges no matter how small are public property (all bridges on public roads) Most have a minimum of a 10-15ft easement one either side of the crossing. I often park and launch within that easement. HOWEVER I do this on rivers on the eastern shore in remote areas where houses are not an issue, some homeowners will gripe (not always the best idea to piss someone off who will be "watching" your car while fishing). I can think of only a few spots on the bay where I do this.

EDIT: I throw my kayak in the water anywhere the water meets land. Sometimes you gotta put your kayak in the water, park, and walk back to it. Be flexible and think outta the box.

[Yak Fish]

Hell...I end up just paddling further. APG makes access a little kayak unfriendly in the north.

[Fishinfool]

Very good suggestions on the government owned lands, and bridge easements, Kevin Fry and MD Fishin. Maybe some like minded members of Md. Kayak Fishing would consider approaching a larger and politically connected non-profit like the Chesapeake Bay Foundation with the idea of piggy backing on their lobbying efforts in Annapolis.

One of the stated goals of the C.B.F., D.N.R. and M.D.E. is to increase the number of recreational users, and thereby increase the number of eyes on the Bay to report toxic discharges, septic run-offs, large industrial polluters, and so forth. Increasing the number of access points from which to launch from fits neatly into all of this. Also, the more of us using the Bay, the more stakeholders there are with a genuine interest to continue the Bay clean-up.

Paddle sports are one of the fastest growing forms of recreation in the entire country right now. The C.B.F., the state agencies, and even the boat manufacturers like Hobie all have a big stake in getting and keeping the Bay clean. More access points could only help.

Md. Kayak Fishers partnered up w/ C.B.F., and other non-profits could a force to be reckoned with in Annapolis. Just a thought for the seasoned guys here and the originators of this great site.

[Fishinfool]

Think of the bay and I think of that Chevy Chase movie where he shows up with a car load of people and the Moose says "Sorry folks, parks closed". Quick note here, from what I can remember, my dad told me stories that as a kid, his family and others in the neighborhood would pack up and head down to the bay to cool off on hot summer days. The BAY was the destination point. Apparently there were gambling houses and beach heads in small communities around the bay which brought in Washingtonians and folks from Virginia. My dad says their was considerably more direct access to the bay for all to enjoy. Now these small communities which catered to the public back in the day are now all private and closed to the general public. Opening of the bay bridge, most pass by the bay, the destination is OC or other ocean beaches. Why? Because they cater to the public for the tourism dollars.

I agree with Kevinfry in opening government controlled areas to the public for launching, picnic tables and whatever. I can't tell you how many Chesapeake Bay Watershed signs I have seen out near the Virginia mountains. Annapolis needs to remember that everyone in several states, folks that are nowhere near the bay play a very important part in the continued efforts to clean up and keep the bay clean. Far away folks must abide by the laws which require sediment and retainage ponds during construction projects would be just one example (an enormous expense). Our office building had a huge sand filtered storm water run off tank (huge) and expensive to build. These added cost to projects so far removed from the bay's shore are essential for the continued efforts in keeping the bay clean. So, if the bay is truely for everyone and it will take everyone's effort to keep it clean, then their should be better access for all to enjoy other than bottlenecking crowds into SPSP.

I think I have read on this site many times where launching from a county public site requires you to go to another location away from the launch to obtain a launch permit. Uncool, keeps me from just dropping in after work to fish unless I have planned in advance.What fun is planning in advance? I would opt to even purchase a yearly state launch permit which would allow you to launch your yak at any county site. Purchase once and good to go for the year in all counties. Also, many of the launch sites are car top only, I have 5 yaks and a trailer because I love for my family to tag along. We are not a welcomed site in most places, limited to where we can go as a family.

Sorry for the rant, Columbus Day, had to take a day off at work to watch the kids because we don't observe the same as the government does. Guess this is a family day. lol.

I like everything you said. I was very fortunate to grow up near the water in Severna Park, and fishing, crabbing, water skiing were part of my summers almost every day. The Bay and all it's rivers is just an incredible resource. I am landlocked now, and have to settle for a once a week put in at Jonas or at my sisters community beach in Arnold. The Anne Arundel Co. govt. tolerates this "got mine", to hell w/ the rest of you attitude. If people like us get organized and involved, the politicians will listen.

The excuse is always money for parking lots, ramps, trash collection, porta potties, etc. etc., but the idea of using any government owned land, and private marinas that have benefited from public money for rip rap, jetties, bulkheads, etc. is great. Opening up these areas would help a lot.

[MDFishin]

I can do nothing but grin and nod my head while reading FishinFool's post. He is completely right, MFK needs to unite in the effort to bring more launches to MD. not only will more launches become available, but more attention will be brought to the bay which is always a good thing, ESPECIALLY in an election year. No matter who you support if you're a serious kayak fisher you should check out your candidates environmental policy.

[Fishinfool]

All bridges no matter how small are public property (all bridges on public roads) Most have a minimum of a 10-15ft easement one either side of the crossing. I often park and launch within that easement. HOWEVER I do this on rivers on the eastern shore in remote areas where houses are not an issue, some homeowners will gripe (not always the best idea to piss someone off who will be "watching" your car while fishing). I can think of only a few spots on the bay where I do this.

EDIT: I throw my kayak in the water anywhere the water meets land. Sometimes you gotta put your kayak in the water, park, and walk back to it. Be flexible and think outta the box.

Launching in and around Bridge easements is a helluva an idea. I wonder if the South River bridges are feasible for that; Solomons Island Rd. (Rt. 2), and Riva Rd. areas. Safely parking the car is always the rub. Mike's Crab House has a lot of parking, but private businesses are probably concerned about liability issues with launching.

In addition to the Eastern Shore, Southern Maryland has some bridges in good fishing territory as well. The Rt. 4 bridge connecting Solomons Island w/ St. Mary's Co. is prime fishing territory, near the mouth of the Patuxent. There's also Benedict (R. 236? - too lazy to look at a map) up river around Shorter's Place Restaurant. Then there's the 301 Harry W. Nice Bridge, and the Pope's Creek area, another prime fishing and crabbing spot.

Maybe I'll try out some bridges areas and post them for feasibility, etc. and others can do the same. Some of those bridge easements are on steep or rocky hills, which could make it tough. Watch out for those trolls too, living under the bridges, LOL.