Marinas

The following public marinas and boat launches are available to get your boat into Pennsylvania's waters of Lake Erie.

Elk Creek Access Area

Located at the mouth of Elk Creek in Girard Township. From Route 5 it is about one-half mile west of Route 18.

This is a launch area only. It has no piers or slips. This area provides only minimal facilities. Although the mouth is dredged periodically, the mouth is frequently very shallow and larger lake-bound boats will have a difficult time accessing the lake from this site. For additional information, see the description of this area at the Stream Descriptions page

Walnut Creek Access Area

This is the best access area on the west side of the City. It is operated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. It is located in Fairview Township off Manchester Road (Township Road 4007) in Fairview Township, about 2 miles east of State Route 98. Its loran coordinates are 28872.9/58390.7.

The marina is located a few hundred yards up Walnut Creek. Exiting the access area and through a short, well maintained (but narrow) channel puts you directly into Lake Erie. A red flasher marks the channel entrance.

The Walnut Creek Access Area has 72 slips. The facility has multiple launches, PFBC officials on site (during the boating season), paved parking areas, restrooms, night lighting, pay phones and soda machines. It is open 24 hours a day in season (but the marina is not staffed 24 hours like in the past). The access is well maintained and practically all fishing boats can be launched from this site. This site can be crowded during the peak of walleye season from July through Labor Day.

The access area can be reached at 814.833.2464. You also may call and inquire about the conditions on the lake.

Vista Boat Launch

The Vista boat launch is located at the third parking lot from the entrance of the Park on the Bay side. It is small and unimproved. It is suitable only for car top boats or very small trailered boats.

Niagara Boat Launch

The Niagara Boat Launch is located on the Bay just north of the Administration building. It has two ramps which can accommodate small to medium size boats.

Presque Isle Marina

Presque Isle Marina is located on the bay side of Presque Isle State Park. The Park is located at the foot of State Route 832 (Peninsula Drive) in Millcreek Township, west of the City of Erie. The marina is operated by the State. The marina channel exits to Presque Isle Bay, a short distance to the channel from the Bay to Lake Erie. The channel to the marina has range markers.

The Presque Isle Marina has 473 slips and can accommodate boats up to 42 feet in length. It has four public launch ramps. The marina is open from May 1 through October 31. Boat fuel (both gasoline and diesel), sewage pump out, ice, restrooms, showers, picnic facilities and snacks are available at the marina. Transient slips are available, some with electricity and water. The access is well maintained and practically all fishing boats can be launched from this site. This site can be crowded during the peak of the Park boating season.

The marina can be reached at 814.833.0176.

Presque Isle Canoe and Boat Rental and Lagoon Launches

The Presque Isle Canoe and Boat Rental is located on Presque Isle State Park just past the Perry Monument. It is located in Grave Yard Pond at the entrance to the lagoons. The marina is operated by the State. The marina channel exits into Misery Bay, which exits into Presque Isle Bay. There are two launches at this location and most smaller boats can be launched from the larger site, which has two launch lanes. This area is at the furthest point into the lagoons which motor boats are permitted. This is a popular launch area for boats that intend to fish in Misery Bay.

The marina can be reached at 814.838.3938.

Misery Bay Hand Launches

There are several small, unimproved boat launches along Misery Bay, north of Perry's Monument and the bridge into the lagoons. The old Lawrence Boat Launch is located here. These are suitable only for car top boats and very small trailered boats.

Bay Harbor Marina

Bay Harbor Marina has a public boat launch operated by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. It can accommodate good-sized boats. It is open 24 hours a day. The launch is located off the Bayfront Parkway immediately east of Shakespier's restaurant. There is sign along the Bayfront Highway for the launch. Parking is available between the Bayfront Parkway and the water.

Chestnut Street Launch

The Chestnut Street Ramp is located at the foot of Chestnut Street on the west side of the City. Chestnut Street really does not go all the way north to the Bay. This launch is accessed off the Bayfront Parkway, which continues where Interstate 79 ends. The access area is past several private marinas, and right beside the City's water treatment plant. It is a short distance west of Dobbin's Landing (i.e., the Public Dock, located at the foot of State Street in the center of the City of Erie). The Chestnut Street facility is operated by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority.

This facility was recently renovated. It has two launches and a paved lot. It has no other facilities. It is on the city side of the Bay, almost directly across the Bay from the channel out of the Presque Isle Marina.

In 2000 this ramp has been in disrepair and the Port Authority has not put in the ramps. Although small boats can still hand-launch here, larger boats will have difficulty both because of the absence of the ramps, and because the low water levels in the Bay cause the end of the concrete underwater ramp to end too soon and you could find your trailer stuck off the end of the concrete.

Wolverine Park Marina

Wolverine Park Marina is a 100% transient (overnight) facility located south of Dobbins Landing on the west side of State Street, close to Smith's Bait Stand. It has 45 slips available, with floating docks, electric and water. Showers, rest rooms and laundry are available for guests. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Rates are about $1.30 per foot (discounts are available), and boats up to 100' can be accomodated.

The address is 34 State Street, and the phone is 814.874.0698.

For more information, click HERE.

Lampe Marina

Lampe is the best, largest and most-popular facility in the City. It is operated by the Erie-Western Pennsylvania Port Authority. It is located behind a breakwall in Lake Erie. Exiting the small channel puts you directly in the lake, just east and south of the entrance to the channel to Presque Isle Bay.

Lampe is located off the Port Access Road. This road can be accessed only off the Bayfront Parkway, which continues where Interstate 79 ends. Travel on the Bayfront Parkway east of the center of the City (Dobbin's Landing on State Street is the center of town). The Port Access Road is about a mile east, just beyond the City sewer treatment plant.

Lampe has 252 slips for boats 16' to 30'. The facility has multiple launches, boat fuel, paved and unpaved parking areas, restrooms, night lighting, pay phones and soda machines. It is open 24 hours a day in season. The access is well maintained and practically all fishing boats can be launched from this site. This site can be crowded during the peak of walleye season from July through Labor Day.

The marina can be reached at 814.455.7557 Ext. 228.

East Avenue Boat Launch

The East Avenue boat launch is a medium-sized facility located at the foot of East Avenue on Erie's east side. To access the launch site, go to the foot of East Avenue. (If you are going east on the Bayfront Highway, continue east past the turn to Lampe to the end of the road to East Avenue and turn left or north on East Avenue). At the end of East Avenue turn right or east at the gate to the Erie Cork Corporation and follow the paved road to the site.

This launch is in the lake behind an man-made breakwall. It has four launches and can accommodate up to medium-large boats. It has a sizeable paved parking lot. This launch, along with Lampe, are the two best launchs and both put you right into Lake Erie, not the Bay.

Lawrence Park Launch

The Lawrence Park ramp is a small ramp located off Lakeside Drive in Lawrence Park. It is in the lake. It is not suitable for larger boats. Paved parking is available.

Shade's Beach Park Launch

This is a small launch located on Eight Mile Creek. It is located off US Route 5 near Bartlett Road in Harborcreek Township. It is in the lake. It is not suitable for larger boats.

North East Marina

This is the best access area on the east side of Erie County. It is owned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and since 1999 it has been operated by Tim and Pam Truitt of North East Marine Services, Inc. It is located off US Route 5 about 2.5 miles east of Route 89 and about 1.8 miles west of the New York State line. Its loran coordinates are 28890.4/58666.6.

The marina is located behind a breakwall on Lake Erie.

The North East Marina has 220 slips. 88 slips have both water and electric. Approximately 30 transient slips are available without water or electricity for $10 per night and 5 transient slips are available with water and electricity for $20 per night. Transient boats must be under 33 feet in length. The facility has four launch lanes, gasoline, showers for seasonal renters, restrooms, a tackle shop including live bait, fishing licenses, boating and trailer accessories, and inside and outside winter boat storage. This is an official fish weigh station and the Pa.F&BC maintains a patrol boat at the marina. It is open from April 15 to October 31. It is open 24 hours a day in season. The marina has parking for 150 cars and trailers.

The access area can be reached at 814.725.8244. Its web address is: http://www.northeastmarina.com and its email address is: nems2@earthlink.net.