Niagara river marina / boat slip

[fish]

I am lookiing to venture to the Niagra river for the derby this spring. Does anyone have good reference for a marina that i can keep my boat at.

[Don Supon]

If you wish to be in the river, Fort Niagara has public ramps for trailered boats. The south ramp (upstream one) is best and can accomodate large boats. Cost is about $10.

Upstream from there is Petroy Marina, located in Youngstown. There you can rent dockage. Josh Stack @716-807-9406 can provide more information for you.

That's all there is in that area on the US side. Many dock in Wilson and Olcott and make a run to the river from there (12-18 miles).

Hope this helps.

[Mickey Finn]

So the $10 is a launch fee or park fee or what? Is the launch open 24 hours a day or do they have hours when it's open?

[Don Supon]

The $10 is launch fee. The gates to the park are not manned at this time of year, but expect someone to collect launch fees @ 5 AM. during the Derby. Border Patrol and Park Police monitor the park, and park hours are dawn to dusk. You will not be able to leave your trailer / vehicle there overnight without getting a ticket.

Youngstown has a village ramp next to Petroy's. Meant for small boats. No parking nearby for your trailer, but some vehicle spots on first-come basis. Trailer parking located at village lot 1/2 mile away. I've seen vehicles and trailers parked at Petroys, but suspect they belong to Petroy customers. Youngstown is a small community, with all available waterfront developed. Food and lodging is available nearby. No water access upstream of Petroy's, developed to river mouth (3/4 mile).

Some LOC fishermen stay at 4 Mile Creek State Campgrounds, but it has no launch or docks. They trailer back and forth to Fort Niagara or Wilson daily. Wilson has a NYS Park (Tuscaroura) with a launch into 12 mile creek. State launch fees apply. A good ramp for big/small boats, but dawn to dusk operation also. Food and lodging in Wilson, but limited and 2 mile drive.

Ollcott has a town launch (fee) and is 18 miles from the river. Excellent for large boats. Not familar with food/accomodations.

All three areas have excellent fishing. Offshore fishing starts in Canadian waters and progresses east towards Ollcott and beyond as the season advances.

Give Josh a call for details if you want to be close to the Niagara.

[Mickey Finn]

OK, we are going to be there in the middle of May after the LOC and Wilson Inv. Should I expect someone to be there to collect the fee? I don't mind paying it. I just want to know if I need to be looking for someone or if I can just drive in and launch. What is there at 4 Mile Creek State Campground for lodging? Is it just camping?

[Don Supon]

If the booth is not manned, it's OK to just launch. Entrance to the launch area passes a booth- if unmanned, drive past, go down hill and turn left for the better launch. Not as complicated as it sounds.

4 Mile is a campground. Bring your own accomodations. Hook-ups available for RVs and motor homes.

Lakeview Motel, located on Lake Road between 4 Mile and Wilson, has accomodations for rent. Many fishermen use it. Can accomodate your trailered boat. 716-791-8668 for details.

Ontario House, in Youngstown, 716-219-4073, has rooms for rent that many LOC fishermen use. Just outside of Fort Niagara, and across street from entrance to Petroy Marina. Caveat: no parking for a trailered boat on property. There is a village lot not too far away that you could use for free, but it is on a village street and unsupervised.

Any other way I can help? Call me at home 716-282-5278- Don Supon in Niagara Falls, NY.

[lyteline]

Both launches accept the EMPIRE PASS.............Zeke & Cyn(Strike 3)