Northwest Reel Life April 2023 Volume 2 Issue 10 - Flipbook - Page 19
daily limit. Because Baker Lake is
actively monitored for regulation
compliance, make sure to record
your catch before you redeploy
the gear. The Baker Lake catch
code is 825. Are you jonesing for
a grilled sockeye fillet or a bowl of
fresh sockeye poke yet? If so, read
on, if not there’s always a Safeway
seafood counter nearby (it’s
probably cheaper).
There are 5 launch ramps on
Baker Lake. They are as follows.
PSE BAKER LAKE (KULSHAN)
The boat ramp has a moderate
grade. Concrete blocks have been
placed along the side of the ramp
for protection from erosion. No
designated disabled parking.
The parking lot slopes slightly.
Nearby, Kulshan Campground
offers campsites, a RV dump
station, and both restrooms and
porta potties. Overnight parking
is discouraged within the boat
ramp parking area but is available
just down the hill from the ramp.
Kulshan is typically my go to
launch ramp.
HORSESHOE COVE
The boat ramp has a gentle grade.
Launching and load occur on
both sides of the gravel and sand
bar. The surface is uneven from
wave erosion and vehicle use.
No designated disabled parking.
Horseshoe Cove Campground
also offers campsites, drinking
water, picnic area, group camp
area, and vault toilets. Overnight
parking is available. 4-wheel drive
is advisable.
PANORAMA POINT
The boat ramp has a gentle to
moderate grade, lots of parking
and a vault toilet. The Panorama
Point Campground is separate
from the launch.
Depending on lake level, the
asphalt ramp approach stops
short of the shoreline. Additionally,
a drop off has been created by
wave action and the gravel is
becoming rutted from parking
lot run-off. With the uncertain
ramp conditions, 4-wheel drive is
advisable.
SWIFT CREEK
The Swift Creek launch is paved
or concrete and is usable at all
lake levels. There is a tall bulkhead
wall on one side with a short log
boom on the other side of the
ramp. There is also a small marina
adjacent to the ramp. The marina
has limited non-reservable short
term tie up but no services or fuel.
Swift Creek Campground offers
campsites, drinking water, picnic
shelters, a group camp area, and
vault toilets. Overnight parking is
available. I advise that you have
a capable mate at this ramp. If
solo, there are no provision to tie
up your boat right at the ramp.
Solo, you’ll have to deal with your
boat after launching and you’ll
be holding up traffic. Unless
you’re offering free coffee and
doughnuts, generally not a good
thing at 2:30 in the morning when
there is a long line of headlights
glaring at you... Having somebody
run the boat while you go park is a
solid community-based plan.
SHANNON CREEK CAMPGROUND
The boat ramp has a gentle
to moderate grade. Ruts are
developing around the ramp due
to the runoff from the parking
lot drainage. Waves have been
creating some erosion along
the shoreline. No designated
disabled parking. Shannon
Creek Campground also offers
campsites, drinking water, picnic
sites and a vault toilet. This varies
year to year, but they may be
limiting launch access to campers
registered at Shannon Creek
Campground. 4-wheel drive is
advisable, and this is the best
launch for hand launch boats
and inflatables. With just a short
run you’re in Grand Central Sockstation.
Maybe a few words regarding the
logistics and fishing Baker Lake.
Once you turn onto Baker Lake
Road there will be no services,
fuel, food, or camping supplies
available. Make sure your pretrip planning includes extra fuel,
ice, propane or whatever you’ll
need for your trip. Early morning,
evening and anytime you’re in the
shade there will be mosquitos.
Not a few pesky mosquitos but
a large squadron of blood thirsty
flying vampires, I think they even
have radar, night vision, and little
stick figures drawn on their blood
engorged bodies. AUG 2023 | 19