Lincoln Beach Boat Launching

[MRJ]

Can anyone give me an update on boat launching conditions Lincoln Beach? I have a fairly shallow draft 16'5" aluminum with a 90 HP Merc and was hoping to fish for kitties at the Island sometime soon. Have been out of state part of May, the whole month of June and part of July and have just not been around until now. Thanks!
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[albinotrout]

Between 2.5 to 3 feet in the channel, I wasn't getting a very good reading on my FF. But I launched at night last time. BLk may have an updated level. I didn't have much problem launching or moving around.
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[Boatloadakids]

My last launch was last Tues. and the water depth was at 2 feet at it lowest point. There were power boat types launching and they seemed to get in and out okay.

Raise your prop, stay in the center of the channel and go slow and you should be okay. Be careful around the island, even more so than usual. Lots of prop eaters out there. Fishing was good at the island.

Good luck.
BLK
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[albinotrout]

Well looks like it's toon time for me on UL now for the rest of the year.
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[MRJ]

Water sounds a little skinny, but probably OK. Thanks, MRJ.
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[MRJ]

2 feet in the channel is pretty minimal, but good fishing at the island might make it worth it. I can trim up my motor so I will only draft about 1 foot so it will probably work. Thanks Boatloadofkids! MRJ.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Unless you have a deep draft or a long motor shaft you should be good. Just follow the previous advice.

Might not be a need to go all the way to the island. The depth drops quickly right off first spring and all the way down past the L. Just don't go in too close without going slow and watching the sonar. Post spawn it can be good for leftover walleyes and for larger catfish. Should be some white bass on the chew in there too. Find the shelf drop off and work small jigs, spinners or cranks along the edge.
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[Therapist]

TD Shot of Bird Island only shows the South East reef. There is one off each of the other three corners. The northeast one and south west are not as long, but they are there. The big hole is off the northwest corner and will be about 8-10 ft. deep now. It usually is 16- 18 ft deep. The souteast and south west reefs are the longest and will catch your lower unit if you do not watch out !!!!

[MichiganAngler]

Considering that's a satellite image of bird island during historically low water levels, I'd say it shows the hazards fairly accurately.
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[TubeDude]

[#0000FF]Anybody not VERY familiar with the underwater terrain around that prop-eating rockpile should work it with the motors up and use a push pole.

You are right about the reefs at all corners. But that 2004 pic showed those reefs above water. In the attached pic you can see the contours at a bit higher water...with some of those shallow reefs submerged.

Never a good idea to navigate around it at any speed at all.

CRUNCH.


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[albinotrout]

That's a nice eye!
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