Safe to launch at Strawberry?

[mjlevie]

Anyone been to Strawberry in the last couple of days? Is it still safe to launch a boat?
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[Kent]

Why wouldn't it be safe?
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[mjlevie]

Frozen ramp. Usually don't launch this late in the season. I guess I am asking is there any reason I wouldn't be able to launch tomorrow.
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[Kent]

I have launched at Strawberry after Thanksgiving every year (but last year because we fished Bear Lake) for at least 10 years. You are correct, the biggest challenge can be ice on the ramp from water that drops on it from boats and trailers being pulled up the ramp.
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[Lundman]

Just throw in some kitty litter, oil cleanup compound, or snow melt for traction and maybe a shovel in case you need a little sand from the shore. Sometime you can even use your car mats if you're desperate. Again just watch where the other guy zooms out of the launch and leaves big trail of water that can form a sheet of ice - don't worry you'll stop when you hit the soft water or shoreline but it's a scary ride. I also wouldn't have anyone in the boat until you were near the water.
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[SBennett]

I will give you the answer you want instead of answering your question with another question (what is this site becoming?).
I launched at Strawberry Marina yesterday at about 9:30 am and was the last to leave.
The ramp was good all day long and has a single courtesy dock in the center of the ramp. If you were to launch on your own as I do it will be a little trouble but if you have a partner it will be a piece of cake.
The lake was amazing all day and the boating was fantastic.
Caught maybe 22 or 24 fish with about 70% being bows.
All fish caught on cranks, 3" white tube jigs tipped with 1/2" crawler, and rainbow PB.
Go tomorrow, you won't regret it.
Plus, no entry fee!
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[lakepowellnut]

Be safe...I had a neighbor launch one year near Thanksgiving and didn't pay attention to the ice and ended up sinking his truck. He was new to boating and that played into it, but in the end all he could do was laugh. Good luck fishing!
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[HD7000]

I launched at Renegade yesterday morning. It was COLD when we first got there, 13 deg! I had no problem launching, but there was only one boat that had gone before me. if there was a lot of water on the ramp, it would instantly freeze making it a declined ice rink! It warmed up enough in the afternoon that there was no problem getting out, but be careful in the morning!
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[mjlevie]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I think we are going to give it a try and will definitely be careful. Good to know there is still a courtesy dock, I thought someone had said all docks were removed on Monday.
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[Jackin_Jaws]

Is Renegade as steep as the main marina?

[Kent]

It seems to be a little less steep to me.
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[SBennett]

During the warm season I always launch at Soldier Creek.
This time of year I launch at the main marina, the main marina launch ramp has a southern facing exposure that gathers/holds heat in it longer to help keep it less icy.
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[Old_Coot]

[quote SBennett]the main marina launch ramp has a southern facing exposure that gathers/holds heat in it longer to help keep it less icy.[/quote]

+1
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[HD7000]

The Renegade ramp isn't real steep, but there are no courtesy docks out and all the restrooms and everything are locked up. If you take it slow, I don't think you will have a problem.
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[lovetofish]

It would also help when pulling out after launching to let most of the water drip off right by the waters edge instead of letting it drip off all the way up the ramp.

Last year in November I carried 5 bags of kitty litter just in case, never did need to use it.
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