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Trolled nearshore at Buffington Harbor area, basically from the limestone plant to Buffington Harbor, ended 2/2. One 16-17” coho and a 4 lb steelhead. Both caught on Brad’s Thin Fish. Gold with red streaks color. Steelhead did a brief but cool aerial display. Was out with user Lund and Janet, our other fishing partner. First coho and steelhead of the season for us. 

Good job! Thanks for the report 

I’m a resident of IN. Planned to work the area of “hole-in-the-wall & Buffington Harbor mouth. Got to the guardhouse and was told it cost $25 to launch! I’ve dropped my boat there several times up until last year and was never charged.WTF! They seem to be making it so a Senior like myself can’t afford to launch any more. Forgive my rant. I’m just a fisherman living by modest means who fishes out of a 16.5 boat.

I just called and it's still first 30 Indiana residents are free- after that it's 25 dollars. 

Kinda a shame as you go to Lake Erie and they have great launches and it's absolutely free for everyone. 

No suprise here. The marina management in East Chicago chased me away years ago.

Maybe it's just me but, I remember what EC looked like many years ago. One side for in one side for out and nothing fancy. Since that time there has been many improvements. That work and a new face lift  cost money. I don't know any where else that lets the first 25 in for free? The number for boats for slips has been reduced. All in all the improvements were needed, and again it doesn't come for free.
I still remember when a Rapala or a trolling spoon didn't cost an arm and a leg. Things change cost never go down. Improvements help the over all area

The rub is the IDNR pitched in $$$ for these improvements and there's a state law that in counties the size of Lake County when the DNR funds developements that provide lake access, Indiana residents are supposed to get free launch. When this happened, EC Marina said, "Sure, launching is free, but parking is $15 (at that time)."  Obviously, the DNR (and anglers) complained, but in the end the situation was resolved with the first 30 for free agreement. It was strictly a political decision for the DNR to acquiesce to this agreement.  In other words it's a parking fee. Don't like it, residents should gripe to their legislators. 

It's this same agreement that makes all residents launch for free in Hammond Marina.  

Thank y’all for the input. Gonna call and check on that first-25 freebee at the EC launch. And I do understand “improvements” cost money. However, you can believe that as an IN. tax payer, some of my dollars went to paying for launching facilities in some way. Big business & gov. = subsidization.  Thanks again, gents, tight lines!! 

Congratulations! Thanks for the report!