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Never launch or fished this area, any tips or things I should know? Launch from East Chicago marina? Do they have a fish cleaning station? Any obstructions or boat traffic tips also appreciated. Thanks in advance, first time out this year , been in Florida and excited to get back out on the big pond!

Last time I was there (Monday) fish cleaning services were unavailable.  $25 bucks to launch.  Stop and pay the guard- they’ll ask for your drivers license and then they’ll write down your trailer plates.  Youl’ll pull around and up to or near the fish cleaning station where you can do your pre-launch things.  When done there just launch at one of the ramps.  You’ll have to park your car and trailer outside where you entered —in the parking area.  You’ll probably see other rigs there and it’s not too long of a walk back.  Once launched you should be good to go, just motor in the middle of the two harbor entrance /exit points.  Drop lines outside the harbor or a 1/4 mile or so down and troll along the wall.  Good luck!
 

One more thing- dodger / flies did it for us Monday.

Thank you for the information! Really appreciate you taking the time for the details. I’ll post up a report later!

thanks

If your a Indiana resident and are one of the first 25 or so to launch, it's free, just fyi. Depends on what time you plan on going, but good chance if its early on a weekday you will make it.

Thanks for that info! We will be launching fairly early so good to know!! Excited to get back out there!!

When you enter , drive all the way to the left then drive clockwise around all the boats then arrive close to the fish cleaning  station to do your pre launch routine.  That's the way its supposed to go- seen a few people short cutting it and going straight to the ramps and cutting others off.  You're not a bass guy so I'm sure you'll do it correctly
If you've never been there it would be easy to go straight to the ramps though. 
 

Thanks LTrain, I looked at it on the map and got you! Pretty sure I would have screwed that up. Really do appreciate everyone's input helps alot. Anyone catching anything besides coho? Any kings around yet?  Off topic but we do a trip to Manistee each fall, last night of our trip just after dark had 6 kings on all at once. We were able to land 4 of the 6 but my gear took a beating, tangles that required cutting and hand lined one fish in     . Funny thing is for such a cluster it was one our favorite memories of the trip!! Pictures for your viewing pleasure. If you have never been, I highly suggest dong a trip up there!

Thanks LTrain, I looked at it on the map and got you! Pretty sure I would have screwed that up. Really do appreciate everyone's input helps alot. Anyone catching anything besides coho? Any kings around yet?  Off topic but we do a trip to Manistee each fall, last night of our trip just after dark had 6 kings on all at once. We were able to land 4 of the 6 but my gear took a beating, tangles that required cutting and hand lined one fish in Funny thing is for such a cluster it was one our favorite memories of the trip!! Pictures for your viewing pleasure. If you have never been, I highly suggest dong a trip up there!    .