CHARLES COUNTY LAUNCH
RAMPS
BY: Andy
Andrzejewski 
The
tidal Potomac River stretches along the western and south western side
of Charles County for more than 55 miles. In that 55 miles, there are
11 ramps available for public access. There is also a public access
ramp located on the Patuxent River along the eastern tip of the county
in Benedict.
Aqualand Marina, Newburg,
301-259-0572
Located
adjacent to the Harry Nice Bridge, this marina sits in a central location
to some of the best rockfishing in the state and with only a brief boat
ride upstream, you can be in excellent largemouth bass fishing as well.
There is a single concrete ramp, recently redone, as well as a protected
marina with a ships store and gas pumps. The ships store is an official
checking station for stripers, and has fishing tackle and accessories
for anglers. The ramp is open 24 hours a day with a $5.00 launch
fee. An honor box is available to deposit the ramp fee if the ships
store is closed. The ramp has been closing in December and reopening
the first of March.
Benedict Marina, Benedict,
301-274-2882
Located
at the eastern tip of the county on the Patuxent River, you can enjoy
the fresh catch-of-the-day at the local restaurants if you don't feel
like catching your own. The launch fee is $5.00.
From
Rt. 231, take Benedict Avenue to the ramp.
Captain
John's, Cobb Island, 301-259-2315
Captain
John's Restaurant in Cobb Island has a single concrete ramp and limited
parking. Boaters must park at roadside after launching. The ramp fee
is $5.00.
To
reach Captain John's from Rte. 301, travel East on Rt. 257 [Rock Point
Road] to Rt. 254 [Cobb Island Road]. Follow Rt. 254 to Captain John's,
on the right just before the bridge.
Chapel
Point State Park,
Port Tobacco, 301-743-7613
This
little out of the way ramp has a very scenic setting and is ideal for
car toppers, canoes or kayaks, no trailered boats. Located on the beautiful
and historic Port Tobacco River, the ramp is simply a low spot in the
shoreline with a sand and gravel launch. No launch fee is charged and
parking is limited.
To
reach this facility, travel Rt. 301 to La Plata; take Rt. 6 West (Port
Tobacco Road) to a left yield onto Chapel Point Road. Follow Chapel
Point Road to park entrance on right and follow signs to the ramp.
Friendship
Landing,
Nanjemoy, 301-932-3470
This
Charles County Parks facility is a true gem. Tucked about midway on
the Nanjemoy Creek, four miles from the main stem of the Potomac River,
this ramp is ideal for power boaters seeking a sheltered launch site
with
easy access to the river or the great fishing in a wonderful tidal creek
where bass, white perch, yellow perch and catfish abound.
For
the kayaker, canoeist or small boater this creek offers miles of scenic
marshes which abound with wildlife. The winding creek has many high
banks offering protection from strong winds and nesting sites for the
Bald Eagles who call Nanjemoy Creek their home.
The
ramp is adjacent to deep water and has a pier to aid in boarding. The
ramp is free. The ramp and dock area are also designated as a FREE Fishing
Zone, which simply means no fishing license is required by shoreline
and pier anglers. What a great idea if you have out of town visitors
and want to show off your county's fishing opportunities. The parking
area accommodates 14 vehicles and trailers including handicap access.
Because
of the limited facilities, fishing tournaments of any kind are prohibited
at this ramp. This is a trash free park, meaning you must take what
you bring.
To
get to Friendship Landing, take Rt. 6 West from La Plata to Ironside.
Turn left onto Rt. 425, to a left onto Friendship Landing Road. The
road ends at the ramp.
Goose
Bay Marina and Campground,
Welcome, 301-934-3812
Goose
Bay is a privately-operated marina and campground located on the 
Port
Tobacco River at the confluence with the Potomac River. It is located
in a sheltered bay and has three concrete ramps for launching. The fee
for launching is$7 and there is a $3 parking fee if you wish to park
an additional vehicle. This is a full-service facility with fuel and
repairs available, as well as a ships store and restroom facilities.
Plenty of parking is available and can accommodate a large number of
boaters. This facility can get very busy on weekends during the boating
season so plan accordingly.
To reach Goose Bay Marina, take Rte. 6 West from La Plata for approximately
7 miles. Turn left onto Blossom Point Road and follow the signs.
Marshall
Hall, Bryans
Road, 301-932-3470
The
Marshall Hall Ramp is a double-wide concrete ramp with pier located
on the main stem of the Potomac River just west of the town of Bryans
Road. This is a Charles County Parks facility and no fee is required
for use. Ample parking is available as well as an overflow parking area.
This is an excellent ramp, located in some of the best fishing the river
has to offer, and is seldom crowded.
Marshall
Hall is easily reached from Indian Head Highway (Rte. 210) in Bryans
Road, Maryland. Take Rte. 227 West to the dead end at the ramp.
Mattingly
Park Ramp,
Indian Head, 301-743-5511
Formerly known as Slavins
Ramp, this facility is now operated by the Town of Indian Head and is
a part of the adjacent park. This ramp, with pier, is located along
deep water in Mattawoman Creek. The ramp can best be described as adequate
and is most often frequented by bass boaters and small boat owners.
The ramp fee is $5, payable by an honor box at ramp side. Parking is
available for approximately 15 vehicles.
Follow
Indian Head Highway (Rte. 210 South) to the end of the road, about 18
miles from the Washington Beltway. Turn left onto Mattingly Avenue to
the ramp.
Port Tobacco Marina, Port
Tobacco, 301-870-3133
Located
in historic Port Tobacco, one of Maryland's oldest towns, this marina
offers three ramps, fuel, a boatel, and Mercruiser service. The ramp
fee is $7 and hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through
Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday through Sunday.
To
get to the marina, take Rte. 301 to the Town of La Plata and turn west
on Rte. 6. Follow Rte. 6 West for three miles to Shirley Blvd. Turn
left on Shirley Blvd. and follow it for approximately one mile to the
marina.
Saunders Marina, Cobb
Island, 301-259-2309
This
family-run launch ramp, located in quiet waters adjacent to Cobb Island
and Neal Sound, provides a single concrete ramp and plenty of parking
with 24-hour access. The launch fee is $3, payable by an honor box at
ramp side.
To reach the ramp,
take Rte. 257 from Rte. 301 to Rte. 254 [Cobb Island Road], follow Rte.
254 for one mile and look for the sign on your right.
Shymansky's Marina,
Cobb
Island, 301-259-2221
Shymansky's has a single
ramp located in quiet waters near Cobb Island with easy access to the
Wicomico and Potomac Rivers. A bait and tackle shop is available and
opens at 6 a.m. on weekdays and 5:30 a.m. on weekends to accommodate
the early anglers. The daily ramp fee is $5 and a season pass is available
for $45. Parking is very limited and overflow parking must use the roadside.
To
reach Shymansky's from Rte. 301, travel East on Rte. 257[Rock Point
Road] to Rte. 254 [Cobb Island Road]. Follow Rte. 254 to Shymansky's,
on the left just before the bridge.
Sweden
Point Marina, Smallwood State Park, Marbury,
301-743-7613
Sweden
Point Marina is a part of the Smallwood State Park 
facility
on Mattawoman Creek in Marbury. Located just one mile from the main
stem of the Potomac River, it is the home to many national and regional
bass tournaments. The marina has six boat ramps and piers to facilitate
launching. There is parking available for approximately 140 vehicles.
A seasonal concession stand is present as well as a gas pier [no diesel].
The daily ramp fee is $10 and a season pass is available for $60. Wet
slips are available for transients who wish to keep their boat in the
water overnight. A $2 per person park service charge is collected on
weekends and holidays, April through October. Many park amenities are
available.
To
reach the park from Rte. 301, take Rte. 225 West in La Plata to a left
onto Rte. 224 and follow signs to the park. To reach the park from Rte.
210, take Rte. 225 East in Indian Head to a right onto Rte. 224 and
follow signs to the park.
On
the Potomac River, locals used to say that our largemouth bass fishing
was our best kept secret. Today, that can’t be further from the
truth since the Potomac has received national acclaim as a world class
fishery. But that’s O.K. because we’ve got another secret.
Fantastic, rod-bending stripers! Whether you troll, jig, or cast, striped
bass action can be found year-round on the Potomac River. 
•
Shallow coves and tributaries off main river; marinas with adjacent
deep water, old gravel pits, over beginning growth of submerged aquatic
grasses, head of tributaries.
