Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge (RWR) Public Boat Launches

East End Boat Launch

Location: East End Boat Launch is approximately 3.25 miles east of RW) headquarters on the south side

of Hwy 82 (east side of north-south canal).

Areas of Access: The launch permits access to interior portions of the refuge that are freshwater for

most of the year (i.e., access to largemouth bass, catfish, gar, etc.). Popular water control structures to

access from this launch include the Big and Little Constance structures.

Boat Launch Specs: This is a double launch and both launches are 11 ft wide and 40 feet long (from the

beginning of the concrete to the end of the concrete).

*Note that this launch is closed from December 1 – March 1 to limit disturbance to wintering

waterfowl on the refuge.

Joseph Harbor Boat Launch

Location: Joseph Harbor Boat Launch is approximately 3.1 miles east of RWR headquarters on the south

side of Hwy 82 (west side of north-south canal).

Areas of Access: The launch permits access to tidal portions of the refuge that are salt-brackish water

most of the year (i.e., access to crabs, shrimp, redfish, speckled trout, etc.). Popular water control

structures to access from this launch include the Mud Hole, LSU, and Units 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 structures.

Boat Launch Specs: This is a double launch, and one launch is 17 feet 7 inches wide and the other is 17

feet 3 inches wide. Both launches are 40 feet long from the beginning of the concrete to the end of the

concrete.

*Note that this launch is tidally influenced, so launching a boat may not be possible with extremely

low tides, persistent north winds, or a combination thereof.