Are Launch Fees Still Crazy After Covid?, Local boat launch fees

I had heard that Barrie and Innisfil areas had gotten bonkers for expensive boat launching fees in Covid times. Is that still the general consensus or are they back to reasonable rates?

Think they are all jumping on this cash cow wagon, Collingwood only charges $10 to launch but nail you on parking, if fishing for the day the total is $60...ouch,Wasaga park one charges admission which includes park and launch, Nancy island launch n/c then park at munisipal lots , Waubashene launch $30 incl parking...maybe other chime in re other spots...

hey fishergirl, where r u and hows the rates your way

All the municipalities that increased the rates did so to discourage outsiders from traveling into their protected zones during covid. They said it was to be a deterrent. I'm guessing since they haven't reduced fees to pre covid times they still wish to deter tourism into their zones. Shame on them.

Best bargain around--Meaford Harbour.

Launch & park--$12.00

SDC

Just like golf the price went up because covid but never come back down it all BS

Unfortunately if you need a proper launch, nice sloped concrete, dock and decent entry depth, most of the once public and even reasonable priced pay ramps in the 3 hr GTA radius have become scarce, over priced and even non-existent.. I used to say the 2 hr GTA radius when referencing the high traffic ramps but depending where you are coming from in the city and where you plan to go it can take over an hour just to reach the fringe of the city these days..

Best deal out there for someone who wants to be an avid boater and explore is the Ontario Parks seasons pass, I think it's just over a hundred bucks for the season and you can go anywhere from Lake Erie, Gbay, Simcoe and Kawarthas.. I could be wrong with this info since I am no longer an avid boater, but when I was I used the Ontario Parks.. Unfortunately I have heard in recent years even the Parks are getting congested, especially on weekends..

If you can use a natural launch, shallow and mostly unmaintained, you can still find these, ie the surge in kayak anglers.

Boating for GTA anglers 2025....

Sad reality.. Good o days.. back in the 80s and 90s... gone... sorry

Its extremely frustrating, to say the least, when municipalities charge these exuberant fees to launch (for non-residents) when they receive transfer payments from the provincial and federal governments to maintain these launches.

I've talked to both my MP and MPP numerous times about this, however, nothing is ever done. Municipalities should not be able to "double-dip" like this as transfer payments are funded by all tax payers in the province.

I've down-sized to a kayak this year - so I'm hoping to find some more obscure access points where I don't have to pay with my first-born to launch.

Given that our taxes went up around 6% in Innisfil this year (and projected to be the same hike again next year), I don't see them cutting back on launch and parking rates anytime soon and giving up the revenue.

So I live at 400/7 and want to fish the morning options drive to Simcoe pay the crazy non res fees( don't mind paying my fair share but to be kicked in the nads because I'm not "local" just is as discriminatory as it can be) or drive into the heart of the city and fish for free, even on weekends and holidays you'll only pay for street parking starting at 9:00 and as most know the best fishing usually ends round 11 so just need to pay for a few hours and that goes for res and non res alike. So guess what I chose. In reality its not because its the "cheaper" option but the distaste I have for the politicians and people that support such a relation. those Municipalities might as well be the Trumps of the North.

Like you said the pass for provincial parks is worth it , sibbalds you still have to book most of the time because it’s a crap show. The other best pay launch I find is Harry’s in the Jersey river across from Boston pizza in keswick , nice guy been doing it forever charges 20 bucks.

I'm sending a complaint to my MPP and to Doug.

Here's a template, if you wish to do the same.

Subject: Concern About Discriminatory Parking Fees for Ontario Residents at Innisfil Beach Park

Dear [MPP's Name],

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing to raise a concern about what I believe to be an unfair and exclusionary parking policy implemented by the Town of Innisfil at Innisfil Beach Park. As an Ontario resident, I contribute to provincial taxes that are allocated to municipalities, including Innisfil, for infrastructure and park maintenance. Despite this, I am being charged excessive non-resident parking fees, while local residents enjoy free access.

The current policy charges non-residents $10.60 per hour (up to $53.10 per day) for parking, and even more for buses. Meanwhile, residents park for free with a municipal pass. This effectively creates a two-tiered access system to a public park, based not on contribution to the province, but on postal code.

This approach seems contrary to the spirit of public access and equity that Ontario aims to uphold. If public infrastructure is partially funded by provincial dollars, then Ontario residents, regardless of their municipality, should not be penalized for wanting to enjoy it.
I respectfully ask you to look into whether this policy violates any provincial standards, and whether the use of provincial funds comes with equity-based obligations. At a minimum, I hope this issue can be brought to the attention of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing or the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.

Thank you for your time and service to our community. I would appreciate any support or advice you can provide on how this issue might be addressed.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Full Mailing Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number (optional)]

you make some good points there and hope it makes a difference. I personally don't think it will. I just stopped going. Haven't taken my boat or trailer with quad for ice fishing in at least 5 years. Was all free last time I did.

Coda--excellent template. Thank you.

I don't use innisfil, but the same situation exist at Collingwood.

I'm going to amend your template and send it to politicians in that area.

SDC

Agree with you Coda.... this is purely an elitist move in these municipalities


down my way everyone is welcome on launches and it is still 20.00 bucks and these launches are busy enough


like others I have refused to go to Innisville in particular. it' just pure BS

















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