Hand / carry-in launch · Lake Ontario · New York

Rochester DEC launch

A public hand / carry-in launch on Lake Ontario / Braddock Bay in Rochester, Monroe County, New York. Managed by NYSDEC.

Directions All Ontario launches

The launch

What the agency lists

Launch type: Hand / carry-in launch — hand launch
Water: Lake Ontario/Braddock Bay
Parking: 10 cars
Accessible features: Listed by the agency
Fee: Not published in the source — ask the manager
Managed by: NYSDEC
Location: Rochester, Monroe County, New York
Coordinates: 43.3056° N, 77.7077° W

Before you launch

Lake Ontario is big water

Creek-mouth launches depend on lake level and sand. Some shoal in low water, and the DEC notes where that is a known problem. Out front, the lake is deep and cold close to shore, and a north or west wind stacks waves at the harbor entrances.

Lake-effect snow squalls off the east end. Oswego and Tug Hill can get several feet in a day, and a squall can arrive on a boat ramp with almost no warning in November.
Deep water very close to shore on the south side, which means fish are far offshore in summer — 8 to 15 mile runs are normal and the weather can change during them.
Strong current and standing water at the Niagara Bar. The river outflow meets lake water and creates real hydraulics; small boats get into trouble there in wind against current.

Read how to read a Great Lakes marine forecast and trailering and launching on big water. Pack the big-water safety kit.

From this launch

What to fish on Lake Ontario

Our Ontario fishing guides name spots at or near Rochester:

Brown Trout · Late March through May, with a second window in October and November near the river mouths

Brown Trout Fishing on Lake Ontario

The Genesee River mouth, Rochester: Warm river discharge in April pulls browns into the plume. Troll the color line where brown river water meets the clear lake.

Chinook Salmon · Mid-June through mid-September, peaking with the staging fish off Oswego and Mexico Bay in late August

Chinook Salmon Fishing on Lake Ontario

Rochester and the Genesee River mouth: Fish the 150 to 350 line straight out from the Genesee. Devils Nose east of Rochester holds a temperature edge that concentrates fish in July.

Lake Trout · May and June shallow, July through September deep, with a fall concentration on the eastern shoals

Lake Trout Fishing on Lake Ontario

Rochester and Devils Nose: The contour east of the Genesee River holds fish on bottom through summer, and the run from Rochester is short.

Northern Pike · May through June, September until ice-up, and December through mid-March through the ice

Lake Ontario Northern Pike: Chaumont Bay, Henderson Harbor & the South-Shore Bays

Braddock Bay and Irondequoit Bay: Rochester's two bays. NYSDEC calls Braddock Bay's spring and summer fishing for trophy northerns outstanding, and Irondequoit Bay a year-round pike fishery, open water and ice. Launches at Rochester, Irondequoit and Penfield.

Smallmouth Bass · Late June through October, with September and October the best size window

Smallmouth Bass Fishing on Lake Ontario

Braddock Bay and the Rochester shoreline: South-shore rock and gravel breaks near Rochester in 15–30 ft. Less structure than the eastern basin, but a real fishery and easy to access.

Steelhead · October through April in the tributaries, peaking December and again in late March; June through August offshore

Steelhead Fishing on Lake Ontario

The Genesee River, Rochester: An urban tailwater below the lower falls with fall and spring runs and easy access. Fishes best on a moderate flow.

Yellow Perch Coho Salmon Muskellunge Walleye

Ontario by season

SpringBrown trout on the Bar and along the beach SummerKings offshore, deep and heavy FallThe Salmon River, and the biggest event on the chain WinterTributaries stay open, the lake mostly does

Next ramp over

Nearest Ontario launches

Greece DEC/Municipal launch4.8 mi · hand / carry-in launch · NY
Port of Rochester Marina6.1 mi · trailer ramp · NY
Hamlin DEC launch9.6 mi · trailer ramp · NY
Irondequoit Bay State Marine Park9.9 mi · trailer ramp · NY
Hamlin Beach State Park12 mi · hand / carry-in launch · NY
LaSalles Landing Park13 mi · hand / carry-in launch · NY

Straight-line distance, not a boating route.

Landmarks from the water

Lighthouses nearby

Braddock Point Light3.7 mi · deactivated
Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse6.1 mi · deactivated

Source

Launch facts are from the NYSDEC, Boat Launch Sites for Monroe County, retrieved 2026-10-05. Ramps close for repairs, fees change and water levels move; confirm with NYSDEC before you tow. Fishing rules are set by theNYSDEC.

Chart shoreline generalized from Natural Earth (public domain). Not for navigation. Something wrong or missing? Write to contact@greatamericanlakes.com.

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