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.