Here is a question for you? Why is there almost ZERO places to dock boats when your unloading and loading at ramps here in the central part of Texas?

I go alone most times I fish and pretty much every lake I go to there is almost no where to dock a boat out of the way without beaching it… Any ideas or comments on why not?

Makes sense to build some to help the flow of boat ramps around these busy lakes we have here.

Think about it!!

Maybe because of wildly fluctuating water levels in Central Texas? Just a guess. Maybe the floating ones are more expensive. I don't know. Good question.

I dont understand why they aren't built sim. to the ones at Ray Roberts. Built to adjust with a truck pulling them up or pushing out. Very simple design

But I'm sure that it has to do with the Corp. owning or the state owning.

Most of the Marinas that charge fees normally have a good launch area and docks. $$$$$$

Lack of funds to build and maintain would be my guess. Maybe it's the old squeeky wheel thing- fishermen have not complained loud enough. Or maybe the powers that be just don't realize the need. Realistically, docks would probably need to be supervised to keep them for launch ramp users and not for fishing. But maybe not, on second thought. The place I launch has bulkheads on both sides of the ramps, and fishermen tend to stay at least 40 ft away. Boat traffic at the ramps, boats tied up at the bulkheads does not make for good fishing, I suppose. I wonder if an organized movement would have any effect. Maybe a petition to at least have some public opinion input. And, it's not just fishermen; boaters of every persuation have the same gripe.

I don't have a boat, but it would be nice to see them out there. The local lakes i fish have them at some launches. I see alot of bank guys use them for fishing docks and thats not right. Right now most of them are not useable right due to water levels.

Many lakes are run by the Army Corps of Engineers and it is their policy. Even if you own water front property you cannot build a dock. Silly rule i think, but it is what it is.

The Corps does allow marinas to build docks, so it must not be a hard and fast rule.

The Corp will allow a pier / dock in some areas if if built to their specs. And U pay a permit fee $30, On pines in East tx it must be in a low impact beach area, they worry about beach erosion and how it looks with existing area.

Lewisville is a corp lake correct? If so, I know of atleast 2 personal property owners that have docks and boathouses extending into the water.

Like at your villa? Boy you would have to build a zip line to get to a dock at your place! LOL

I would like to see 410Man on a Zip Line!!! LOL!! I wonder what test zip line that would be?

The Corps no longers issues permits to build boat houses or docks on Lewisville. Current permit holders are allowed to sell theirs to another individual. I've heard $50,000 is the going price.

I don't understand the reason why the Corp. won't allow docks on these lakes around here?

Toledo Bend is a Corp. lake why do they allow it there?

I guess I need to research this one a little more.....If you want change then educate yourself first then approach the issue with your "guns of knowledge" blazing!!

Im on it!

Go for it, SKEETER151. I, personally, would like to see the Corps, as well as TPWD build launch ramp courtesy docks at all their facilities. I would not mind a small increase in fees to pay for them.

This is the question I asked the Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Grapevine during last summer. None of Grapevine Lake ramps have a decent dock that you can tie your boat up to after launching and then park your car/trailer and come back and walk on the dock to your boat. He knows it's a problem, especially for lone boaters, and I pointed out to him that it is also somewhat dangerous to be hopping over the bow to get your boat going, after being pulled on to shore (if there are no rocks). The problem is the variation in the lake levels. Ray Roberts has good launch docks (as was pointed-out) and that's where I go when I am by myself. I have yet to fish Grapevine due to this dock situation. The Director of P&R in Grapevine has RR-like docks on the agenda, but it hasn't been financed yet. Someday, at least one good launch dock will be on Grapevine Lake. Until then, if you want to be safe (and if you have ever slipped on a concrete ramp while launching, safety becomes very important very fast)use the RR docks.

That was one of the reasons i bought an aluminum boat. I have no problem beaching my boat as only a few places i put in have docks. Cleburne, Steele Creek (Whitney), Plowman (Whitney), and Granbury are the only ones i have used.