Quick Answer Rice Lake has four main public boat launch options: Bewdley (west end), Roseneath (south shore), Gores Landing (HBW's location, south shore), and Hastings (east end, Trent-Severn entrance). Each has different facilities, parking, and seasonal access. HBW's Gores...
Quick Answer
Rice Lake has four main public boat launch options: Bewdley (west end), Roseneath (south shore), Gores Landing (HBW's location, south shore), and Hastings (east end, Trent-Severn entrance). Each has different facilities, parking, and seasonal access. HBW's Gores Landing ramp is 2-lane concrete with parking and washrooms; day fees apply. Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) and Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) are required for powered boats.
What Each Public Launch Offers
Bewdley (west end of Rice Lake)
- 1-lane concrete ramp
- Public parking lot
- Closest to Highway 28
- Often busy on weekends
- No fuel on-site
Roseneath (south shore, middle of lake)
- 1-lane ramp, asphalt and concrete
- Limited parking
- Quieter than Bewdley most days
- No services
Gores Landing (HBW, south shore)
- 2-lane concrete ramp
- Parking lot (fills up on weekends)
- Washrooms, snacks, fuel at HBW
- Day fee applies (see signage at ramp)
- Direct access to mid-lake and the Trent-Severn east
Hastings (east end)
- 1-lane ramp
- Public parking
- At the entrance to the Trent-Severn east
- Good if you're locking through to the Trent-Severn system
How to Choose the Right Launch
Pick by where you're going:
West-end fishing or Bewdley-area cottage access: Bewdley.
Middle of the lake (most common for general boating, walleye trolling, or visiting Gores Landing/Roseneath area): Gores Landing or Roseneath. Gores Landing has better facilities; Roseneath has less of a crowd.
East-end fishing or starting a Trent-Severn trip: Hastings.
Need fuel, washrooms, or first-time launch help: Gores Landing (HBW). Our staff are there during business hours.
For most Toronto-area or GTA visitors, Gores Landing is the most accessible choice: 2-lane concrete, parking, services, and the most consistent ramp surface.
Which Rice Lake ramp makes sense
Pick the launch that matches your boat and schedule
Not all ramps handle all boats the same way. Match the ramp to your hull size and how busy you want your Saturday morning to be.
If you are launching a small fishing boat or pontoon
- ✓Boat under 18 feet, light aluminum or pontoon
- ✓Comfortable with a shallow, easy-access ramp
- ✓Do not mind a busy summer Saturday
- ✓Prefer proximity to mid-lake fishing and the Trent-Severn east
Gores Landing public ramp
If you are launching a bigger boat or trailering on weekends
- ✓Boat 20 to 24 feet, deeper draft, or heavier rig
- ✓Want deeper water and more parking on peak days
- ✓Prefer less congestion while you rig the boat
- ✓Need a ramp that handles larger trailers reliably
Provincial park ramps east on the lake
When in doubt:Gores Landing works for most recreational boats up to about 26 feet. If you are unsure, call ahead at 905-342-2153 and we will point you to the right ramp for your rig.
Step-by-Step: Launching at Gores Landing (Or Anywhere)
If you're new to launching, this is the basic flow. Most people do it efficiently after a few times.
1. Pull into the staging area (the parking spot before the actual ramp, not on the ramp itself). Do your prep here:
- Remove trailer straps
- Install drain plug
- Lower the motor
- Make sure ignition is set up and battery is connected
2. Back the trailer down the ramp at a slow, controlled speed. Keep the boat straight on the trailer. Stop when the boat is mostly floating, not when it's still mostly on the trailer.
3. Have someone walk the boat off the trailer to a temporary tie-up on the dock or pull it to a holding area. If you're solo, tie a line to the boat before you back in, you'll need to retrieve it from the dock.
4. Pull the trailer up the ramp and park in the designated lot. Drive forward, not in reverse, to clear the ramp.
5. Boat in water, trailer parked. You're launched. The whole process takes 5–10 minutes once you've done it a few times.
Do not block the ramp doing prep work. It's a constant frustration at public launches. Use the staging area, then move quickly through the actual ramp.
What You Need to Have on the Boat (Required by Law)
For any powered boat in Ontario waters:
Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC) for the operator. One-time test, accessible in the boat or on phone.
Valid Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) for any boat with a motor 7.5 kW (10 HP) or larger. 2026 PCL changes: lifetime licences converted to 5-year renewals at $24. Check your PCL is current.
Required safety equipment:
- One PFD per person (one must be a wearable Type III)
- Sound-signaling device (whistle, horn)
- Bailer or manual water pump
- Anchor or grapnel with line
- Paddle or oar
- Navigation lights for sunset operation
Transport Canada publishes the full list, and there are specific extras for larger boats. Make sure you have everything before you launch.
Trent-Severn Free Lockage 2026
If you're launching to lock through the Trent-Severn, big news: lockage is free from June 19 to September 7, 2026 as part of the Canada Strong Pass. Pick up the free lockage sticker at the lockstation, online sales have been eliminated for 2026.
You can build a live CAD quote for your repower online at Mercury Repower Centre.
This makes the multi-day Trent-Severn trip much more accessible. See Trent-Severn Waterway Boating Guide 2026 for the full breakdown.
Common Mistakes at Public Launches
Forgetting the drain plug. The boat fills with water as you launch. Every Saturday at every busy ramp.
Trying to launch from the staging area. The staging area is for prep, not launching. Use the actual ramp.
Doing prep on the ramp. Pull off, prep, then back in. Don't tie up the ramp for 10 minutes while you load coolers.
Wrong shaft length on a small boat. A short-shaft outboard on a deep-V hull cavitates immediately at launch. Make sure your motor matches your boat before you launch.
Backing in too fast. Slow, controlled, watch your mirrors. Don't dunk the trailer below the wheel wells.
Pulling the trailer up too fast with water still draining. Let the boat clear the trailer fully before you drive up. Water in the trailer bearings is a common cause of bearing failure.
Fishing Regulations and Licences
You need a valid Ontario fishing licence to fish on Rice Lake or anywhere else in Ontario:
- Outdoor Card (one-time purchase)
- Fishing licence (annual or short-term)
HBW does not sell fishing licences. Get yours online at ontario.ca/fishing or at a local licence vendor before you leave.
Rice Lake is in Ontario MNR's Fisheries Management Zone 17 (FMZ 17). FMZ 17 rules apply, including size limits, bag limits, and season dates. Walleye, bass, and muskie all have specific rules. Check the current Ontario Fishing Regulations Summary before you keep fish.
Related guides
- Rice Lake's Full-Service Marina Since 1947: The best full-service marina on Rice Lake, Ontario. Family-owned since 1947 in Gores Landing. Mercury.
- Rice Lake Boat Rentals from Toronto and the GTA: A Day Trip Guide: A Rice Lake boat rental day from the GTA, drive time, pricing, what's included, what to bring. From Harris.
- Rice Lake Boating Guide 2026: Launches, Hazards, Fish, and a Local's Notes: A local's guide to Rice Lake, launches, the sunken railway hazard, fishing seasons (FMZ 17), launches.
- Boat Service Near Toronto: Why HBW Has Ontario-Wide Reach From Rice Lake: A Mercury Platinum dealer's honest take on what GTA boat-service options really look like, what HBW does that.
FAQs
Are the public launches on Rice Lake free?
Some have day-use fees (Gores Landing). Bewdley, Roseneath, and Hastings vary, check at the launch.
Can I launch a 24 ft boat at any of these ramps?
Most ramps can handle up to about 20 ft easily. For 22+ ft, Gores Landing and Hastings are typically the most accommodating. Roseneath and Bewdley are tighter for larger boats.
Where can I park my trailer for the day?
Designated lots at each ramp. Gores Landing has the largest and most reliable parking, but it fills up fast on summer weekends.
Do I need a PCOC to launch?
You need a PCOC to operate the boat, yes. Launching the boat (driving the trailer) doesn't require a PCOC, but the moment you have the motor running on the water, you do.
Can I leave my trailer overnight at a public launch?
Most public launches don't allow overnight parking. Check signage. HBW customers may have trailer storage options, contact us at hbw.wiki/service.
What if my boat is bigger than the public ramps can handle?
HBW's 2-lane concrete ramp at Gores Landing handles most recreational boats up to about 26 ft. For anything bigger, call us first: 905-342-2153.
Internal Links
Ready to Launch?
If you need a Mercury motor before your next launch, build a quote at mercuryrepower.ca.
For service, parts, fuel, or to ask about our ramp at Gores Landing, call 905-342-2153.
Harris Boat Works | 5369 Harris Boat Works Rd, Gores Landing, ON | Mercury Marine Platinum Dealer | Since 1947
Related guide: Boat trim for Rice Lake boaters.
Sources
Ready to price it out? Build a live CAD quote for your repower online at the Mercury Repower Centre.
