Launching locations in and around Seattle

I live in Shoreline, and have been looking around with Google Earth for relatively close potential launching points in salt and fresh water for paddling experience and eventual fishing access.  I've identified a few, but could use some information on ease of launching. 

It looks like Lake Ballinger has public access.  This may be where I baptize the boat if I start solo.  It's very close to home, sheltered, and small.  Rumor has it there are fish there.

The very north end of Lake Washington has a long public pier. 
There are boat launches on both the north and south sides of Sand Point.

How about Mercer Island?  Looks like a couple of public beaches, one just opposite the south end of Seward Park, and one just east of the extreme south tip of the island by a marina and swimming pool.

How about in and around Lake Union?  I work at the south end of Lake Union.

Has anyone ever launched at Carkeek or Richmond Beach Parks?  Would be something of a walk, but probably easy with a cart.

There looks like there are a number of potential spots around the Edmonds Marina.  Which is the best/easiest?

Of course there is Shilshole Bay Marina.

Check our NWKA map for the skinny on the whole NW.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,1494.0.html

Z

Ah, Zee, not all us old farts have loaded up our precious knowledge on Google.

Ballinger does have a public access spot on the west side of the lake (short on parking) and a public park with boat launch on the NE corner. It gets fished hard. The planters get thinned rapidly and the bass aren't dumb (if they're still there).

At Carkeek there are stairs on the beach side of the pedestrian bridge over the tracks, so that would be tough. It always seems to be busy when stop there, too. Richmond Beach is doable and so is Picnic Point. (PP is a long haul/cart pull.) Golden Gardens is OK.The park at the south end of the Edmonds marina could work. I've launched off the beach at Pt. No Point and a bunch of spots on Whidbey Island.

Yes on public access to Lk. Washington at Kenmore/Lake Forest Park area. Over the years, that area has seemed to be a bit of a fish desert. I've done better in the mid section and the S end.

You might be able to access the water at the Center for Wooden Boats, on the S end of Lake Union. I know there is some public land/park just to the west, but I don't know how easy it is to get to the water. There are a bunch of little accesses on the N side of the lake, at street ends.

Ah, Zee, not all us old farts have loaded up our precious knowledge on Google.

Neither have the young farts.

Z

Z, PS, thanks for the responses.  At this point I am not looking for fish, but just to get some paddling experience, so "fish deserts" are okay, and good to remember for the future when I do start fishing.  Good tip on south Lake Union.  There is a little public park adjacent to the Kenmore Air terminal - I will check it out. 

I didn't know about the stairs at Carkeek.  Have you launched from Richmond Beach?  I've fished there numerous times, and live pretty close.  Edmonds is also close and I've fished the pier there.

Thanks.

I didn't know about the stairs at Carkeek.  Have you launched from Richmond Beach?  I've fished there numerous times, and live pretty close.  Edmonds is also close and I've fished the pier there.

Carkeek is a bit of a haul. If you want to fish that area I'd recommend that you go to Golden Gardens and fish from there to Carkeek. A really nice launch and some good fishing.

D. I'm right down the street from Richmond Beach and fish it most times when I'm out for salmon. When they start showing let's get out there!

Z

Okay.  That's a plan.  I am going to try hard to baptize the boat this weekend in Lake Washington.