Shilshole / Golden Gardens Launch Fee

I've looked all over for this and can't find the answer. Seattle Parks website says if you use a lane you have to pay the $12 launch fee. Is that for non-motorized craft as well? I'm guessing that's why people launch from the beach instead of the boat ramp? Seems silly to pay $12 to launch a kayak when you can't even park there if you car-top your boat.

Some park on the street, roll the yak down to the launch and don’t consider it a “pay required” launch. You can’t park a car w/o a trailer inside the trailer area if I read the rules correctly. Not judging anyone, but I did it once but from now on I park and launch inside the Park off the beach. Good luck and watch the wind if your heading out Sunday. You can do well sometimes close to the marina entrance or just outside the jetty.

Some park on the street, roll the yak down to the launch and don’t consider it a “pay required” launch. You can’t park a car w/o a trailer inside the trailer area if I read the rules correctly. Not judging anyone, but I did it once but from now on I park and launch inside the Park off the beach. Good luck and watch the wind if your heading out Sunday. You can do well sometimes close to the marina entrance or just outside the jetty.

Thanks. I was thinking of heading out tomorrow. I think the wind is forecast 10-20kt so pretty decent. I might just head to Lake Sammamish and try there instead.

For shilshole, the wnd cane be strong but still ok if it’s fron the east, southeast. Theres a good free launch at sammamish on the west end. Look for the kayak area, good restrooms if needed.  Good luck, would appreciate knowing how you do.

I went out yesterday to Shilshole. The wind wasn't that bad and from the SE. I saw quite a few bait balls in the morning but they were probably ~150ft. I was using a Shimano Butterfly Flat-Fall and I was having trouble dropping down that far before they swam off. By early afternoon no more bait balls.

There was a nice WDFW lady who interviewed me for a creel report where I hung my head in shame and reported no catches. Although looking at the report now no one caught a salmon yesterday from Shilshole.