This is from the archives--Delta launch spots written up by Castro a few years ago....

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What I'm going to attempt to give you is information regarding access to fishing throughout the Delta from my experiences. I'll rate water entries 1-5. Meaning 1 = easy. 5 = highly difficult but can be done.

Keep in mind the Delta is made up of levees. A lot of the Delta's levees are reinforced with rock (riprap). Riprap entries can be considered easy for some and difficult for others. My experience: I have found the higher, vertical riprap to be more difficult for entry. Of course, I find a launch ramp access to be the easiest. I use a Fish-n-Map Co. Delta map as my choice of navigation of locating fishing access from a kickboat.

Using the map's coordinates:

F-9 location Mossdale boat ramp - Four dollar vehicle parking required from iron ranger. Rated 1 for water entry. Fishing San Joaquin River South of the HWY 5. Bridge can be rewarding in catches. *The river's tide/current can be difficult at times.

D-9 Old River - Tracy Blvd. Bridge, parking permitted on the north side of the bridge. This location can be a hit or miss in parking next to the bridge. Rated 3.High, dirt levee entry to water. Fishing at times can be good.

C-9 Old River - Water access near the end of Finck Road. Tight, shoulder parking. Rated 5.high, steep, vertical dirt, water access. Fishing can be rewarding at times.

D-9 Grant Line Canal - Grimes Road. Limited levee shoulder parking. Water entry rated 5. With high, vertical dirt water entry. *Tracy Oasis Marina's boat ramp. Enter with caution. Deck of ramp has mesh metal grade. Could cause damage to underside of boat. Over looked by many bass fishermen in boats. *At times can be heavy in ski traffic.

D-8 Middle River - Calpack Road. First view of waterway is Victoria Canal. Tight, shoulder parking is available throughout riprap levee. Water entry rated 5 due to high, vertical, riprap levee. *Heavy boat traffic. Further down the road on the point looking north at the Union Point Bridge. Water access rated 3 with dirt steps to water entry. At the very end of Calpack Rd. chosen site of Bass-n-Tubes' check-ins near the rock barrier rated 3/4 with mid to high, vertical, riprap, water entry.

D-8 Union Point Bridge - HWY 4 Middle River parking access north side of bridge. Water access rated 4 due to a large step on top of the levee, mid. vertical dirt levee. Weekend afternoons: this place is a boater's zoo.

D-7 Trapper Slough - Bacon Island Rd. HWY 4 limited shoulder parking. Bacon Island Rd. 2 rated water entry. This slough has limited fishing water due to overgrowth of water hyacinth.

D-7 Middle River - Bacon Island Rd. up threw Upper Jones Tract Lower Jones Tract. Tight, shoulder parking. Water entry rated 4/5 with mid to high, vertical, riprap. This area on the norm contains a lot of boat traffic. Bullfrog Landing area, strong current movements.

D-7 Lower Mildred Island - Empire Cut has accessible shoulder levee parking. Water entry rates 4 with mid, vertical, riprap. *Great place to fish when striped bass are running.

D/E-7 Whiskey Slough - Holt Rd. Whiskey Slough has a harbor launch ramp. I believe there is a fee to launch. If choosing not to launch at ramp, shoulder parking is available along west side of slough, just outside the boating harbor. Levee of riprap becomes a solid 5 for water entry. Rated 4/3, just before Empire Cut.

D-6 Turner Cut - Turner Cut Resort & Tiki Lagoon Resort & Marina. Boat launching available. Rated 1. Along Neugebuer Rd. out to Windmill Cove. Parking available along levee shoulder. Water access rated 4, with two sites along levee rates a 2 with sand beach. If looking for something new, might want to consider. Weekends: heavy boat traffic. * From water entry 300 yards to Lost Isle.

F-6 Port of Stockton - East of I-5 Weber Street weekday free, boat ramp access. West of I-5, Accessible levee parking along Fremont Street. Water access rates at 3/4. Monte Diablo exit West of I-5. Luis Park boat ramp allows easy access to Smith Canal. This one is for you. For those who enjoy flipping docks, wood structure.

F-6 Calaveras River - East of I-5 limited levee parking. Water entry rated 5, high, vertical riprap. *Lots of bamboo, and wood structure to flip.

E-6 Ladds Stockton Marine - West March Lane. Vehicle parking,fFour-dollars and one dollar boat launch. Boat ramp: easy launching. *Good place to fish for tournament seconds

E-6 Fourteen Mile Slough - Benjamin Holt Dr. Rated 3. water access through Garlic Brothers restaurant's parking lot. *Good midweek fishing water.

E-5 Whites Slough - Guard Road. Levee, shoulder parking is all throughout slough. Water entry rated 3/4 with mid, vertical riprap entry.

D-5 Honker Cut - Whites Slough - When right turn is made off of Eight Mile Road onto N. Correia Road. Honker Cut provides shoulder levee parking. With riprap water entry rated 3/4. At the end of N. Correia Road Whites Slough has a small cement ramp to water. Rated 1.

B-6 Rock Slough - Delta Road. Limited shoulder parking. Water entry rated 3/4 with mid, vertical riprap entry. *Caution launching from Holland Riverside Marina. Deck of ramp is covered with metal mesh grade. May cause damage to underside of boat.

B-7 Discovery Bay - Indian Slough. Here is the deal with Discovery Bay. Three ways to water access: One, if you know someone who lives in Discovery Bay and has backyard water access. Two, if you come across an open, vacant lot. *This can become tricky due to private property and trespassing laws. And Three, you can pay Twenty big ones to Discovery Bay's launching ramp faculties. *Fishing can be productive if you spend some time investigating and knowing the ins and outs.

This concludes my observations of Delta kick boat entries. Remember: your best launch will normally come from a boat launch ramp. Even better when it's safe & free...

-CAstro