Could Launching Your Boat from a Public Road Be ILLEGAL?
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Did They Just Try to BAN Public Boat Launches?!
This one is a big deal. A small but dangerous section was quietly slipped into a North Carolina bill that could have made it ILLEGAL to launch your boat, kayak, or paddleboard from public roadways, causeways, and bridges. Yep, you read that right—something anglers have done for decades could have suddenly become a misdemeanor overnight.
And the craziest part? Most people—including lawmakers—had NO idea this was even in the bill.
That’s why we brought in our good buddy Steve Brewster (Fish with Brewski) to break down how this sneaky provision got in, who might be behind it, and what it really means for anglers, kayakers, and outdoorsmen everywhere.
What Was in Senate Bill 220?
Here’s the concerning part of the bill:
“Any person who willfully launches any motorized or unmotorized watercraft from the right of way of a public highway or street into a body of water adjacent to the right of way, except in public areas designated for boating access, is guilty of a class three misdemeanor.”
Let’s be clear: this was NOT about safety.
Instead, this part of the bill appeared to be a targeted attack on anglers—potentially at the request of private landowners and hunting groups who wanted to restrict access to certain waters. This means that even though you’d be on public land and entering public water, you could be charged with a crime just for launching a kayak.
How Did This Happen?
The most disturbing part? The language was added by a senator who wasn’t even listed as a sponsor. That’s right—this wording was quietly slipped in without public knowledge, and if it hadn’t been caught, it could have become law before anyone knew what happened.
And if you think this is just a North Carolina issue, think again.
This kind of thing happens everywhere—from local municipalities banning pier fishing to private landowners trying to shut down public access to water.
Why This Matters to YOU
This isn’t just about one state. If North Carolina had passed this bill, other states could easily follow suit. Public water access is a fundamental right, and once it’s taken away, we don’t get it back.
That’s why anglers need to stay informed and stay involved.
What You Can Do
✅ Contact your representatives – If you see something shady like this in your state, let them know we’re watching.
✅ Support fishing advocacy groups – Organizations are out there fighting for public access every day.
✅ Stay connected – Subscribe to channels like Salt Strong and Fish with Brewski to stay updated on fishing laws and access issues.
The Good News?
Because anglers and outdoorsmen rallied together, this dangerous provision was removed before it could become law.
But this won’t be the last time something like this gets slipped in unnoticed. That’s why we need to stay vigilant—because if we don’t fight for public access, no one else will.
Want the full breakdown and behind-the-scenes details? Watch the full podcast episode above!
Stay strong,
Joe Simonds
Salt Strong Co-Founder
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Thanks to eagle eyes like yours fishermen can make themselves heard before it is too late.
Have been dealing with loss of areas my whole life . Clearwater and bellair beach being in my opinion the worst for the average land based fisherman . I can remember sand key before it was a park . Now you can’t fish there at night . They have a little pier but this is very limiting . Many years ago I have been run out wading past the park boundary . Wading worked for awhile until ranger noticed us one evening and threatened us with jail time even tho we were past high tide . Also you can not launch a kayak from anywhere around the Clearwater pass bridge . The sailing center can have all there little vessels there but a sign at that south west side of bridge explains no personal water craft launching allowed .when asking for definition from officer he said that includes kayaks ! Just another freedom taken away from the simple life ..Sailing center money has affected this area for public access . I can understand combustion engines being denied from that small beach area but paddle should not be denied or forced to use public ramps where the danger from larger vessels are much greater for them and to far away from areas that are productive . Thank you for listening.