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[Sir Snag-A-Lot]

I am interested in fishing the mouth of the Fraser this year.  My boat is in Maple Ridge.  It is capable of 40-50 km/h.  Based on this, it seems that it would be faster to put the boat in there, and boat down to the mouth, as opposed to driving and launching down there.  Is this good logic, or are there complications along the way that would make it take longer?

[BwiBwi]

I thought about that before too.  How much fuel would be required?

[Trophy Fisher]

Personally I would drive down and launch the boat close to were you want to fish. The Fraser has a ton of wood flowing down this time of the year and this can be a pain to navigate around, on a long trip.

[VAGAbond]

There is a lot of floating wood at this time of year.    At any time of year there are deadheads, typically sunken hemlock poles with just the tip at the water surface.   Almost impossible to see in a chop in some light conditions but very dangerous.

[bcsixgill]

When I had my runabout, I used MacDonald Beach.  From there it was a short run to the mouth and a little jaunt over to the South end of Bowen.  Back then I ran from MacDonald Beach up to Pitt Lake and Back, found it cheaper to tow the boat behind my car....also less tiring due to scanning the water for debris.  Look under Richmond Parks for more info.

[island boy]

also if you happen to have any boat trouble while your out there it could be a long walk back.

[lude98r]

Its more expensive by boat 4 sure but no traffic to deal with. also the bridge traffic is nothing.

[SmokeyRiver]

Macdonald beach is definatly where you wanna launch. I'ts a wicked launch too

[Sam Salmon]

Its more expensive by boat 4 sure but no traffic to deal with......

Not even close there's all kinds of traffic on the Fraser everything from other powerboats & jetskis to monster tugs and their larger tows.

MacDonald Beach is the place you want to start. 

[arimaBOATER]

SirSnagAlot .... hi .... If ya use McDonald Beach boat launch  you will be satisfied. Lots of parking. On week days it is not as busy...as some weekends ya can have 50 or more veicles with their boats launching from there.--- Costs $8 for the day. Get pass from a ticket machine.  Use the south ramp to back down. (south side of the dock)  One can launch from either side of the dock but the north side pavement is ALOT SHORTER.  If ya back too far on that ramp your veicle wheels may go off the end of the pavement right into DEEP MUD.  ------------ Also check your tides as very low tides ya may have only have 1.5 to 2 ft water in there.(AT LAUNCH) ----------------------  When ya get to the mouth of the river (UBC area) keep going straight out 1 mile as to the right side (starboard side) there is a major sandbar. (imagine ya have a depth & fish finder) Area is ok if there are light winds but be careful because should NW. winds pick up ya can get 4-8ft  waves at the mouth. ----------- High tide days & low winds are the very best times. ---------- The good part is ya can fish south or north of the mouth & even fish over by West Vancouver .  We've launched from there at least 25x. Also keep a sharp eye out for floating debris in the water at all times mainly in the river...specially if your going any amount of speed. --------------------------------To give ya an idea... last year we were by Stanley Park ---West Van area... & we decided to go back to McDonald Beach & call it a day.... it took us exactly 30 minutes to get to the launch. Not bad for going across English Bay...then up river to the launch (North Fraser) & we only have a 40 hp on our Arima boat. (should be min 50hp for the size of boat we have but we took out the big gas tank & use portables so to lighten the boat....thus we get away using the 40 Yamaha. All the best & safe boating.

[Sir Snag-A-Lot]

Great responses guys, thanks!  It could be a fun rip down the Fraser, but probably not worth the stress. 

[Sir Snag-A-Lot]

Also, a limit of chinook in the boat would really slow down the trip home!