If you're launching on Karick Lake, Blackwater River State Forest - Karick Lake South (No Gas Motors) is a solid freshwater option in Okaloosa County. It's well-placed for boaters who want to spend their time fishing rather than trailering across the county. It runs a single lane, so plan to arrive early on peak weekends. As of the last FWC inventory update, a launch fee applies here.
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At a glance
- County
- Okaloosa
- City
- Baker
- Waterbody
- Karick Lake
- Water type
- Freshwater
- Ramp type
- Stand Alone Ramp
- Launch lanes
- 1
- Ramp surface
- Concrete
- Dock
- Fixed Dock
- Parking surface
- Not Paved - Grass/Loose Soil/Sand
- Trailer parking
- 10
- Restroom
- Flush Toilet
- Fee required
- Yes
- Managed by
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
- Status
- Open for Business
- Hours
- Daytime Use Only
Address: Lower Karick Lake Road, Baker, FL, 32531 · Coordinates: 30.893756, -86.643448
Get directions on Google Maps →
Where it is
Live NEXRAD radar from Iowa State Mesonet — past ~65 minutes animated. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Ramp location from the FWC boat ramp inventory. Not for navigation.
On-water restrictions nearby
No mapped state manatee-protection or boating-safety zones were found within 500 m of this ramp in the current FWC dataset. This does not mean the area is unrestricted — posted signs and other local, state, or federal rules may still apply.
Restriction zones: For general awareness only — not for navigation or legal determination. Florida Administrative Code and posted on-water signs prevail. Other local, state, or federal restricted zones may exist that are not shown here. Source: FWC manatee protection & boating-safety GIS layers. Zone data as of .
What to know before you launch
- Clean, drain, and dry your boat between freshwater launches to help stop the spread of invasive plants like hydrilla.
- Parking and lane space can be tight on weekends; have your gear staged and your plug in before you back down.
- Always check current tides, wind, and marine forecasts before you launch — Florida afternoons can turn stormy fast.
Tides at the nearest station
The closest NOAA tide station is Pensacola, about 48 miles away. Here are today's predicted highs and lows (referenced to MLLW):
Boater discussion
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