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Mill Creek (Whitehall Bay) Inlet

2721 Views 10 Replies 8 Participants Last post by  Nicklaus
I believe there are a couple Mill Creeks on the Bay, but I'm looking for some local knowledge about the one off Whitehall Bay.

I'd like to sail to Cantler's on Saturday for some crabs. The charts show the Mill Creek inlet has a depth of 7 ft, but Active Captain reports some shoaling. I draw 6'2" so it might be a long dinghy ride from Whitehall Bay - which isn't a great anchorage, especially with the forecast SE winds.

If you have a favorite crab shack that isn't too far from the West River, I'm open to alternatives.
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I believe there are a couple Mill Creeks on the Bay, but I'm looking for some local knowledge about the one off Whitehall Bay.

I'd like to sail to Cantler's on Saturday for some crabs. The charts show the Mill Creek inlet has a depth of 7 ft, but Active Captain reports some shoaling. I draw 6'2" so it might be a long dinghy ride from Whitehall Bay - which isn't a great anchorage, especially with the forecast SE winds.

If you have a favorite crab shack that isn't too far from the West River, I'm open to alternatives.
First off, head up the South River and anchor in the cove just downstream of Liberty Marina. Dinghy up the river to Mike's Crabhouse.

If you insist on Cantlers (not worth it in my mind, but your choice), you should be able to carry 6'2" through there in a SE wind. If you choose not to, Whitehall Bay is a fine anchorage, even with winds from the SW, in all but the lightest boats. The dinghy run isn't bad at all.

I expect we'll be in Mill Creek (but not at Cantlers) this weekend.
Thanks for the info.

I'm open to suggestions aside from Cantler's but have an aversion to the South River on the weekends. Last time I was up there, it was like a game of Frogger with all the powerboats.
I had the blackened rockfish sandwich at Cantler's a few weeks back on a Thursday night. Was delicious and not crowded at all.
Cantler's will be crowded on the weekend.
Judging by the size of some of the sailboats that are kept in there I'd guess your 6'2" should get you into Mill Creek.
You might bump through the curve at low tide but you will be fine.
I live on Mill Creek near Cantlers. My boat draws 6'-4" empty and closer to 6'-6" with the tanks and lockers full and ready to go out for week or more. I have only hit bottom once and that was after days of very strong winds out of the north west, at low tide during a moon tide and so was about as extremely low tide as I have ever seen there.

The trick is to travel on a line from WB R-2 (Whitehall Bay) to MC R-2 (Mill Creek) until roughly 300 feet from MC R-2, then bear to Port until you can line up on a point that is roughly 30 feet to the left of MC R-2 with the G-3 beyond, and then turn towards G-3. Pass R-2 so it is roughly roughly 30 feet to your starboard. Pass G-3, G-5 and G-7 so they are roughly 20-25 feet to your port and the rest is pretty easy. The worst spot is at G-5 but I have rarely seen less than 7 feet there. Do not swing wide when you start and finish your turn at G-5 toward G-7.

Good luck,

Jeff
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The trick is to travel on a line from WB R-2 (Whitehall Bay) to MC R-2 (Mill Creek) until roughly 300 feet from MC R-2, then bear to Port until you can line up on a point that is roughly 30 feet to the left of MC R-2 with the G-3 beyond, and then turn towards G-3. Pass R-2 so it is roughly roughly 30 feet to your starboard. Pass G-3, G-5 and G-7 so they are roughly 20-25 feet to your port and the rest is pretty easy. The worst spot is at G-5 but I have rarely seen less than 7 feet there. Do not swing wide when you start and finish your turn at G-5 toward G-7.
Thanks. This perfect. I'll plot it on my chart.

I knew there were boats with deep drafts near there, just wondering what their tricks were for getting in and out.

Thanks again.
You can also go up to Rock Cr. off the Patapsco and go to Mikes Crabhouse North at White Rocks Marina. Great crab deck.


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You can also go up to Rock Cr. off the Patapsco and go to Mikes Crabhouse North at White Rocks Marina. Great crab deck.

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If you do that anchor off the Maryland Yacht Club where we reside. I'm in D20
You can also go up to Rock Cr. off the Patapsco and go to Mikes Crabhouse North at White Rocks Marina. Great crab deck.
We will be there tomorrow night. After fueling up at the MYC. We won't have our dinghy, but if anyone wants to visit, we'd love to have you.
Thanks again for the local knowledge. We made it in and out without incident. The depth sounder read 6.5 ft at one point - little shallow for my taste - but enough for my draft when you add in the offset of about a foot.
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