Many of the places I have launched used to be free and now charge some fee that is less than a movie ticket for one. I would not make that the driving factor, unless the pricing is deliberately unreasonable and intended to keep you out (because either you are not a local or because you are not a fisherman and can't recoup the cost of an annual pass). In those cases, go elsewhere, but perhaps also don't buy gas, groceries or anything else there
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
The launch I use most often is free but I like it for other reasons. Except for the peak season it's not actually very busy, and it is nicely sheltered from the wind right at the dock, so I can always sail right up to the dock and also raise the sails and sail away from the dock. The only time the paddles come out is if the wind dies completely.
The lakes are navigable waters. That means they should be covered by nautical charts for which NOAA has a free viewer. Charts do list boat ramps with a special symbol. Perhaps you can find some that you hadn't known about and can then use the web to get more information on.