Launches are sparse around the lakes. There is one tiny township launch in Indian River. I think its $10.
There is a DNR launch at Maple Bay which is really nice on Burt Lake (nice and all paved); next to Maple Bay campground on the West end of Burt Lake. There is another DNR Launch on Mullett lake on the East side off of Boy Scout Rd (this one is all gravel). Its right near the end of Jewell Rd. And there is another one in Cheboygan on the river which is deep water as well (all paved on this one too); right off M-27 by the Save-a-Lot Grocery. Aloha State Park on Mullett is really nice; I would recommend camping there if possible and they have a small boat dock / launch. Burt Lake State Park is nice also; but there is no boat launch. They have a very nice beach at Burt Lake State Park. You can anchor off shore and use the beach. And make sure to plan somewhere to watch the sunsets from 9-10pm during July / August. They are truly amazing.
Many people go on a day trip from Cheboygan all the way thru Indian River and into Alanson. Indian River has some nice restaurants and stores. If you go thru Burt Lake heading west up the Crooked River you can go thru a few locks and go thru Alanson where there are some nice restaurants; ice cream and other stores. If you keep going you can go back into Crooked Lake and Pickerel Lake. Keep in mind the locks have specific hours and close at night. Check the schedules on the website.
http://www.emmetcounty.org/parks-recreation/crooked-river-lock-2/
There is also another boat launch in Conway on Crooked Lake so you could possibly launch there and go the other direction. But it's pretty small. I think there are only about 20 parking spots.
Enjoy and have fun.
2018 Crooked River Lock Schedule
APRIL 21 -22 9:00 A.M. – 5: 00 P.M.
APRIL 28-30 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
MAY 1 – 20 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
MAY 21 – JUNE 29 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
JUNE 30 – AUGUST 12 8:00 A.M. – 10:00 P.M.
AUGUST 13 – SEPTEMBER 3 8:00 A.M. – 9:00 P.M.
SEPTEMBER 4 – 30 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
BEGIN SATURDAY AND SUNDAY ONLY
OCTOBER 6 – 7 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 13 – 14 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 20 – 21 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.
OCTOBER 27 – 28 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M.