It’s no wonder that Detroit and Highland Park, MI are national centers for boating. There’s so much water nearby, including two Great Lakes, numerous large rivers, and many, many other smaller bodies of water. There’s a long and venerable nautical history here too, with everything from prohibition rumrunners to Allied landing craft having been built on these shores. Read on for our list of the best spots to get on the water nearby.
1. Lake St. Claire
Lake St Claire is the quintessential lake in the Detroit area, and for good reason. The numerous islands, channels, and bays are a joy to explore, but make sure to keep a close eye out! Not only are over 150,000 other pleasure boats registered on the lake, but over 3,000 freighters a year pass through the ship canals to and from Lakes Huron and Erie.
Luckily, the lake is large enough that there’s very little danger, and plenty of space to drop a line, which is a must as the lake was rated as the world’s best bass fishing lake by Bassmasters back in 2013. Head to Mitchell’s Bay, a small community located on the lake’s eastern shore, that has some of the best fishing in all of North America.
2. Lake Erie
Located a little south of Detroit, Lake Eerie is a wonderful lake to launch your boat on and is very easy to access, with lots of launch ramps that make it easy to get out on the water. The lake has a maximum depth of over 210 feet and can get very choppy when the wind picks up, so make sure to check the weather forecast first. However, don’t worry, the lake is usually very calm, with beautifully smooth and clear water.
Lake Erie is a popular fishing spot and is famous for the Lake Erie walleye, which is currently enjoying a record population boom. Head to one of the lake’s 24 beautiful islands for a memorable day out, where you’ll find secluded swimming spots, great beaches, and space for any watersport you can think of.
3. Lake Huron
Smaller than Lake Erie, Lake Huron can be reached by water from Lake St Claire, making a tour of all three lakes a possibility. Over 30,000 islands dot the lake, mostly on the Canadian side of the lake’s northern reaches, where it connects to Lake Michigan to the west. Don’t despair, however, as there’s plenty to explore further south, and the fishing is splendid wherever you can drop a line. Chinook salmon, pike, and catfish can be found at every turn.
If you’re happy to hop across the border to Canada (the border runs down the center of the lake) heading to Grand Bend, a boater-friendly destination with modern marinas and seemingly endless festivals all year round.
Have we missed your favorite spot to take a boat? Then you’d better come and tell us! Pay us a visit at Bill Snethkamp Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram today.
Image by Albrecht Fietz from Pixabay | CC BY CO
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