Lakeland Boating - May 2018

Lake Erie Islands: PT. 1

From Catawba Island to Cedar Point.

Tonya Prater takes us on a three-part journey exploring the

many islands of Lake Erie. In part one, we discover the

southernmost islands (and some mainland “islands”) in Erie

and Ottawa County, Ohio.

C

atawba Island, Kelleys Island, Johnson’s Island and

Cedar Point are all located in the western basin of Lake

Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes. From an abundant

shoreline, world-renowned geological features, a haunting

past and a record-breaking amusement park, each island

offers something so unique that you’ll want to visit them all.

Start at Catawba Island

Natural wetlands rich with eagles, egrets and blue heron;

beautiful sunsets splashed across the lake; and great wine

all make Catawba Island a popular summer destination

known for its scenery and extended shoreline. Although

not an actual island, the five-square-mile peninsula provides

easy access to Lake Erie and the nearby islands of Kelleys,

Middle and South Bass, and Pelee in Canada.

Catawba Island is named after the Catawba grape

that flourishes in the mild temperatures along the lake.

Commercial fishing was the main source of revenue until

the 1950s, when the invention of the automobile heralded

in a tourism boom that continues today.

Catawba Island State Park offers four launch ramps for those

who trailer their boats. Public boat launches that connect directly

to Lake Erie are available at West Harbor and East Harbor.

Transient or guest dockage is available at many marinas

in the area. More than 1,100 slips accommodate a variety

of boaters’ needs, including winter storage, a deep harbor,

and floating and stationary docks for boats ranging from 50

to 70 feet. Amenities include: Electric; water; restrooms;

washers and dryers; picnic areas; fuel docks with diesel;

unleaded and ethanol-free fuels; pump-out; Wi-Fi; a heated

swimming pool; and even a private clubhouse.

Kelleys Island

Kelleys Island is a short boat ride from Catawba Island

and has an intriguing history. This 2,800-acre island was

formed by a massive glacier. The largest and most easily

accessible glacial grooves in the world can still be seen on

the northern shore at Glacial Grooves Geological Preserve.

Another place of interest related to Kelleys Island’s past

is the Inscription Rock State Memorial. Located on the

south shore of Kelleys Island, this exposed limestone

rock contains faint petroglyphs of men, birds and animals

carved by the Erie Indians around 300 to 400 years ago.

You won’t want to miss these.

Each year, more than 5,000 visitors flock to Kelleys

Island for the opportunity to play in and around the water

and to enjoy the natural setting the island provides. Kelleys

Island is accessible by ferry or passenger boat.

More than 300 boat slips are available for day and

overnight guests at several locations around the island.

Dockers Waterfront Restaurant & Bar located at Portside

Marina offers outdoor seating; it’s the perfect spot to grab

an Ultimate Ribeye Sandwich and enjoy the sunshine on

a clear day. West Bay Inn, Kelleys Island Seaway Café

and The Casino also offer the opportunity to dock and

dine. Traveling sans kids? Stroll up the hill to The Village

Pump, home of the famous Brandy Alexander, an adult

milkshake made with brandy and vanilla ice cream. Shop

the downtown boutiques, appreciate the architecture listed

on the National Register of Historic Places, or rent a bike

or golf cart to explore the rest of the island.

The island’s two nature preserves provide short hiking

trails. Scheele Nature Preserve offers a short half-mile

hike through woods and a meadow before leading you to

a secluded beach on the east side of the island. Connecting

to Lake Erie, North Pond Nature Preserve is a wetland

locale favorited by birders looking for migrating waterfowl

during the spring and fall. The 677-acre Kelleys Island State

park is located on the northern shore and offers camping,

swimming, kayaking and snorkeling.

If you plan to stick around overnight, you’ll find an

elegant lakefront property at Kelleys Island Venture Resort.

In addition to the hotel property, there are also condos,

cottages and homes for rent.

Marblehead Peninsula

As you leave Kelleys Island and proceed southeast to

Johnson’s Island, make sure to have your camera handy

as you pass by the Marblehead Peninsula. On your right,

you’ll see the Marblehead Lighthouse perched up on a

rocky limestone bed as waves crash against the shoreline

of the Marblehead Lighthouse State Park; this is the oldest

continuously operating lighthouse on the United States’ side

of the Great Lakes, and is one of the most photographed

landmarks along Lake Erie.

Johnson’s Island

Continuing past Marblehead Peninsula, you’ll round Bay

Point on the Sandusky Bay and head south to reach Johnson’s

Island. You won’t find boat ramps, restaurants or lodging,

but the island does have an interesting history.

During the Civil War, the island was used as a Prisoner of

War Camp for Confederate Officers. The isolated island was

chosen to deter escape attempts and for its close proximity

to Sandusky for ease of acquiring building materials and PHOTO BY TONYA PRATER

WAYPOINT

BY TONYA PRATER

Catawba

Island

Port Clinton

Kelleys

Island

Marblehead

Johnson’Islands

Sandusky

Cedar

Point

26 MAY 2018 | LAKELANDBOATING.COM

Waypoint_ErieIslands1_MAY18.indd 26 3/28/18 10:06 AM