Lake Erie & St. Clair Cruising

[Malcolm Young]

In May we are planning to take our new C36 home from the Toronto area in Lake Ontario through the Welland Ship Canal, Lake Erie, Detroit River, Lake St. Clair, St. Clair River and Lake Huron to Kincardine. We did this trip in reverse in the mid 80s but have no recent experience or knowldge.We are looking for any suggestions that you may have of things to see and in particular what a good cruise guide would be for Lake Erie that covers both Canadian and American sides of the lake. I usually like to leaf through such guides to make my own choice however such a book store is 3 hours away and I am sure that there are some among you that have tried various guides.Finally, a question regarding the flagging of nets in Lake Erie. If I remember correctly, in Lake Erie, in the 80s, fisherman used to flag their nets with certain combinations of flags at the North end, East end etc. Does anyone know if this is still being done and what flag means what?

 

[Roy]

Cruise Guides for Lake Erie

My Richardons' Chartbook and Cruising Guide, 1944 Lake Erie Edition, includes Lake St. Clair and Niagara River. It also has some harbor photos. The harbor charts include harbors in Michigan, Ohio, Ontario and Pennsylvania. It also includes the St. Clair River, Detroit River. and the Welland Canal. Having used it for sailing Lake Erie, I believe it to be a reliable source.

 

[David Foster]

Lakeland Boating Lake Erie Cruising Guide

The Lakeland Boating Cruising Guide for Lake Erie also covers Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River through Lake Huron. We have used it in most of the ports west of Erie, on both sides of the lake, and find it informative, and complete.We also carry the Richardsons chart book, but recommend you use it.You can get the best touring guide for all of the Great Lakes by joining the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Their five volume loos leaf set has every thing you can imagine, but the initiation and membership is a little pricey.DavidLady Lillie

 

[Bill Stumpf]

Nets in Lake Erie

Nets in Lake Erie. You can encounter gill nets, trap nets and seine nets in Lake Erie.Gill Nets have been outlawed in Ohio since 1983. They are used in Canada most commonly found along the entire international line. The nets are set in a straight line along the lake bottom and can extend up to five miles. Markers (flags) are located at each end of the net. There is no specific color required. Most commercial fishermen use orange or red flags. Safe boat passage is made by rounding the outside of the markers.Trap nets are usually set singly. Square red flags are generally required to mark trap nets. The inside (shore side) is marked with a single 18” square red flag mounted on a three foot staff. The outside is marked with two 18” square flags (red on top and any color except orange on the bottom) on a six foot staff. Safe boat passage is made by traveling outside the staff with two flags.Seines are used in Sandusky Bay and Western Lake Erie. One end of the seine is held on shore or a barge anchored near the shore. A boat carrying the net circles around the fish and returns to shore where a winch is used to haul in the seine. Small black buoys indicate the nets location and are visible during the pulling operation. Safe boat passage is made on the off shore side of these black buoys.

 

[Chuck]

Sugarloaf Marina

I have always found the facilities

 

[Malcolm Young]

Thanks for the information on Lake Erie

Thank you all for the responses! They will be useful. The response on nets was very complete and will be valuable - hopefully it won't be foggy in May so I can see them ...