Lake Erie Marinas: What to know and Where to Find Them

put in bay marina

Lake Erie offers marinas in every state and even Canada. Most marinas offer non-electric, electric, and oversized slips to accommodate your needs. Some marinas even offer covered slips and some with a garage. Sailboat-only marinas are also available with the most popular ones located in West Harbor and Sandusky Bay. Transient docks are popular on Lake Erie for people visiting and vacationing in the area. Call the marina you are interested in to see what the transient dock fees include. This Lake Erie marina guide includes an interactive marina map to help you search for the perfect boat slip.

Choosing a Lake Erie Marina

Choosing a Lake Erie Marina is not a simple task. It depends on what services, area of the lake, and amenities you would like. Remember, some marinas on Lake Erie do not have full service in the spring and fall, only in the summertime. If you are a fisherman, keep this in mind. During the summertime, most marinas have full service and the amenities that people look for. Some amenities include electricity at the dock, a restaurant, a pool, and on-site boat repair.

For pleasure boaters, being around attractions is key. Some areas of the lake have party areas where boats will gather and socialize. Some of these areas include Cedar Point, Sandusky Bay, and Cleveland Harbor. There are areas in both locations for people the tie up and party.

If you are a fisherman you know that fishing on Lake Erie is better in some areas. Keep this in mind while picking a Lake Erie marina to dock at. Some fishermen even choose to move their boats as the walleye migrate across the lake, this is a good idea if you are mobile. For people looking for a marina all year, somewhere in the central basin is a good choice.

Ohio Marinas

Ohio offers the most marinas of all the bordering states and Canada. This has to do mostly with the islands and peninsulas located in the Ohio waters of Lake Erie. The most popular marinas in Ohio are located in West Harbor, East Harbor, and Sandusky Bay. West Harbor offers a marina that accommodates sailboats at Herls Harbor. Most marinas in Ohio offer electric and non-electric sites. They can also accommodate smaller or larger boats and you pay by foot. Keep in mind that all the marinas have shallow water within proximity and staying in the channels is mandatory. East Harbor and Sandusky Bay are especially shallow in areas. Overall, Ohio offers some of the best marinas on Lake Erie.

Michigan Lake Erie Marinas

michigan lake erie marina

Michigan offers marinas on the western shore of Lake Erie and up the Detroit River. Most of the marinas in Michigan are on a creek or river. Being on a river allows direct access to Lake Erie. Lost Penninsula and Lake Erie Metropark Marina are two of the favorite marinas in Michigan waters of Lake Erie. All marinas offer the standard amenities and can accommodate any size boat.

Pennsylvania Marinas

The marinas in Pennsylvania are fairly thin and spread out unless you are parked in Erie, PA. Walnut Creek Marina offers a full-service marina if you don’t want to be in the city. The marinas in Erie, PA offer direct access to Presque Isle Bay, which is a protected bay. This offers boaters the opportunity to go out even if Lake Erie is rough. It also offers great fishing in the spring and fall. All marinas in PA offer electric and non-electric slips that can accommodate mostly any size boat.

New York Marinas

In New York, marinas a sparse except for Buffalo, NY. Buffalo Harbor is a great place to dock your boat. They have a few marinas to choose from with all the accommodations you need. The marinas offer quick access to the deep and clear waters of Lake Erie. With the Niagara River close by, there are a lot of fishing and boating options.

Canada Lake Erie Shore Marinas

The North Shore of Canada offers marinas spread out between the Niagara River and Detroit River. With limited towns and rivers between those two points, the marinas are limited. Each marina does however offer all the normal amenities of others. They can accommodate any size boat, provide electricity, and have a store with bathrooms. Some of the more popular marinas on Lake Erie are Leamington Municipal Marina and Erieau Marina. Both are great choices with direct access to Lake Erie.

canada marinas