List of Lake Erie Islands
The Lake Erie Islands are a chain of archipelagic islands in Lake Erie. They include Kelleys Island, Pelee Island, the Bass Islands, and several others. The majority of these islands are under the sovereignty of Ohio in the United States. Pelee Island is the only major island administered by Ontario, while the smaller Middle Island is the southernmost point in Canada. Most islands that are large enough are popular tourist attractions with car ferries running from the mainland and between some islands and some small airports and numerous private marinas offering other ways to reach the islands.
Economy
Most of the islands remain financially stable via tourism. Grape growing and wineries were once the mainstay of the economy. Kelleys is heavily forested and has replaced them almost entirely, South Bass is more developed and still has a few large vineyards. Pelee is the only major island where vineyards remain popular. Limestone quarrying still occurs on Kellys Island; as well, there are a few hobby farms.
Residents
Most of the islands are headed by a small group of year-round residents. However, eager vacationers often raise the populations dramatically during the summer months, most notable on South Bass Island, which is the most tourist-friendly of the islands despite its small size.
Lake Erie islands
| Name | State/Province | Area sq. mi.[1](km²)[2] |
Location | Inhabited?[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pelee Island | Ontario | 16.140 sq. mi. (41.79 km²) | 41.7667, -82.6409 | Yes |
| Kelleys Island | Ohio | 4.41 sq. mi. (11.42 km²) | 41.601389, -82.6975 | Yes |
| South Bass Island | Ohio | 2.482 sq. mi. (6.428 km²) | 41.6497, -82.8189 | Yes |
| Middle Bass Island | Ohio | 1.258 sq. mi. (3.258 km²) | 41.679167, -82.811111 | Yes |
| North Bass Island | Ohio | 1.076 sq. mi. (2.786 km²) | 41.716667, -82.816667 | Yes |
| Johnson's Island | Ohio | 0.469 sq. mi. (1.215 km²) | 41.4963, -82.7346 | Yes |
| Rattlesnake Island | Ohio | 0.133 sq. mi. (0.344 km²) | 41.6791, -82.8493 | Yes |
| West Sister Island | Ohio | 0.120 sq. mi. (0.311 km²) | 41.739722, -83.105278 | No Longer |
| Middle Island | Ontario | 0.072 sq. mi. (0.186 km²) | 41.6825, -82.684444 | No Longer |
| East Sister Island | Ontario | 0.058 sq. mi. (0.150 km²) | 41.813056, -82.856389 | No |
| Sugar Island | Ohio | 0.047 sq. mi. (0.123 km²) | 41.692, -82.826 | Yes |
| Green Island | Ohio | 0.027 sq. mi. (0.069 km²) | 41.6456, -82.8651 | No Longer |
| Ballast Island | Ohio | 0.019 sq. mi. (0.049 km²) | 41.6778, -82.7853 | Yes |
| Mouse Island | Ohio | 41.59111, -82.83306 | No Longer | |
| Gibraltar Island | Ohio | 0.010 sq. mi. (0.026 km²) | 41.6582, -82.8206 | Yes |
| Indian Island | Michigan | 41.752202, -83.390962 | No | |
| Hen Island and her "Chickens": Big Chicken, Chick, and Little Chicken islands |
Ontario | 41.788333, -82.7975 | Hen Yes, the "chickens" No | |
| Middle Sister Island | Ontario | 0.015 sq. mi. (0.039 km²) | 41.8487, -83.0007 | No Longer |
| North Harbour Island | Ontario | 41.825, -82.86 | Yes | |
| Turtle Island | Ohio/Michigan | 0.002 sq. mi. (0.005 km²) | 41.7525, -83.391111 | No Longer |
| Ryerson's Island | Ontario | 42.602358, -80.281611 | Yes | |
| Second Island | Ontario | 42.589883, -80.270843 | No | |
| Starve Island | Ohio | 0.003 sq. mi. (0.008 km²) | 41.626667, -82.8225 | No |
| Buckeye Island | Ohio | 41.6648, -82.7904 | No | |
| Lost Ballast Island | Ohio | 41.675475, -82.786383 | No | |
| Snow Island | Ontario | 42.579731, -80.259129 | No | |
| Mohawk Island (formerly Gull Island) | Ontario | 0.015 sq. mi. (0.039 km²) | 42.833889, -79.5225 | No Longer |
| Gull Island, Ohio | Ohio | 41.659761, -82.687328 | No[4] | |
| Catawba Island (former island)[5] |
Ohio | 5.700 sq. mi. (14.8 km²) | 41.563611, -82.838889 | Yes |
| Gard Island | Michigan | 41.750064, -83.44212 | No Longer | |
| Presque Island (former island) |
Pennsylvania | 4.863 sq. mi. (12.594 km²) | 42.163056, -80.100833 | Yes |
| Kafralu Island | Ohio | 41.464719, -82.673476 | No Longer | |
| Bird Island | New York | 42.895333, -78.906722 | No |
See also
References
- ^ https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/gazetteer.html
- ^ http://www.statcan.gc.ca/start-debut-eng.html
- ^ http://www.middlebass2.org/IslandsInLakeErie.PDF
- ^ "Lake Erie Island Sites". Middle Bass on the Web. Retrieved 2008-10-25.
- ^ "Catawba Island, the Great Peach Growing Center of Ohio" (PDF). Retrieved March 6, 2014.
External links
- How many islands are there in Lake Erie?
- Explore the Lake Erie Islands: Self-guided Tours to Natural Wonders & Historic Tales (pdf)
A Guide to Nature and History along the Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail
