Lake Huron and Erie Anchorages?

[HoppySailor]

Hello everyone. We are currently sitting in Rogers City Michigan trying to come up with some anchorages between here and the Erie Canal. We'd prefer to anchor rather than stay in marinas. Can anyone recommend an anchorage or two? We're leaving in the morning so would especially appreciate info on anchorages not too far south of Rogers City. Thanks in advance.

[River Cruiser]

Have you considered Active Captain? I also prefer to anchor and have used AC on the upper Mississippi River, Illinois River, Lake Michigan and Huron. I've found it very useful to identify anchorages and available walls to overnight on. Sometimes at the end of a long day I use charts, depth finder and spotlight to find something suitable.


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[meridian28]

There are plenty of anchorages. Look at your charts, check the wind direction, and drop the hook. If you're in one of the rivers, just pull out of the channel. Just be sure you are on the US side if you haven't checked into Canada.


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[valhalla360]

Another vote for Active Captain.


Natural Anchorages (some may be dependent on wind direction):
- Presque isle.
- Tawas
- Lake St. Clair (many locations)
- Grosse Isle
- Put in Bay
- Eire, Pa


You can also sneak into a lot of the man made harbors if you tuck out of the way and the wind is cooperative.


Luckily at least on the Michigan portion, the state has set up harbors of refuge, so there are nice well maintained marinas at comparatively low rates to fill in the gaps.

[PatSea]

North Bay of Kelleys island in western Lake Erie

[RolfP]

I've anchored in the big bay in Erie and just inside the entrance to Ashtabula. Both great stops after an overnight from Lake St. Claire.


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[SURV69]

Steer clear of Fairport Harbor(between Cleveland & Ashtabula).

It's a Hornet's Nest of FAST power boaters all 7 days of the week til about 9-10 pm(after dark), which turns the anchorage into a wash-machine, until the harbor begins to quiet down ... around midnight. You also have to watch the west winds too.

I've anchored there twice ... first time out of ignorance, second time out of stupidity.

It's got good holding(mud/silt) and is quite a nice harbor ... but only after the waters calm down.

Lorain is a really nice anchorage and there's a well protected designated anchorage near Sandusky & Cedar Point(never been there).

Ashtabula Harbor is really nice and Ashtabula has public docks near the bridge(2hr limit ... more or less)