Cruising McGregor Bay

[Michigan_Eric]

We did the express tour of the North Channel this past summer (2023) and plan to return for a more thorough cruise in 2024. I want to spend some time in McGregor Bay, north of Baie Finn, and I really want to get up into Iroquios Bay at the very top. I have CHS chart 2206, but some of the channels look pretty tight. Does anyone here have experience cruising McGregor Bay, and can you get up to Iroquios Bay with 4'6" draft? It mostly looks plenty deep but there are those few places where it looks like you have to shoehorn your way through.

Can you also recommend a cruising guide for the area? I'm considering joining the Great Lakes Cruising Club for their harbor reports and other information.

Thanks for any information you can provide.

[Jeff F]

Ive been into Iroquois Bay and around the north side of MacGregor Island in my 4' draft trawler to the park area. Deep water access to the area is possible through a couple of routes, but it's tricky and largely unmarked. The easiest way in is through the blasted channel between MacGregor and Iroquois Islands.

It's a lovely area, remote and largely empty of people. There are also great anchorages on the south/east side of MacGregor Island near the park boundaries.

[IRENE]

We did some exploring and anchoring on the SE side of MacGregor Bay - with a very shallow draft boat.

The Richardson’s Chartbook and Cruising Guide for Lake Huron and North Channel is the perfect complement to your chart. Note “chartbook”.

Lake Huron Chartbook & Cruising Guide, 8th Ed.Richardsons' Great Lakes and Inland WaterwaysLH8 - | Maptech

Wonderful area to enjoy!

[Michigan_Eric]

Thanks for your replies. I have the Richardson's book for Lake Huron (8th ed.) but it does not include a chart for McGregor Bay, which I think is the only omission for the whole lake. *That's* frustration, but I have CHS 2206 anyway.

Yesterday I decided to just go ahead and join the GLCC (https://www.glcclub.com) and I'm glad I did! They have detailed guides to McGregor Bay and every other place you might want to visit.

I was not surprised that a couple of the narrow channels up through McGregor Bay had been blasted through.

[Mirage35]

Originally Posted by Michigan_Eric

...

Yesterday I decided to just go ahead and join the GLCC (https://www.glcclub.com) and I'm glad I did! They have detailed guides to McGregor Bay and every other place you might want to visit.

...

Welcome to the GLCC. We have a saying: New members join for the harbor (harbour) reports and stay for the people. It's a great group.