Trip Planning and Choosing Anchorages

[RonaldJJames]

I'm planning a cruise through Georgian Bay and the North Channel to Lake Michigan. I'm using Navionics charts, Doziers Great Lakes Waterway Guide and Richardson's Chartbooks and Cruising Guides. My question is about choosing Anchorages.

There are many recommended anchorages. They may be marked on the charts, or specifically mentioned in Doziers. However, I can also see bays that look like they could be good spots, but there is no info on the charts or the guide specifically about anchoring. An example is Smith Bay on the NE corner of Manitoulin Island. With winds from the NW through S it should be sheltered and it look like I could find some 16' water at the far SW end of the bay.

Should I consider places like this for overnight stops?
In the case of Smith Bay, my paper chart indicates that the bottom is mud where I'm planning on dropping the hook. The Navionics charts don't show any type of bottom. If the paper charts didn't indicate the type of bottom, would I be unwise to anchor there?
What about prohibited anchorages? Should they be shown on the charts?

Thanks

[GordMay]

You might contact the Wikwemikong Bay Marina* (859-2850) for information. l
* located at Smith Bay

Or check out
➥ North Channel and Manitoulin Island

[RonaldJJames]

Thanks for your response. Good idea to call the marina. However my question was intended to be of a more general nature.
In general, if I see a bay that looks OK on the chart but is not specifically marked as an anchorage, would it be unwise to plan to anchor there?
Thanks

[GordMay]

I don’t think it would be wise to “plan” to anchor in unknown conditions.

On the other hand, most cruisers have a little of the explorer, in them.