Boating is a big deal along Ohio’s North Coast, attracting watercraft of all shapes and sizes as skippers and crew chase a walleye dinner, cruise to the popular Lake Erie islands or hoist sails to enjoy an evening sunset.
As popular as Lake Erie has become, Ohio’s rivers and reservoirs continue to beckon. New and unique Ohio water trails are making a splash all around the Buckeye State, in waterways where smaller hand-powered craft are becoming exceedingly popular.
“All of Ohio’s water trails take you through some of the most scenic and beautiful waterways in Ohio,” says Eric Slough of
Sylvania, Ohio.
For the 20th year, Slough hosted the Kayak Rendezvous at South Bass Island State Park in early June. It’s a free event, and more than 100 paddlers made their way for a weekend of paddling the Lake Erie Islands while hanging around campsites, campfires and kindred spirits.
The Lake Erie Islands Water Trail is the most adventurous of all the new Ohio water trails, says Slough, encouraging paddlers to navigate around South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass islands, as well as nearby Kelleys Island and the Mainland Trail around Catawba Island and the Marblehead Peninsula on the Ohio mainland.
Giving the state-sponsored water trails a very big boost is the free Water Trail Map produced by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. All are available online from the ODNR and provide launch sites, parking areas, shoreline areas and a wealth of tourism information.
“The water trails really promote paddling and encourage many anglers to learn to handle big waters and enjoy the outstanding near-shore kayak fishing on Lake Erie for walleye and smallmouth bass,” says Chuck Earls of Lake Erie Kayak Fishing in Avon Lake. Earls teaches kayaking and kayak rigging, hosts kayaking tours and guides Lake Erie walleye anglers.
“The river tours are quite pleasant,” says Earls, “but Lake Erie paddling requires quality kayaks designed for the task, paddling expertise and plenty of caution.”
The new Portage River Water Trail provides a low-key, leisurely paddle or an all-day 36-mile adventure from Pemberville to Downtown Port Clinton on the Lake Erie shoreline.
“As a tourism attraction, the Portage River Water Trail is going to help us attract visitors as we work to build an extensive riverfront development in Oak Harbor that includes a boardwalk, amphitheater and riverfront development,” says Mike Shadoan, president of the board of the Park District of Ottawa County.
For more updates about Cleveland, sign up for our Cleveland Magazine Daily newsletter, delivered to your inbox six times a week.
Cleveland Magazine is also available in print, publishing 12 times a year with immersive features, helpful guides and beautiful photography and design.
