
Lake Erie via Satellite
The HOMES pneumonic is one of the good ones, way better than ROY G. BIV. After all, who is Roy? What kind of last name is Biv? And what’s the G. stand for (green, but never mind)? HOMES is easy to remember and there are your Great Lakes, all wrapped up neatly in a bow: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior.
Lake Erie is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, and touches Canada, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York. It is connected to Lake Ontario by the Niagara Falls. It is the fourth largest Great Lake and the tenth largest lake in the world (by surface area, that is).
For those lucky enough to live near Lake Erie, boating is a delightful and frequent pastime. The shores of Erie are dotted all over with beautiful marinas. Yachts, sailboats, and motorboats of all kinds contribute enormously to the region’s economy. Ohio alone has over 412,000 registered watercraft.
Fishing is another source of tourism income as well as a favorite activity for area residents. Lake Erie has plentiful walleyes, perch, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, crappie, bluegill, and steelhead trout.
Boating and sailing towns in Ohio include Port Clinton, Marblehead, Put-in-Bay, and Oak Harbor. In New York, Lake Erie is accessed from Chautauqua County, a historic and storied region. Visit Celoron, Maple Springs, Randolph, Mayville, Jamestown, or Bermus Point for marvelous boating opportunities. In Pennsylvania, some of the best Erie area boating towns are Lake City, Harborcreek, and the city of Erie itself.
Another marine-related activity common to the Lake Erie region is bird watching. After a few days of boating, you want a shore-based activity? Consider Crane Creek State Park, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, or Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve, any of which will provide thrilling sights for any avid birder.
