YOUR ONE-STOP WEB SITE LINKS PAGE FOR ALL YOUR LAKE ERIE INFORMATION

Lake Erie Links

Below is a list of web sites with information you'll want and need for your Ohio Western Lake Erie visit.  We periodically check the links to make sure they are working and valid.  We are constantly adding new links.  The link is listed first.  Click on it to visit that site.  It will open in a separate window.  Once you are done with that site you can close that window and you'll be right back here at the links list.  If you find a broken or invalid link, or you know of a website you think should be listed here, let us know (contact info is listed at the bottom of the page).

WEATHER REPORTS and LAKE CONDITIONS  Variety of weather forecasts and Lake conditions sites.
Lake Erie / Ohio Weather Forecasts NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office Cleveland, click a location on the lake or state map for that area forecast.
Lake Erie Marine Forecasts NOAA Lake Erie forecasts: nearshore, open waters, by section or entire Basin.  Click desired colored map section of the Lake.
Lake Erie Marine Forecast Western Basin Nearshore NOAA Lake Erie Western Basin nearshore forecast: same as above but new format, more graphics.
Lake Erie Marine Forecast Western Basin Open Waters NOAA Lake Erie Western Basin open waters forecast: same as number 2 but new format, more graphics.
Lake Erie Area Weather Forecast Intellicast weather site loaded with features.  Set to Sandusky / Lake Erie Western Basin map radar. 
Lake Erie Area Weather Forecast The Weather Channel site with features.  Set to Port Clinton but map is Ohio Region.  Zoom in to get Western Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Area Weather Forecast AccuWeather site with nice satellite and radar images, set to Sandusky.  Zoom in on maps to get Western Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Weather Reporting Stations NOAA National Data Buoy Center Lake Erie Western Basin reporting locations, shore and buoy, Toledo to Huron. Click location.
Lake Erie Weather Reporting Stations NOAA National Data Buoy Center Eastern Great Lakes Recent Marine Data.  Click station location.
Western Lake Erie Buoy Stations NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Realtime Environmental Coastal Observation Network Stations.  Click station location.
Higher Tech Weather and Conditions NOAA National Weather Service Graphical Forecasts - Cleveland.  Lake map overlay data options (wind speed and direction, etc.).
Localized Conditions, Higher Tech Weather Underground interactive local weather stations map, set to Western Lake Erie.  Several data layers.  Click location.
Current Local Winds and Wind Forecast Windfinder Site.  Current local wind speeds, wind forecasts, other wind and weather data.  Graphical interface.  Set to South Bass Island.
Current Local Winds and Wind Forecast iWindsurf site.  Nice display of local wind speeds.  Various locations current wind speeds, including histories, at the same time. 
Canadian Lake Erie marine forecast Government of Canada Western Lake Erie forecast, weather conditions at local stations, ice conditions, more.  Other locations listed.
Lake Erie satellite imagery NOAA daily color MODIS satellite imagery of Lake Erie.  See water clarity, currents, algae blooms, cloud cover, ice cover, etc.
Lake Erie Satellite imagery Air Sports Net Aviation; nice black & white satellite image, multiple data choices including time lapse.
Lake Erie water temperatures NOAA Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System Lake Erie surface and bottom water color temperature maps.
Lake Erie surface water temperatures Sea Grant CoastWatch Lake Erie surface water temperature black and white map; Western, Central, and Eastern Basins.  More detail.
Lake Erie wind, currents, water levels, etc. NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System: winds, waves, temps, and other conditions.
Lake Erie conditions above and below water Weather and water conditions monitoring station buoy deployed to monitor algae levels around the Toledo Water Intake.
National Satellite NOAA Geostationary Satellite Server.  North and Central America coverage, regional choices; Great Lakes, Lake Erie.  Various data maps.
Maumee River water flow at Waterville USGS National Water Information System gage located in Waterville.  Flow rate, level, and other river info.
Sandusky River water flow at Fremont USGS National Water Information System gage located near Fremont.  Flow rate, temperature, and other river info.
Lake data (temperature, ph, dissolved oxygen, etc) Ohio State University Stone Laboratory water data, taken at Put-in-Bay.  Click the green dot on the map for data.
FISHING REPORTS/ INFORMATION Fishing reports, regulations, fisheries info, etc.
Lake Erie Ice Fishing Report Richards Bait and Tackle Shop on Catawba.  One of few LE fishing stores open in winter.  You can't get a better ice fishing report.
Lake Erie Mobile Fishing Report Our own daily text message / e-mail Lake Erie fishing report.
Lake Erie Fishing Reports Walleye.com fishing reports; Western, Central, Eastern Lake Erie.  Also other Ohio waters and beyond.
Lake Erie / other Ohio Fishing reports Ohiogamefishing.com Lake Erie / other Ohio waters fishing reports.  You must register to read the Lake Erie report.  Out of state reports.
Ohio Division of Wildlife - fishing report Daily (though not always) Lake Erie fishing report.
ODW - Lake Erie fishing information General information on fishing Lake Erie (link above is from this page).
ODW - Fishing Regulations Ohio fishing regulations; licensing, limits, special regulations for Lake Erie, maps, fish ID, and other information.
ODW - Lake Erie Fisheries Ohio Division of Wildlife Lake Erie Fisheries Sandusky and Fairport Harbor units info, also Sandusky Law Enforcement unit info.
Western Basin Sportfishing Association Social fishing club for people fishing the Western and Central basins of Lake Erie.  Operate the LEWT walleye fishing tournaments.
Maumee River Maumee Tackle website Maumee River fishing information, especially spring walleye and white bass spawning runs.
Lake Erie Walleye Spawn Research Environmental Monitor online journal short article about Lake Erie walleye spawning research project, August 2010.
ODW Lake Erie 2017 Fishing Forecast Ohio Division of Wildlife 2107 Lake Erie Fishing Forecast, includes info on species hatches and populations.
Lake Erie Charter Boat Association Lake Erie Charter Boat Association website.  List of member fishing charters and other information relating to L.E. charter fishing.
Michigan Lake Erie Charter Boats Michigan Charter Boat Association website, information on Lake Erie fishing charters from Michigan Ports on Lake Erie.
LAKE VIEW WEB CAMERAS Visual real time lake conditions from around the Lake.
Web cameras around Lake Erie, Great Lakes Lake Vision cameras. Lake Erie: Monroe, MI; Ohio Huron, Cleveland, Ashtabula, Buffalo.  Great Lakes St. Clair, Ontario, Michigan, Superior.
Detroit River web cam Detroit River at Port Huron, boatnerd webcam.  Nice view, requires Java.
Detroit River web cam Private boatnerd Webcam on Detroit River just north of Detroit.  Pans around a lot, doesn't stay focused on the river, but nice when it does.
Kingsville Ontario Seacliff area of Kingsville Ontario looking south over Lake Erie to Pelee Island.
Maumee Bay Point Place Private camera looking East across Maumee Bay from Point Place, Ohio.
Maumee River The Maritime Academy of Toledo, Maumee River looking east.  Nice big photo but not sure how often it updates.
Toledo Downtown Riverfront Toledo TV 11 camera on top of 1 Seagate Center, looking west.  Nice big photo but not sure how often it updates.
Toledo Harbor Light cameras NOAA Toledo Harbor Light #2.  Four camera angles, takes photo every few hours, has two day history.
Maumee Bay camera (requires Java) University of Toledo Lake Erie Center camera looking north into Maumee Bay.  Not always available / online.
Maumee Bay camera City of Toledo buoy deployed to monitor algae around the water intake, maintained by private company. 
Port Clinton Harbor Web Camera Removed but may return, Coastal Wave camera mounted on tower in Port Clinton, looks out to Lake Erie.
Put-in-Bay Harbor Toledo TV 11 camera mounted on Jet Express dock looking north over harbor.  Not sure how often it updates.
Put-in-Bay Harbor and South Bass Lighthouse Ohio State University's Stone Lab and South Bass Island south end Lighthouse streaming webcams.  Great views. 
Catawba Island Shore Camera Private Weather Underground camera on West shore of Catawba Island showing marina entrance and Lake conditions.  Nice view.
Sandusky Bay Bridge cameras ODOT Buckeye Traffic; 4 cameras on Sandusky Bay Bridge.  Click "cancel" to go to new site (old site is simpler).  Click the webcams box in the list at the left and then click update map, then zoom in to Sandusky Bay on the map.  You'll see the purple camera icons on the Sandusky Bay Bridge.  Click one.
Cedar Point cameras Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, cameras on top of rides give nice streaming views of Lake. Scroll down to see cams.
Cleveland Water Intake camera Cleveland Water Intake, 3.5 miles out in Lake Erie, live real time video looking shoreward, shows Lake and city.
Cleveland Wildwood Yacht Club camera looking out over break wall.  Has weather information.
East Cleveland GreatLakeVista camera near Willowick east of Cleveland looking out over Lake.  Weather information on picture.
Eastlake east of Cleveland Chagrin Lagoons Yacht Club, camera pointed northeast over Chagrin River harbor.
Great Lakes Webcams List Lakeart.com site.  Comprehensive list of over a hundred webcams on the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie. 
TRAVEL / TRANSPORTATION Trip planning and transportation needs.
Ohio road travel map with features ODOT Buckeye Traffic, zoom-in map with road and travel features.
Travel route planner MapQuest travel route planner, start point to end point directions.
Gasoline Prices Toledogasprices.com.  Type in Sandusky, Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, a town close to where you are going and search to get local prices.
Auto ferry to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Is. Miller Boat Line.  Auto/passenger ferry to South Bass and Middle Bass Islands from Catawba Point.  Arrives south side of both islands.  Longest seasonal schedule to South Bass Island.
Passenger ferry to Put-in-Bay, Kelleys Island, Sandusky, and special trips. Jet Express.  Passenger ferry from Port Clinton to South Bass Island (Downtown Put-in-Bay), Kelleys Island, and Sandusky.  Also runs special trips.  Main route is Port Clinton to Put-in-Bay.  Kelleys Island and Sandusky are are on a loop route, no direct service.
Auto/passenger ferry to Kelleys Island Kelleys Island Ferry boat line, auto and passenger ferry to Kelleys Island from Marblehead.
South Bass Island to Middle Bass Island Ferry Middle Bass Ferry, formerly Sonny S.  Passenger shuttle ferry between downtown Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island.  Site not active as of April 2017.  Probably will be updated May 2017.
VISITORS BUREAUS and AREA WEB SITES Public and private location informational web sites.
Ottawa / Erie Counties, "Vacationland" Lake Erie Shores & Islands, covering the most popular stretch of Lake Erie, from western Ottawa county through the Islands to Vermilion.  You'll find it all  here.
Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau.  Everything Put-in-Bay.
Middle Bass Island Private site with lots of visitor information about Middle Bass Island.
Middle Bass Island & nearby Islands Nice islands directory with lots of information, part of above site.
Port Clinton Port Clinton Area Chamber of Commerce.  Focuses on Port Clinton.
Marblehead Peninsula Village of Marblehead.  Small but informative site.
Kelley's Island Kelleys Island Chamber & Visitors Bureau.  Everything Kelleys Island.
Pelee Island, Canada Municipality of Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada.  Island visitor information
BOATING Boating regulations, safety, organizations, dockage, information.
Boat registration, safety requirements Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft; rules & regulations for Ohio boaters.
Lake Erie Boating Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft Lake Erie boating; charts, maps, fuel locations, special regulations, water levels, Canadian travel, more.
Boating safety, education & information U.S. Coast Guard boating safety center; regs, inspections, classes, info.
Boating safety, education & information U.S. Power Squadron, Sandusky; lots of information and links.
Boating safety, education & information U.S. Power Squadron, Port Clinton; lots of information and links.
Boating safety, education & information U.S. Power Squadron, Toledo; lots of information and links.
Boating navigation rules U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Center; navigation rules and information, other info.
Boating in Canadian Lake Erie waters Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft; information on boating in Canadian waters, landing in Canada requirements, check-in phone number, more.
Boat travel into Canadian Waters U.S. Customs & Border Patrol; paragraph (not section) 6 relates to most LE boaters.
Boat travel into Canadian ports (landing) Canadian Border Services Agency; requirements when landing in Canada.
Return travel to US from Canadian ports (landing) U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Recreational Vessels arriving in USA Along Lake Erie Shoreline requirements.  List of OARS stations.
Boat launch facilities Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft interactive state map of launch sites.  Very informative and comprehensive.
Boat Launch facilities Our own information, including photographs, of Lake Erie boat launch ramps.
National Marine Manufacturer's Association Advocate on behalf of more than 1,300 members to protect and expand the recreational boating industry in the United States, Canada, and the world.
Discover Boating NMMA site to help people get started in boating; different boating activities, where to go, owning and operating, gear, accessories, education and safety.
Marinas Marinas.com site with exceptional aerial photos and information on marinas nationwide including LE.  Reservations, chart overlays, great site.  Click the Maps/Charts tab and zoom in to Western Lake Erie.  Click the info icons on/off the left to show or remove them on the map.
U.S. Coast Guard Marblehead Station Located on Marblehead Peninsula; general Coast Guard operations around the Islands and Sandusky Bay region.
U.S. Coast Guard Toledo Station Located on Maumee Bay; general Coast Guard operations around the Maumee Bay and Western Lake region.
U.S. Coast Guard Toledo Station Marine Safety Downtown Toledo; Port Safety, Security, Marine Environmental Protection, Commercial Vessel Safety; under Homeland Security Adm.
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Located in Port Clinton; area of responsibility includes western and central Lake Erie along with five border counties along Lake Erie.
Canadian Coast Guard Amherstburg, Ontario station located at the mouth of the Detroit River; general operations, part of Joint Rescue Coordination Centres.
LAKE ERIE ENVIRONMENTAL Information on physical environment; water, geology, ecology, etc.  Conservation and similar organizations.
General information NOAA Ohio Sea Grant Extension; field agents, publications, information links.  Run under OSU, but works separately.
General information - ecology NOAA Ohio State University Stone Lab.  Lake Erie research and education center located on Gibraltar Island, Put-in-Bay Harbor. 
General Information - ecology U.S. Geological Survey Great Lakes Science Center; variety of information on Great Lakes Basin ecosystems.
Water levels ODNR Div. of Water frequently asked questions about Lake levels, other links.
Great Lakes Fishery Commission Intergovernmental Commission which researches and makes recommendations for all US and Canadian Great Lakes fisheries.  Link is to Lake Erie Committee.
Beach Advisories (swimming advisories) Ohio Department of Health swimming advisories for beaches along the Ohio shores of Lake Erie.
Black Swamp Conservancy Land trust dedicated to protecting agricultural land and unique natural habitats in Northwest Ohio.
Lake Erie Islands Conservancy  Local Conservancy dedicated to preserving lands and ecology on the Lake Erie Islands.  Operates a nature center on South Bass Island.
Lake Erie News Great Lakes Information Network news and lots of information on Lake Erie.
Lake Erie Ice Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory Great Lakes ice cover and information.
Lake Erie Ice Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory short article on their function regarding ice research and information.
Western Lake Erie water / ecology information Western Lake Erie Waterkeeper Association; political action group, lots of various information on environmental affairs, issues, and advocacy.
South Bass Island Aquatic Visitors Center Ohio Sea Grant / Ohio State University Lake Erie Aquatic Visitors Center. Displays, small aquariums with fish, interactive exhibits, fishing pier.
LAKE ERIE WILDLIFE  
Wildlife Refuges, Preserves & Areas Ohio Division of Wildlife interactive map of statewide wildlife areas.  Zoom in to the Lake Erie region and click the location pins.
Wildlife Refuges, Preserves & Areas Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge; located between Toledo and Port Clinton off State Route 2, next to Magee Marsh.
Wildlife Refuges, Preserves & Areas Magee Marsh Wildlife Area; State area located between Toledo and Port Clinton off State Route 2, includes Crane Creek State Park (beach).
Wildlife Refuges, Preserves & Areas Old Woman Creek State Nature Preserve & National Estuarine Research Reserve.  Located 3 miles east of Huron off U.S.. Rt. 6.
Birding Black Swamp Bird Observatory; organization dedicated to bird research, education, and birding.  Birding center located at Magee Marsh.
Birding Crane Creek - Magee Birding; blog of current bird migration status, sightings, and information.  Part of Black Swamp Bird Observatory. 
Birding Birding Magee Marsh; photographer run site with lots of information on birding Magee Marsh, including planning trips and bird identification.
Birding ODNR Lake Erie Birding Trail; information on the region and islands birding with a birding trail linking various birding sites into a self tour.
Birding eBird; site with various states listed, pick a state and then click on a county and lots of birding "hotspots" are listed.  Lots of information.
Birding Pelee Island Bird Observatory; organization located on Pelee Island, Ontario, Canada, does bird banding and bird conservation, rental cottage.
Birding "The Biggest Week In American Birding"; international birding event held in early May along the Ohio Lake Erie shoreline, major birding event.
LAKE ERIE HISTORY Lake Erie history, historical sites, and historical topics.
National Parks - PEVI Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial, South Bass Island, Seasonal April - October.
PEVI Support Organization The Perry Group, private foundation to support and promote the PEVI National Park.
Lake Erie Maritime HistoryPEVI support Lake Erie Heritage Foundation, works with The Perry Group to promote Lake history events.
State of Ohio History, War of 1812 State of Ohio War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission.
War of 1812 Replica Ship U.S. Brig Niagara, fully rebuilt replica of Commodore Perry's Flagship, Erie Maritime Museum , home port Erie, PA.
Great Lakes History National Museum of the Great Lakes, located on the Maumee River across from downtown Toledo.  Exhibits, Lake Freighter, programs.
Great Lakes History Bowling Green State University Historical Collections of the Great Lakes; research center and online database of ships, ports, navigation, and many more GL topics.
Great Lakes History Great Lakes Industrial History Center; Cleveland State University.
Local Lake Erie History Maritime Museum of Sandusky; local Lake Erie Maritime history.
Local Lake Erie History - Islands Lake Erie Islands Historical Society; located at Put-in-Bay.
Local Lake Erie History - Islands Kelleys Island Historical Association, located on Kelleys Island.
Local Lake Erie History Western Reserve Historical Society; history of Northeast Ohio.
Local Lake Erie History Fairport Harbor Marine Museum and Lighthouse; Fairport, Ohio.
Local Lake Erie History Great Lakes Marine and Coast Guard Memorial Museum; Ashtabula. Site was unavailable as of May 2017.
Shipping History Steamship William G. Mather Lake Freighter Museum Ship; Great Lakes Science Center, Cleveland.
Fort Megis Fort Megis website, rebuilt War of 1812 fort on the Maumee River at Perrysburg; fort, museum.
Books - Kelleys Island "THE EXTRAORDINARY HISTORY OF KELLEYS ISLAND."  Series of books on Kelleys Island history.  Author Leslie Korenko.
LAKE ERIE SHIPPING  
Commercial Shipping Lake Carrier's Association; represents U.S. flagged shipping on the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Ship Tracking Marinetraffic.com; shows positions and info of ships on Lake Erie, allows you to track ships of all kinds throughout the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Ship Tracking  Boat Nerd; shows positions and info of ships on Lake Erie, allows you to track ships of all kinds throughout the Great Lakes.
Great Lakes Ship Tracking Vesseltracker.com; positions and info of ships on Lake Erie, track ships of all kinds throughout the Great Lakes; must have an account.
Toledo Port Authority The Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority; Toledo Lake Port shipping and development administration.
Maritime Career Education pre-college level Maritime Academy of Toledo; Maritime-Themed Diploma-Based Public School, Grades 5-12 Middle/High School, Toledo.
Maritime Career Information U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration; information on becoming a Lake Freighter Merchant Mariner, Academies.
Maritime Career Information Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, MI.  College / Trade level education for those seeking jobs in the Maritime trades.
Maritime Career Credentialing U.S. Coast Guard; issues credentials to fully qualified mariners.
VIDEO Various videos on Lake Erie and related Lake Erie topics.
30 second Lake Erie underwater video Our YouTube clip showing walleye & smallmouth bass, LE water snake, more.
"Life Under The Lake" Feature Video Outdoor Ohio web site July 2008 feature video on YouTube.  Narrated Lake Erie underwater video and more.  Audio doesn't always work on this YouTube video.
AVIATION  
Lake Area Aviation weather forecast Air Sports Net site, Toledo; weather, wind speeds, all aviation info.
Lake Erie Area Aviation Information Airport-data site; interactive map of Lake Erie area airports / runways, public and private, information on all, including photographs.
Lake Erie Area Aviation Information AirNav.com; lists airports/runways public/private near Lake Erie Islands area, lots of information, photographs. Search zip 43452
Lake Erie Area Aviation Information AirNav.com Erie-Ottawa International Airport (Port Clinton) page.  All the info you need for flying to/from this airport.
Lake Erie Area Aviation Information Travel Lake Erie site; list of area airports and flying services.
Port Clinton Airport Website for Erie-Ottawa County Regional Airport, Port Clinton.
South Bass Island Airport (Put-in-Bay) Website for South Bass Island, Put-in-Bay, airport.
Kelleys Island Airport Website for Kelleys Island airport.
Griffing Flying Service General air travel from Port Clinton to South, Middle, North Bass Islands; Rattlesnake, Kelleys, and Pelee Islands.
Island Air Taxi Air service to South, Middle, North Bass Islands; Kelleys Island and Port Clinton.  Based at South Bass Island airport.
GENERAL INFORMATION  
Resources Great Lakes Information Network; information relating to the binational Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region of North America, part of the Great Lakes Commission.  Environment, Economy, Education (including Home Schooling), Tourism, Maps, more.
Resources Great Lakes Commission; International agency for the development, use and conservation of the natural resources of the Great Lakes basin and St. Lawrence River.
US Navy ship USS Lake Erie CG 70 Official US Navy website for USS Lake Erie CG 70, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser.
US Navy ship USS Oliver Hazard Perry FFG 7 Navsource Online, information on decommissioned US Navy ship USS Oliver Hazard Perry FFG 7.  Scrapped April 2006.
Lake Erie / Great Lakes Related Art  
Great Lakes Marine Artwork Lakeart.com; Chris Wilson artwork, specializing in Great Lakes marine paintings.  Primary medium is watercolor.  Prints, original paintings, commission work.  Site also has other Great Lakes info such as a variety of photos, webcams, and products.
Lake Erie Art Unfortunately as of May 2017 we haven't found a good Internet source for Lake Erie Art.  So we're creating one soon...

If you know of a site that would be of significant interest to our visitors, let us know:

Dave Cremer -    No direct e-mail link provided to avoid issues with automatic website data collectors.