Due to lakebed variations, waves may break strongly in some locations and weakly in others causing the water to converge in narrow, river-like currents moving away from shore. These are known as rip currents and can occur at any beach with breaking waves.

Rip currents do not pull people under the water; they pull people away from shore. The size and lakeward pull of rip currents varies. Drowning usually occurs when people panic and are unable to keep themselves afloat. Signs of rip currents can include a channel of churning, choppy water; an area of water of a different color; a line of algae or debris moving steadily offshore; or a break in the incoming wave pattern (waves usually do not break as readily in a rip current as in adjacent water).

Rip currents are more likely to form near beaches with a sand bar and channel system in the near shore. They can also occur when a water current traveling along the shore is interrupted by a structure such as a groin or jetty. Extra precaution should be taken when swimming near shore structures. If caught in a rip current, you will feel yourself being pulled away from the shore.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recommends taking the following actions:

• Remain calm to conserve energy and think clearly.
• Never fight the current. Instead, swim out of the current in a direction parallel to the shore or float/tread water until the current stops pulling you lakeward.
• When out of the current, swim at an angle away from the current toward the shore.
• If you are still unable to reach shore, draw attention to yourself by • waving your arm and yelling for help.
• If you see someone in trouble, get help from a lifeguard, or call 9-1-1; throw the victim something that floats and yell instructions on how to escape.

Learn more: NOAA National Weather Service Rip Current Safety

• Swim only in designated areas.
• Encourage children and those who are not strong swimmers to wear life jackets - especially while swimming during high wave action.
• Designate one person to remain on the beach to watch those who are swimming.
• Exercise caution since lakes may have unseen drop-offs in the lakebed.
• Take a cell phone to make an emergency call if necessary.
• Be aware of heavy wave action and strong currents.

Since 2006, the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, together with Ohio company Mondo Polymer Technologies Inc., has recycled more than 1 million pounds of boat shrink-wrap. Marinas save an average of $500 annually in reduced waste disposal costs. The recycled material has produced nearly 150,000 guardrail blocks, enough to line almost 200 miles of Ohio highway.

Learn more: www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/cleanmarinas/shrinkwrap

The Ohio Clean Boater Program is a proactive partnership designed to en-courage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio’s coastal and inland waterway resources clean. The basic goal of the program is environmental stewardship by making marinas and boaters more aware of environmental laws, rules and jurisdictions, and to get as many boaters as possible to follow best boater practices and to be designated as “Clean Boaters.”

Learn more: www.ohioseagrant.osu.edu/cleanboaters


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Recognizing this importance of trails to outdoor recreation and the rising popularity of canoeing and kayaking, various ODNR divisions collaborated to initiate the Ohio Water Trails Program. The program helps address the need for increased paddling access points and helps educate paddlers about hand-powered boating safety on Ohio’s waterways.

Over the past few years, the Ohio Water Trails program has evolved into a cooperative partnership between ODNR, various levels of government and non-profit conservation groups. The program promotes paddling routes that combine recreation with low-impact use. This is accomplished by designating waterways as State Water Trails and providing funding for site improvement and development; purchasing and installing access and hazard signage; and producing and distributing educational maps and brochures.

As if March 2010, Ohio has designated the following water trails: the Kokosing Scenic River, the Muskingum River, the East Sandusky Bay, and the Vermilion-Lorain. Additional Ohio Water Trails are being planned that will improve access to Lake Erie and its tributaries.

Learn more: http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/watertrails

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The following is a list of boat launch and/or transient/complimentary dockage sites located along Lake Erie’s tributaries and other lake-accessible waterways within Ohio's designated Coastal Management Area, (shown in orange on map to the left). Boat launches and docks that provide direct access to Lake Erie are noted on the appropriate access sites within the guidebook's ;county chapters.

Lake Erie’s tributaries also have many upstream locations for boating and paddling access. Paddling and recreational boating access locations are viewable on the Ohio Coastal Atlas use case map viewer for Ports, Harbors and Recreational Boating.

Additional information about carry-in Access for boating on Ohio’s streams for small boats such as canoes, kayaks and johnboats is available on the ODNR Division of Watercraft for river and stream access. (Main) (Northwest Region) (Northeast Region)

County
Waterbody


Lucas | Wood | Ottawa | Sandusky | Erie | Lorain | Cuyahoga | Lake | Ashtabula



Lucas County
Ottawa River
1. President Drive Boat Launch (Washington Township) - L
2. Belpre Drive Boat Launch (Washington Township) - L
3. Hammond Drive Boat Launch (Washington Township) - L

Maumee River
1. Promenade Park (Toledo) - L/D
2. Walbridge Park (Toledo) - L
3. Toledo Skyway Marina (Toledo) - D
4. International Park (Toledo) - L
5. Corey Street Boat Launch (city of Maumee) - L

Cooley Canal
1. Lucas County Cooley Canal Boat Launch (Jerusalem Township) - L



Wood County
Maumee River
1. Rossford Marina at Veteran’s Memorial Park (Rossford) - L/D
2. Maple Street Boat Launch (Perrysburg) - L
3. Louisiana Avenue Dock at Hood Park (Perrysburg) - D
4. Orleans Park (Perrysburg) - L



Ottawa County
Turtle Creek
1. Turtle Creek Access (Benton Township) - L

Toussaint River
No publicly accessible boat launch or dock site within Coastal Management Area

Portage River
1. Portage River Access (Erie Township) - L
2. Little Portage State Wildlife Area (Bay Township) - L
3. Port Clinton City Docks (Port Clinton) - D

West Harbor
1. West Harbor Public Boat Launching Ramp (Catawba Island Township) - L



Sandusky County
Sandusky River
1. Elliot Street Access (Fremont) - L



Erie County
Huron River
1. Huron Boat Basin and Amphitheatre (city of Huron) - D
2. Holiday Harbor Marina* (city of Huron) - L
3. Huron River Access (city of Huron) - L
* Privately owned facility that provides public boat access to river

Vermilion River
1. Harbour Town Municipal Boat Docks (city of Vermilion) - D
2. East Exchange Park (city of Vermilion) - D
3. McGarvey’s Landing (city of Vermilion) - D
4. South Street Boat Ramp (city of Vermilion) - L



Lorain County
Black River
1. Black River Wharf Boat Launch (city of Lorain) - L/D



Cuyahoga County
Rocky River
1. Rocky River Reservation (Lakewood) - L
2. Lakewood Port Authority (Lakewood) - D

Cuyahoga River
No publicly accessible boat launch or dock site within Coastal Management Area



Lake County
Chagrin River
1. Eastlake Port Authority (Eastlake) - L

Grand River
1. Robert “Buck” Benson Memorial Public Docks (village of Grand River) - D
2. Olive Street Transient Dock Access (village of Grand River) - D
3. Bucky Rutherford Memorial Park (village of Grand River) - D
4. Grand River Landing (Fairport Harbor) - L



Ashtabula County
Ashtabula River
1. Ashtabula Transient Docks (city of Ashtabula) - D
2. Ashtabula Recreation Unlimited (ARU)* (city of Ashtabula) - L
* Privately owned facility that provides public boat access to river

Conneaut Creek
No publicly accessible boat launch or dock site within Coastal Management Area

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Fishing opportunities abound on Lake Erie. The ODNR Division of Wildlife records Lake Erie fishing information weekly. The report is available online and by calling 1-888-HOOKFISH.

Fishing regulations including daily bag limits for sport fish caught in Ohio’s Lake Erie waters are available by selecting “Fishing” and then “Fishing Regulations” on the Division of Wildlife’s website.

Hunting and trapping regulations are also available on the Division of Wild-life’s website by selecting “Hunting & Trapping” and then either “Hunting Regulations” or “Trapping Regulations.” Local communities may also have regulations regarding where firearms may be discharged including required offshore distances.

Most Ohio residents and visitors who are older than 16 will need the appropriate fishing/hunting/trapping licenses, permits, and/or stamps to participate in the activity in Ohio; however, certain exemptions may apply. Details about exemptions and licenses are online or can be obtained by contacting the Division of Wildlife: 1-800-WILDLIFE.

For recipes on preparing fish and game visit the WildOhio Cookbook.

To report fishing, hunting, trapping or other wildlife violation, call: 1-800-POACHER.


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Fish consumption advisories have been issued for certain Lake Erie fish species and locations in Ohio. The ODNR Division of Wildlife in cooperation with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) collects and analyzes samples of fish from Ohio’s portion of Lake Erie. Samples are routinely collected by Fairport Harbor and Sandusky Wildlife staff, and prepared according to a standard procedure. The samples are then frozen and shipped to OEPA for analysis.

The Ohio EPA examines the results of the tests and determines if restrictions are needed based on the Great Lakes risk assessment protocol for the consumption of fish by those most at risk (women of child-bearing age and children). The general trend shows that contamination levels have been decreasing considerably since a few decades ago. There are still several locations and several fish species that warrant special concern. Sport fish consumption advisories are periodically updated. The 2011 updated information is found online.

Learn more:
Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory – Overall Advice

Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory for Lake Erie
- PDF with pictures of fish and meals per month
Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory for Lake Erie Tributaries


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The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail is a state and federally recognized path for vehicle traffic that primarily follows roads closest to Lake Erie from Toledo to Conneaut. The trail links harbors, lighthouses, natural wonders, historical attractions, tourist destinations and scenic views of Lake Erie.

The National Scenic Byways Program within the U.S. Department of Transportation designates roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. Spurred by grass-roots initiatives, 150 routes have been designated America’s Byways® in 46 states. The Lake Erie Coastal Ohio Trail is one of only five nationally recognized Ohio byways. It was designated an Ohio State Scenic Byway in December 2004 and as a National Scenic Byway in the America’s Byways® program in September 2005.

Learn more:
U.S. Department of Transportation National Scenic Byways Program
Ohio Department of Transportation Lake Erie Coastal OhioTrail


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Ohio’s south shore sees ice fishing and across-ice snowmobiling, but there is no such thing as 100 percent safe ice. The following tips are useful for anyone who plays on water when it is frozen.

• Check for known thin ice areas with a local resort, bait shop or professional ice fishing guide.
• Test the thickness of ice with a chisel, ice auger or even a cordless 1/4-inch drill with a long bit.
  
  • 4 inches of new clear ice is the minimum thickness for travel on foot.
  • 5 inches is minimum for snowmobiles and ATVs.
  • 8 to 12 inches for cars or small trucks.
• Refrain from driving on ice whenever possible. If you must drive a vehicle, be prepared to leave it in a hurry. Keep windows down, unbuckle your seat belt and have a simple emergency plan that you have discussed with your passengers. Do NOT wear a flotation device when traveling across the ice in an enclosed vehicle.
• Do not “overdrive” your snowmobile’s headlight. It can take a much longer distance to stop on ice than your headlight shines. Many snow-mobile-through-ice accidents occur because the machine was traveling too fast for the operator to stop when the headlamp illuminated the hole in the ice. Wear a life vest under your winter gear, or wear one of a flotation suit designed for wearing on frozen lakes.
• Carry a pair of ice picks to help pull yourself back onto the surface if you fall through.

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