Learn about an oft-overlooked treasure with this roundup of fun facts and figures about our lovely Lake Erie.
If you ask us, all five of the Great Lakes are, well… great! But when it comes to attention from tourists and outsiders, Lake Erie simply doesn’t get the attention that our more “popular” bodies of water do. And though it might not have the shoreline mileage of Lake Huron and Lake Michigan or the abundant natural attractions of Lake Superior, it’s still spectacular—and there are a few fun Lake Erie facts you should know before qualifying yourself as a true-blue Michigander.
1. It freezes fast when temperatures drop
You’ve probably seen frozen portions of Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Superior, and Lake Ontario, but did you know that Lake Erie is the Great Lake most likely to fully freeze over during the winter months? That’s because of its relatively shallow depths. At its deepest point, the lake is only 210 feet deep, compared with 922 feet for Lake Michigan and more than 1,300 feet for Lake Superior. Regardless of its depth, you still shouldn’t walk on a frozen lake without proper equipment or training.
2. It was a hotspot during Prohibition
You’ve heard stories about alcohol smugglers moving shipments across the frozen Detroit River, but Lake Erie also played a role in the mischief and mayhem. So-called “rum-runners” frequented Lake Erie as a route from Canada to the United States, sometimes traveling in boats equipped with high-powered airplane engines to deliver bootleg booze to cities like Detroit. Who knows—perhaps your grandparents or great-grandparents enjoyed an illegal drink that made its way across Lake Erie!
3. It’s a graveyard for ill-fated ships
Shipwreck and maritime history enthusiasts surely know that the Great Lakes are a hotbed for finding the remains of sunken ships, but Lake Erie is believed to have the highest concentration of wrecked boats of all Michigan’s bodies of water. This is due in part to its shallowness and propensity for dangerous storms, making it a somewhat more dangerous passageway for vessels. While few have been identified or recovered, some experts believe that between more than 1,000 and 2,000 ships are resting at the bottom of Lake Erie. Talk about eerie… or should we say Erie?
4. It has its very own legendary sea monster
You’ve heard of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, but are you familiar with Bessie? Sometimes called South Bay Bessie, this legendary serpent-like creature is said to swim the waters of Lake Erie and extend for anywhere from 30 to 40 feet. Reported sightings of Bessie date back to the 18th century, when a snake-like creature was first spotted in the area. Some scientists believe “Bessie” could actually be a large sturgeon or other marine animal, but true believers insist that Bessie lurks below the surface. Have you spotted her?
5. Its name has Indigenous roots
As with many meaningful names in our state, Lake Erie is named for a group of Indigenous people—the Erie—who lived in the Great Lakes region for generations before the arrival of Europeans. More specifically, the Erie were concentrated near the southern shoreline of modern-day Lake Erie, where they resided until settlers displaced them in the 17th century. “Erie” is said to translate roughly to “long tail” in the Iroquois language.
6. It’s warmer than its counterparts
We all know the thrill and mild fear that comes with dipping into a chilly Great Lake for our first swim of the season each year. Lakes aren’t for the faint of heart, especially before they “warm up” in the summer—but Lake Erie is something of an exception. Because of its shallowness, Erie is considered the warmest of the Great Lakes, even reaching recorded temperatures of over 80 degrees during the hottest days of August. Sounds pretty pleasant to us!
7. It’s almost overflowing with fish
Okay, okay—“overflowing” might be an exaggeration, but Lake Erie is the widely considered most biologically diverse of its group, with some estimates stating that it contains over 50% of all fish in the Great Lakes as a whole. It’s perhaps most known for its abundance of walleye (with some scientists estimating there are around ten million walleye in Lake Erie—yes, million). If you’re a fan of freshwater fishing, you’ll find everything from yellow perch to bass and catfish in the lake.
8. It touches four states and two countries
Most folks know that Lake Erie borders Michigan and Ohio and reaches across to Canada, but did you know that residents of other states get to enjoy its splendor, too? In addition to Michigan and Ohio, Erie also touches the southern edge of Pennsylvania and the eastern edge of New York. We love thinking about how this brilliant body of water connects nature enthusiasts from so many reaches of North America, offering beachfront fun and beautiful views for thousands.
