Lake Erie's Ontario north shore stretches from Fort Erie to Windsor — over 400 km of coastline with dozens of public launch sites. From the walleye-rich waters of Port Dover to the deep-water harbour at Port Stanley, here is your 2026 directional guide.
Lake Erie is the shallowest Great Lake. Westerly winds can generate 2-metre waves in under 60 minutes. Always check Environment Canada Marine Forecast for Lake Erie before launching. VHF Channel 21B carries Canadian Coast Guard marine forecasts. Small craft advisories are frequent spring through fall.
Public boat ramps along Ontario's Lake Erie shoreline, organized from east (Niagara) to west (Windsor). Check local authorities for current fees and conditions.
Lake Erie's average depth is only 19 metres — the shallowest of the five Great Lakes. This means waves build steeper and faster than on Superior or Huron. A southwest wind of 20 knots can produce 1.5–2 metre waves within hours. Always monitor:
Every motorized pleasure craft on Lake Erie must display its Pleasure Craft Licence (PCL) number on both sides of the bow: minimum 75 mm (3 inches) tall, block letters, colour contrasting to the hull. Ontario Conservation Officers and Coast Guard patrol Lake Erie regularly — faded or missing numbers result in citations.