Page 15 - Mid America Baoting - May 2024 issue

Water Trails is a
long paddler who grew up on the Lake
Erie shoreline.
“In the past, instructors have sched- bonus for kayakers
uled their own classes at the state park,
and some kayakers want to show off their on the North Coast
wide range of unique boats, from vintage
to the very latest in kayak technology.” By D’Arcy Patrick Egan
The most unique presentation is by
Patrick Forrester of Perrysburg, Ohio, who
designs and builds sails for sea kayaks. Lake Erie and its tributaries and harbors are 15 [ MID-AMERICA BOATING ]
Featured during his talk will be the perfect waters for paddling kayaks on Ohio’s
Forrester’s memorable trip to Ireland North Coast, and a major reason in recent
where he taught kayak sailing, which is years has been a proliferation of Water Trials
very popular around the Emerald Isle. established by the Ohio Department of Natural
The Friday Pot Luck Dinner on June 7 Resources (ODNR).
at the shelter near the entrance to South The plentiful waters are easy to access, the
Bass Island State Park kicks off the SBI fishing ranges from darned good to spectacular,

Kayak Rendezvous, and Slough insists it and while Lake Erie always beckons, the unique
is the best part of the weekend. Water Trails offer a lot of protected waters that MAY 2024
“We get groups of people from various allow paddlers to head out on windy days.
areas, such as Cincinnati and Detroit, Buckeye Sports Center expanded its range in The Water Trails established by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources around

and kayak fishermen who want to take 2023 by opening its Huron store (309 Lake Erie the Lake Erie Islands, East Harbor and West Harbor and the Portage River have
advantage of the amazing walleye and Parkway at Route 2) to complement its Peninsula received rave reviews. (Photo: Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

smallmouth bass fishing around the Lake operation, which had been a boating mainstay for
Erie Islands,” said Slough. “There are no more than 60 years. They had the foresight to add “promote the awareness of public paddling access while increasing safety by partnering with
‘safety’ paddlers or guides, though, so if a full line of top-shelf Hobie Pro Angler kayaks, local communities to develop designated Water Trails on Ohio’s waterways. The trails are
you are going to paddle out, be sure you said their kayak sales expert Bill Cristino. planned on the local level: Communities, user groups, park districts and more recommend

know your limits. Don’t push yourself or “At our Peninsula store we’ve seen the popular- existing access sites for a proposed trail,” said ODNR officials.

endanger other paddlers by joining on ity of fishing kayaks grow at lakes such as Nimis- The Water Trails along Ohio’s North Coast range from the Maumee River to the Cuyahoga
trips that exceed your level of expertise illa and the Portage Lakes, and felt the new Water River. The most unique is in the Lake Erie Island Region and Port Clinton. There are Water Trails
or comfort zone.” Trails established by the ODNR on the North around South Bass, Middle Bass and North Bass islands, as well as West Harbor and East
Of course, other than the nightly Coast would make a big difference at our Huron Harbor in the Marblehead area. The latest addition is the Portage River, extending from Oak

campfires, there is also the night life at store,” said Cristino. Harbor to Port Clinton.
Put-in-Bay on the north end of South “Of course so does the fantastic Lake Erie “Lake Erie boats are the focus at Buckeye Sports Center in Huron, and we have 10 different
Bass Island. The summer season will be walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass lines in order to accommodate boaters, no matter the size or style of the boat they’re seeking,”

in full swing, and the bars, restaurants fishing that is close to shore along Lake Erie, and said Cristino. “We also feature top of the line kayaks with our Hobie Pro Angler models, which
and hotels will be open. Visit millerferry. the expansion of launches and signage along the can features the unique Mirage Drive pedal, which makes kayaking easier than ever.
com or visitputinbay.com for coupons, local Water Trails.” “The patented Kick-Up Fins deliver care-free kayaking and logs, weeds, shallows and rocks
events and general information. MAB The goal of ODNR’s Water Trail program is to are no problem. A kayak angler can fish from sunrise to sundown with the Mirage Drive.” MAB