
Lake Erie is the fourth-largest lake of the five Great Lakes in North America. It is the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume of the Great Lakes. The deepest area in Lake Erie is 210 feet.
Important rivers that feed Lake Erie include the Maumee, Sandusky, Cuyahoga, Grand (Ontario, CA), Grand (Ohio, USA), Ashtabula, and Buffalo.
Lake Erie’s primary inlet is the Detroit River. The natural outflow from the lake is into the Niagara River which passes over Niagara Falls before feeding into Lake Ontario.
The International Niagara Board of Control (INCW) oversees the annual installation and removal of an ice boom at the outlet of Lake Erie.
Some outflow occurs via the Welland Canal, part of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Welland Canal provides an important pathway for commercial ships from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario.
The smaller New York State Canal system connects Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, the Hudson River, and other destinations. The canal system is part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.
Located mainly in the western side of Lake Erie are 31 islands; 13 in Canada and 18 in the USA.
Several major American cities are located along the shoreline of Lake Erie, including Buffalo NY, Erie PA, Cleveland OH, and Toledo OH.
Lake Erie is one the busiest Great Lakes in terms of vessel traffic. From January through March, ice typically prevents ships and other vessels from navigating the lake.
Lake Erie is one of the top destinations in the Great Lakes region for fishing. The lake and its tributaries are known for their steelhead fisheries.
Walleye fishing is also popular. Lake Erie is the ‘Walleye Capital of the World’ according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
For decades, a series of aquatic invasive species have negatively impacted Lake Erie. Sea Lampreys nearly wiped out native fish populations before control efforts were successful.
Invasive zebra and quagga mussels transformed the lake, resulting in major changes to the eco-system. As invasive mussels took over large portions of the lake bottom, round gobies quickly became established. The round goby is one of the few species of fish that prey on invasive mussels.
Grass carp are another invasive species that could have negative impacts on Lake Erie native fish and wildlife. Grass carp activity has been detected in at least three Lake Erie tributaries; the Maumee, Sandusky, and Huron rivers.