Gull Island Lake St. Clair
Credit: USCG

Although not considered a Great Lake, Lake Saint Clair is an important waterway of the region.

Lake Saint Clair is fed by Lake Huron via the Saint Clair River. The lake drains into Lake Erie via the Detroit River.

Before entering Lake Saint Clair, the Saint Clair River divides into several channels creating an area known as the Saint Clair Delta or Saint Clair Flats.

The largest river delta system in the world, the Saint Clair Flats include important habitats for fish and wildlife.

Dickenson, Harsens, Basset, Seaway, and Waypole islands and numerous islets are located on the low lying Delta.

Lake Saint Clair is bordered by Ontario Canada along its western and southern shorelines. The western and northern shorelines lie within the State of Michigan. The U.S. – Canada border divides the lake.

Smaller and shallower than the Great Lakes, Saint Clair provides a unique habitat for fish and wildlife. Several state wildlife areas are located along the lake.

The lake’s shallow water habitats sustain one of the premier sport fisheries in North America. Nearly a third of the entire annual Great Lakes sport fish catch occurs on the lake, according to the State of Michigan.

Navigational channels in Lake St. Clair accommodate two-way vessel traffic through the waterway. Maintained by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an improved channel 800 feet wide and 14.5 miles long extends from the lower end of the Southeast Bend Cut-Off Channel in the St. Clair River, to the Detroit River, all to a depth of 27.5 feet.

Lake St. Clair Old South Channel Front Light is a familiar landmark near the St. Clair River.

Near the headwaters of the Detroit River, Peche Island is a popular destination for recreation. The island-park is managed by the City of Windsor, Ontario.

Lake Saint Clair is often called the “Heart of the Great Lakes.”

Muscamoot Bay is known as a boating hotspot on Lake St. Clair. The area is a popular location for pleasure boaters to meet and congregate.

Jobbie Nooner is a famous event that is held twice a year on Gull Island in Muscamoot Bay. The 1st event is held the Friday before the 4th of July weekend and the second event is the 1st Saturday of September.

Related Information

Saint Clair River

Detroit River

Waterways