Detroit River Island Discovery

[johndavidross]

I'm used to boating in norther Lake Saint Clair where there are islands to hang out on and some things to discover but now I'm moving downriver and was wondering if I'm allowed to go onto any of the islands that are scattered in the southern end of the river. I read that many of them are protected but does that mean that they are off limits to boaters?

One of the reasons that I like boating is to discover stuff like that.

Thanks!

 

[seaman-recruit]

Re: Detroit River Island Discovery

Hi B-fax. There's really only one island where people hang out which is Celeron Island (reference Google Earth for location). There's a beach area on the NW tip of the island where people hang out. Sugar Island used to be popular as well but is now part of the wildlife refuge and landing on the island is currently prohibited. Most boaters down here hang out on the hook and raft off at either of two spots. The first is called the "crossdike" or "rock wall" which is a 1/2 mile long piling off the Livingstone Channel due east of Sugar Island. Be aware that if you get too far east toward the freighter channel you will get into Canadian waters. The second area boaters hang out is called "Dunbar and Sullivan" which is a reference to the company that did the dredging work on the Livingstone Channel back in the day. Some of their old barges are still scattered in the bay where the boaters pull in. This is between the north end of the Livingstone Channel and the NE tip of Stony Island. There are a few more hangouts that are in Canadian waters but most of the US boaters avoid them due to procedure/documentation requirements to check in with Canadian Customs going there and then US Customs upon return. Have fun boating down here and welcome to the area.