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Catawba Island State Park
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State Park Information |
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Catawba Island State Park
4049 E Moore’s Dock Rd
Port Clinton
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State Park Overview |
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Nature of the Area |
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Limestone cliffs, historic wineries, crystal caverns and a shimmering Great Lake greet visitors to the Lake Erie Islands state parks. These five state parks offer unique island retreats with an atmosphere both festive and casual. Fishing, boating and swimming can be enjoyed at each park.
Several parks comprise the Lake Erie Island group. The islands were formed during the glacial period when massive ice sheets entered Ohio. Glaciers gouged and scoured the bedrock their tremendous weight left deep depressions which filled with meltwater, forming the Great Lakes.
Lake Erie, the smallest of the Great Lakes, is shallow--allowing for violent storms with high waves. The lake is divided into three basins. The western basin has an average depth of 25 to 30 feet the central basin averages 61 feet and the eastern basin shows an average depth of 120 feet.
Lake Erie has high nutrient levels and warm temperatures which produce greater numbers and varieties of fish than any other Great Lake. Annual catches nearly equal the combined catch of all other Great Lakes. Yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and walleye are dominant species.
The islands are composed of limestone bedrock. Small scratches in the rock surface known as glacial striations are common while major grooves such as those found at Kelleys Island are rare but awesome. Vast stands of red cedar and the presence of underground caverns, both associated with limestone are found here. The islands and shoreline support a variety of reptiles including the states highest concentration of the harmless fox snake. The timber rattlesnake was at one time quite prevalent on the islands but is now gone from the area. Rattlesnake Island was so named due to the presence of this reptile years ago.
Migrating songbirds rest here before winging across the lake. Hundreds of different species have been identified, making this one of the best birdwatching areas in the country. Several nesting pairs of the magnificent bald eagle are located in the area. |
History of the Area |
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Prior to the War of 1812, the Lake Erie Island region had been occupied by Ottawa and Huron (Wyandot) Indian tribes at different times throughout the years. A testimony to their existence on the islands is carved in Inscription Rock on Kelleys Island. Pictographic writings over 500 years old are etched in this massive limestone boulder.The Ottawa and Huron were eventually moved out by European settlers. The War of 1812 ended the last Indian threat to the European settlement of Ohio. One decisive naval battle of that war was fought in Put-In-Bay, off the shores of South Bass Island. Oliver Hazard Perry with an inferior fleet defeated the British making famous his saying, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." The victory gave the Americans control of Lake Erie and led to the ultimate defeat of the British in that war.
The islands remained sparsely settled until 1854 when J.D. Rivers purchased five of the islands. At first he turned Put-In-Bay into a sheep ranch, having at one time a herd of 2,000, but eventually he converted the island into a fruit farm. Despite the extreme northern location, the islands have the longest frost-free period of any area in Ohio due to the stabilizing effect of the lake.
It soon became apparent to islanders that the cultivation of grapes was very profitable. The grape culture has had a dramatic influence on the islands, sometimes called the "Wine Islands." By 1887, more than one-third of the grape product and nearly one-half of the wine product of the entire state was credited to this area. Wines from these islands were once pronounced by the best judges as being comparable to the best productions of France. Several island wineries still exist today.
In addition to raising fruits, the islands supported other profitable industries. Logging of red cedar, quarrying for limestone and the propagation of fish provided additional means of support.
For over a century, South Bass Island has been famous as a summer resort. Ruins of the Victory Hotel, destroyed by fire in 1919, are still evident. Tourism thrives today making the islands one of the most popular vacation spots in the state. The five areas comprising Lake Erie Island state parks were added to the state park system in the early 1950s. |
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More Info | |
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Area Attractions |
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Several other state parks are near the Lake Erie Islands. Crane Creek State Park, west of Port Clinton, is one of the states foremost birding areas and is notable for its spring and fall bird migrations. East Harbor State Park on Marblehead Peninsula sports the largest campground in the Ohio state park system. Swimming, picnicking, boating and fishing are popular at East Harbor. Marblehead Lighthouse, built in 1821, is the oldest lighthouse in continuous operation of the Great Lakes and Ohios 73rd state park. It is located off S.R. 163 on the east side of the Village of Marblehead.
State nature preserves located in the area include Sheldon Marsh, Old Woman Creek, Erie Sand Barrens and DuPont Marsh. Contact the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves for more information.
The Ottawa County Visitors Bureau is an excellent source for travel options and ideas all around the Lake Erie Islands area. |
Area Campgrounds | | Chet's Place Inc
7154 West Harbor Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 898-1104
| Paradise Acres Camp Grounds
4225 N Rider Rd
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-6411
| Floro's Camping
3585 N State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-6220
| River Bend Campground
7490 W State Route 163
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-3402
| Portageview Campground
265 S Meachem Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 635-4479
| Erie Island Resort & Marina
4495 W Darr Hopfinger Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-9117
| River Retreat Campground
3830 West Harbor Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 635-2472
| Tall Timbers
340 S Christy Chapel Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-3938
| Sunset Shore Campground
1745 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-5186
| Catawba Island State Park
4049 E Mooresdock Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 797-4530
| Family Camping Ctr
2318 East Harbor Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-5580
| Beachfront Rentals
252 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-6684
| Shade Acres
1810 NW Catawba Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 797-4681
| Hillside Park of Clinton
2534 W Comet Rd
Clinton, OH
(330) 882-5678
| Hank's Place Campground
2350 Danbury Station Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-5282
| Breakers Express-Cedar Point
Cedar Point Dr
Sandusky, OH
(419) 609-3800
| Cedar Point
1 Cedar Point Dr
Sandusky, OH
(419) 627-2350
| Crystal Rock Campground
710 Crystal Rock Ave
Sandusky, OH
(419) 684-7177
| Bayshore Estates Campground
2 E Shoreway Dr
Sandusky, OH
(419) 625-7906
| Camp Sandusky
3518 Tiffin Ave
Sandusky, OH
(419) 626-1133
| Cold Creek Trout Camp
4711 Venice Rd
Sandusky, OH
(419) 621-7900
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Area Fishing Related Businesses | | Fisherman's Wharf
83 Madison St
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-9002
| Sassy Sal Charters
40 Jefferson St
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-7755
| Shore Nuf Charters
247 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-2958
| Drawbridge Marina
247 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-4422
| Sandy Shore Variety Store Inc
215 Meigs St
Sandusky, OH
(419) 626-1291
| Pipe Creek Marina
2312 River Ave
Sandusky, OH
(419) 621-1111
| C & J's Bait Shop
235 E Shoreline Dr
Sandusky, OH
(419) 609-3601
| Sunnybrook Conference Ctr
1104 Fremont Ave
Sandusky, OH
(419) 625-8353
| Captain Hook Sport Fishing Charters
503 Scheid Rd
Sandusky, OH
Unverified listing
| Brands Dry Dock Marina
315 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-9753
| A-N-J Bait & Tackle
6797 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 635-4436
| Rickard's Bait & Tackle
17 NE Catawba Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-2496
| Fenwick Marina
10195 W State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-7009
| Herb's Sportsman's Supply
1713 NE Catawba Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 797-2455
| Port Clinton Fisheries Inc
2 Madison St
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-3101
| Fishermens Trading Post
255 Se Catawba Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-2076
| Happy Hooker Bait Store
9688 W State Route 2
Oak Harbor, OH
(419) 898-9676
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Area Resorts and Lodging | | Kalahari Resort Convention Center
7106 Milan Rd
Sandusky, OH
(419) 626-4386
| West Bay Inn
1230 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 746-2597
| Shores Condominium Resort The
1801 E Perry St
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-2169
| Clarion Inn-Sandusky
1119 Sandusky Mall Blvd
Sandusky, OH
(419) 625-6280
| Kalahari Resort
7000 Kalahari Dr
Sandusky, OH
(419) 433-7200
| Johnny's Resort Incorporated
3942 W Oliver Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-6566
| Scrappin' at Country Corner
3872 Harbor Light Landing Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-1616
| Beach Cliff Lodge
4189 NW Catawba Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 797-4553
| Beachfront Resorts
252 W Lakeshore Dr
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 732-6684
| Char-Nel Shores Resorts
2327 E Sand Rd
Port Clinton, OH
(419) 734-3356
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Use Mapquest and the address provided below to create a custom set of directions from your location to the Park
Catawba Island, 4049 E. Moores Dock Road, Port Clinton, OH 43452 |
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Catawba Island State Park
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