By: Lynne Clement

Kayaking along the shoreline of Lake Erie gives you a close-up view of the coves, waterfalls, cliffs and homes along Lake Erie’s coast in North East, PA and other towns along the lake. Discover the best spots to launch your kayak on Lake Erie and smaller inland lakes near Erie, PA.

Once you’re on the water, the fun begins. The sights, sounds and even the natural aroma of the lake bring an instant sense of peace. You don’t need to venture far from the shore to see the best sights. I like to stay about 20 to 30 yards from shore. If you’re lucky, you may see a bald eagle hunting from a tree perch or an osprey swoop down to dive bomb a fish. Keep your eyes open for herons, cormorants, gulls, and ducks. Not only is the shoreline where the action it, but staying closer to the shore also keeps you away from boat and jet ski traffic. If you like to fish from your kayak, go out about 100 yards from the shore on Lake Erie to catch bass.

Fun Fact: From Lake Erie’s southern coast, you can look north on a clear day and see Canadian buildings along the north coast. On a clear night if you look toward the horizon, you can see Canadian lights. The shortest distance across Lake Erie from the U.S. to Canada is only 24.3 miles. This distance is from North East, Pennsylvania to Long Point, Ontario.

A quick note about safety. Check fishandboat.com to comply with all rules of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. Typically, you must have one U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person, a sound producing device (e.g., a coaches whistle) and a handheld white light when kayaking.

To access Lake Erie with a kayak, you can launch from a public beach or use a boat ramp like the ones I’ll mention below. When deciding where to launch, consider how far you may have to carry or cart your kayak and the terrain. And prepare to get your feet wet. This is where a pair of water or athletic shoes (that you don’t mind getting wet) can be helpful, especially if your water entrance is stony or slippery.

Because Lake Erie can whip up big waves quickly, I recommend checking the marine forecast before you go out for the day. Only kayak on Lake Erie when the lake is flat. I’ve seen Coast Guard rescues here for kayakers who thought two-foot waves would be fun. It’s not. There are plenty of inland bodies of water nearby for kayaking when Lake Erie is not cooperating. Here are some of my favorite places to kayak below.

The North East Marina is located in North East, Pennsylvania, in Lake Erie Wine Country, just east of Erie, PA. The address is 11950 East Lake Road, North East, PA. Launching a kayak from here is quite easy. You can back your truck or trailer (or drive your car) right up to the boat launch, so you don’t have to carry your kayak far. There is ample free parking at this location. Drop your kayak at the launch, park your vehicle, and explore the Lake Erie coast.

When you’ve finished kayaking, stop at some of our local wineries to taste local vintages and fill your belly. Or check out Michael’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria or The Straw Hat Sundae Shoppe in North East, PA.

Shades Beach, in Harborcreek Township, Pennsylvania is also east of Erie, PA. The address is 7000 East Lake Road, Erie, PA. Launching from here is easy. Drive your vehicle to the boat ramp and unload so you don’t have to move your kayak far. This location has a sizeable public beach, a modern children’s playground, and rentable picnic pavilions to host larger family gatherings.

Lakeside Boat Launch in Lawrence Park, Pennsylvania is also east of Erie, PA. The address is Lakeside Drive, Erie, PA. What is unique here are the full coves about 1.0 to 1.5 miles east of the launch. As a landmark, the coves are located about in line with the oil cribs you’ll see out in the lake. Look for the archway along the shore for some unique photo opps.

Just 6.8 miles south of North East, PA, is a 246-acre reservoir and recreational area called Howard Eaton Reservoir or Bull’s Dam. This is a great place to kayak, and also walk, run, bike, fish, picnic, and horse ride). The water here is often flat when Lake Erie is not.

Look for the parking lot near the boat launch to deliver your kayak before parking. There are two parking lots here. You want the larger one. Once on the water, I typically paddle the length of the reservoir and return. There is no right or wrong way to navigate the reservoir. To be polite, stay clear of the fishing boats and give them ample room for their fishing lines.

As you can see in the image below, no homes or businesses surround the reservoir. There is a 3.3-mile unpaved trail around it. The vibe is nature. You could easily spend a day here kayaking, picnicking, fishing, and walking around the trail, which has benches and picnic tables along the way.

Findley Lake is a gorgeous inland lake about 14 miles south of North East, PA. The perimeter is populated with beautiful homes, cottages, and businesses. It’s quite picturesque. The launch ramp and a number of businesses and retail shops are at the north end of the lake. Stop at Krasa’s Kove on the “sunny side” of the lake for ice cream. I also recommend Alexander’s restaurant and bar at the north end of the lake. This casual bar and restaurant, with lake views, is the perfect way to end your day of kayaking. The mac n cheese and burgers are excellent.

Note that New York State regulates Findley Lake kayak laws and requirements. Please check the New York State requirements to launch here legally.

The most unique place I have kayaked is the Lagoons area of Presque Isle State Park. This is a manmade, inland series of waterways. The water is typically like glass. Unlike the above options, this is more like a water trail than an open lake. The flora and fauna are gorgeous. I’ve seen beaver dams, herons, and egrets. Public grills and picnic tables make this an excellent location to cook burgers and hot dogs when you’re done kayaking.

I highly recommend The Voyage Kayak Rentals in North East, PA. They will deliver and pick up your kayak rentals to your kayaking destination. They also offer transport service if you need your owned kayaks to be delivered and picked up for you. I often use their transport service for my kayaks.

Lynne Clement is the owner of Clement’s Lake Erie Cottages in North East, PA who loves to kayak in the Erie, PA area. When you stay at Clement’s Lake Erie Cottages you can launch your kayak from the private neighborhood Lake Erie beach.