The Great Lakes are one of the best boating destinations in the U.S., and this freshwater inland region is full of unique towns, beautiful landscapes, abundant fish life, and spectacular vistas. Each lake comes with its own unique charm as well. Lake Erie is an excellent lake for boat rentals and water recreation, and you can experience the lake from many destinations, either on the US or Canadian side. Rent a boat on Lake Erie with Getmyboat and have an amazing day on the water.

About Lake Erie

Lake Erie is the shallowest of the Great Lakes, the smallest by volume, and the second smallest by surface area. It is bordered by four states—Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, as well as by the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a major source of electric power for the nation of Canada, with much of the power coming from the hydroelectric dam at Niagara Falls. Erie has the least amount of undeveloped coastline of all the Great Lakes. It can be entered from the west through Lake St. Clair, which connects Lake Huron to Lake Erie. From the east, it connects to the Erie Canal through the Niagara Falls area, which skirts between the scenic Finger Lakes wine country to the south and Lake Ontario to the north.

Types of Boats to rent on Lake Erie

As the shallowest and southernmost of the Great Lakes, Erie is also the warmest. You can enjoy almost all watersports here during the summer months. Rent canoes, kayaks, or stand up paddleboarding (SUP) on Lake Erie to get some exercise while you explore the Lake.

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Want to cruise by wind power? Sailboat rentals are available on Lake Erie. Book a sailing charter or tour of the lake with a captain to cruise with you on this vast body of water. It's a wonderful way to see more of the coastline and explore without the noise of the motor in a speedboat.

For visitors who like to fly on the water at high speed, jet skis rentals on Lake Erie are a good choice. Rent a jet ski for as little as $80/hour and enjoy the adrenaline rush as you zip across the lake.

The resort areas of Lake Erie have a number of tourism boat tours and rentals, including glass-bottomed tours, banana boats, and parasailing. This region of the country is also excellent for pontoon rentals, which are slow but stable – perfect for on-board picnics and barbecues.

Boating on Lake Erie

With warmer water, a long naval history, ample fish supply, and an enormous coastline, there’s no limit to the kinds of opportunities you can try here. Sailing and windsurfing are popular events, as the winds on Erie can be quite strong. Waterskiing, tubing, and other high-speed tows behind sports are equally popular. Quieter activities are wonderful, like fishing and paddling. In the wintertime, you might see the occasional ice boat with sled runners and a sail. Yachting and multi-day cruising are also popular and easy to do with such an expansive coastline. Finally, there is a small dive community that can point you to some amazing underwater wrecks that span centuries of history.

Fishing Lake Erie

If fishing is a passion of yours, Lake Erie is an ideal spot with both commercial and recreational fishing industries. Common fish species include bass, perch, alewife, walleye, carp (including naturalized goldfish!), and pike. Rent a fishing boat on Lake Erie or book a fishing charter to catch fish and have a fun day on the lake. Both day fishing and multiday trips are available options. It’s also easy to combine a tour of the coastline with several days of fishing.

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Whether you are looking for quiet, residential waters or opportunities to explore Lake Erie’s coastal wildlife, there are boating experiences for you. Across all the towns and sections of the coast, there are different activities to explore and enjoy. Lake Erie is a convenient drive from many Midwestern and Northeastern towns and makes for a relaxing summer vacation.


Ready to rent a boat on Lake Erie? No matter which city you're accessing the lake from, we can help you find the perfect boat rental or charter on Getmyboat to see Lake Erie in style.