Are there areas to anchor off in any of the Michigan harbors on Lake Michigan?

[MonacoMike]

Are there areas to anchor off in any the Michigan harbors on Lake Michigan south of Traverse City and not stay in a slip? I am not asking about anchoring on the lake. MM

 

[Sum Escape]

Almost any harbor with a lake has a reasonable anchorage area. Heading south you have S Manitou Island off Leland, Frankfort, Arcadia Lake, Portage Lake, Pentwater, White Lake, Muskegon Lake, Spring Lake, Pigeon Lake, Lake Macatawa (Holland) all have spots. Have fun...season is getting short now....

 

[Woody]

Almost any harbor with a lake has a reasonable anchorage area. Heading south you have S Manitou Island off Leland, Frankfort, Arcadia Lake, Portage Lake, Pentwater, White Lake, Muskegon Lake, Spring Lake, Pigeon Lake, Lake Macatawa (Holland) all have spots. Have fun...season is getting short now....

That's for sure, seems like I just put it in the water. The window for runs on the lake are getting narrower. I hate to say it but I'll be out by 10/3.

 

[ppkaprince98]

You mean just outside the swim areas off the beachs around the piers? There are many places, (going from North to South) Ludington, Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, Saugutuck, South Haven...

 

[MonacoMike]

I was not sure if they allowed that or where they allow it. MM

 

[330DA]

You can go to the lakeland boating webiste, and click on the Cruising Guides for Lake Michigan. A list of marinas up and down the lake and map will pop up. Click on the city you want and a bunch of info will come up. You can buy the book, too.

 

[MonacoMike]

You can go to the lakeland boating webiste, and click on the Cruising Guides for Lake Michigan. A list of marinas up and down the lake and map will pop up. Click on the city you want and a bunch of info will come up. You can buy the book, too.

I have the book. This question is specific to anchoring and not being in a slip or marina. I double checked and saw no reference to sites to anchor off in the book or on the charts. So i can just drop an anchor anyplace I think seems nice, as long as it is not marked? MM

 

[SeaScaper]

I have the book. This question is specific to anchoring and not being in a slip or marina. I double checked and saw no reference to sites to anchor off in the book or on the charts. So i can just drop an anchor anyplace I think seems nice, as long as it is not marked? MM

I too would like to know but for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Is there a website or map that shows where on can anchor off overnight with being in a slip?

 

[MonacoMike]

I too would like to know but for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Is there a website or map that shows where on can anchor off overnight with being in a slip?

I assume you meant without not with. MM

 

[Woody]

As long is your not blocking shipping lanes, canals, etc and not in an area where it is specifically prohibitted or specifically designated you should be able to anchor out anywhere although you might not want to for other reasons.

 

[tracyadams]

Great area in Muskegon is inside the Breakwater "arms" on the south side. Large area of flat calm water anywhere from 4-10 feet deep. Done that many times. In there you are not blocking channel or shipping lanes. Do remember to run your all around white light from dusk to dawn to stay legal. Enjoy!

 

[KayKook]

You can also anchor in Snug Harbor on Muckegon Lake by the State Park launch ramp. Much calmer and quieter than inside the arms.

 

[surfinjoe]

If you are near Manistee you always have Portage lake. Nice and deep easy in/out. The Manistee inlet has a nice big area by the breakwall.

We were in Grand Haven yesterday. Spring lake has a lot of fingers, but some of them are really shallow so use your charts and chart plotter/depth finder.

 

[surfinjoe]

On St. Clair, we just find a calm and shallow spot and drop the hook. Muscamoot bay is very popular, but shallow. You can't be one of those boaters that is afraid of running your boat in 3' of water.

I too would like to know but for Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair. Is there a website or map that shows where on can anchor off overnight with being in a slip?

 

[1956olds]

Dont know of a website ,mabey an i phone app should be created.It would be nice to find new places to anchor out near towns with daily dockage,32.00 per night is not cheap with the price of gas being so high.Most water front towns have free or cheap daily dockage rates.