Recreational Boating on the Great Lakes Published in conjunction with the Monthly Bulletin - July 1998. Return to the Levels Home Page. Return to the Detroit District Home Page.
Small waves lap at the boat as seagulls circle overhead, awaiting the opportunity for a quick lunch.
The jammed public access launch makes it difficult to maneuver amongst the catamarans and other pleasure craft. After a few initial sputters, the engine roars to life and we begin our afternoon adventure. We are not alone. The Great Lakes region is home to a vast and growing recreational boating community. As shown in the figure below, the State of Michigan alone issued 800,000 recreational boating permits in 1997, over 54,000 more than just 3 years ago.