Fun at Bass Islands

Ever wake up on a morning that's perfect? A day with bright sunshine, perfect temperature, soft breezes redolent with honey locust blossoms, a day that begs you to go some place fun, someplace different, a spot where you can enjoy that perfect day with some fishing, maybe other outdoor sports, and your wife and kids can have a great time, too. Does Ohio have a place like that? Sure. They call it the Bass Islands. The Bass Islands lie like scattered green jewels in western Lake Erie, a cluster of high rising, rock cliffed, and rugged shorelined islands cloaked with maple, oaks, ash, and hackberry. They're just two or three hours away, but it's still amazing how many people have never been there. South Bass Island is the most popular of the cluster by far. It's easily reached via the Miller Ferry from the tip of Catawba Island at the end of Route 53. Another choice is to go by jet boat from downtown Port Clinton on the Jet Express, and there are occasional ferries from downtown Sandusky, too. The cost isn't bad, just $10, or so per adult for the short run on Miller's Ferry, or more per adult for the much longer trip from Port Clinton. The jet boat will take you right to downtown Put-In-Bay, while Millers drops you off on the other end of the island. There's always a bus waiting here, along with taxi's, rental bikes, and rental golf carts, or you can make a pleasant walk to the downtown area. What's to do on South Bass for fishermen? There's usually lively action on the South Bass State Park pier, trying for smallmouth, yellow perch, white perch, an occasional small walleye, sheepshead, and channel cats. Early or late is the best time, and I've caught all of the above there at one time or another. Kids might like to visit the ODNR's Aquatic Resource Center at the old fish hatchery, check out a spinning rod and fish right on the little boat dock there. Or those who want more serious fishing can hire a guide, or a rental boat and try for perch around Starve Island, Gibralter Island (north and west side), and other close and easy to reach spots. There's good camping here too, at the state park or at private campgrounds, and great biking along roads that see little traffic. For fun time, Put-In-Bay offers a lively nightlife at places like Heineman's Winery, the Beer Barrel Saloon with its "longest bar in the world", Frosties and other watering holes. And the ladies can shop along Delaware Ave. in places from the Misty Bay Botique to Harbor Square and the Country House. In-between, youngsters will burn up energy in De Rivera Park with its swings and kids things, or walk with you along docks lined with watercraft to feed ducks or talk to loafing sailors. A nice place with good restaurants, plenty of lodging for those who want to overnight, and more things to enjoy from visits to caves to a ride to the top of Perry's Monument where the Bass Islands spread out far below against blue water. Middle and North Bass Island aren't really for visitors, though the ODNR has a state park and marina on Middle Bass where the old Lonz Winery once was. They're mostly vineyards and a few residental homes, but Kelleys Island welcomes tourists and fishermen, and it has its own unique offerings. The island is reached by ferry from downtown Marblehead, and this 2- by 4-mile island is quiet and low key, far different from South Bass. It's a place to relax and recoup lost energies, to bike or walk past stately old homes, and look for bone white driftwood along wave swept beaches. Fishing can be good at Kelleys Island State Park and again, there's a nice fishing pier waiting Some shore fishing is available too, along with guide service, and those with their own craft will find good action on smallmouth along the shore, and walleye at Gull Reef and the Kelleys Island shoal. Camping is good at the state park and there's a nice little commercial area with restaurants, bars, some shopping, rental bikes and golf carts, and things for kids to do. But basically, it's a place to relax, to explore an old cemetery, roam blacktop roads and watch rabbits and pheasants feeding and moving at dawn and dusk. The final island of note is big Pelee Island, which belongs to Canada, can be reached by ferry from downtown Sandusky, and has its own offerings of B & B's, a little shopping, Canadian beer, and bargains of all kinds since the Canadian dollar is little more than half the American buck. Summer is a good time to see all of the islands, and that perfect day is coming. Call the Ottawa County Visitors Bureau at (800) 441-1271, ask any questions about fishing, camping, lodging, etc. then gather up the family and go. It's a unique spot, and worth a visit. Dick Martin, a freelance writer from Shelby, is a retired biology teacher who has been writing outdoor columns for more than 30 years. Reach him at richmart@neo.com. You also can visit his blog at outdoorswithmartin.com.