Middle Bass Island

Middle Bass Island is part of the Lake Erie Islands system. It is located in the center of Lake Erie, a couple of miles north of South Bass Island.

Get in

By boat

Ferries from the mainland originate from Catawba Island and arrive at 1 Middle Bass Dock. During the summer, ferries operate several times per day. There are also some scheduled trips during the spring and fall, as weather allows.

Middle Bass may be reached by pleasure boats, but it lacks the fine natural harbor found at South Bass. A new marina with more than 300 slips is planned to open soon, and 50 slips are available at the State Park.

A small ferry, the Sonny-S, takes passengers to/from nearby Put-in-Bay, a town on a nearby island with a grocery store and a few other services.

By plane

• 2 Middle Bass Island Airport. A small (2085 x 67 ft.) General aviation airport. No regular scheduled passenger flights, but some companies may let you charter flights to here. (updated Oct 2019)

Get around

Given the small size of the island, Golf carts are popular as transportation. Cars are permitted on island roads, though speed limits are low. Bikes are a common means of transportation and the island can easily be walked as well.

See

Lonz Winery

The Marina

• 1 Lonz Winery (near the ferry dock), ☏ +1 419 285 0311. F Sa 8AM-8PM, Su-Th 8AM-4:30PM. The former winery is a castle-like structure which is now part of the State Park. (updated Jul 2017)
• 2 East Point Nature Preserve. Shore-front nature preserve. Accessible by kayak. There is a walking trail. (updated Aug 2021)

Do

There are few scheduled activities on the small island.

• 1 Middle Bass Island State Park, 1719 Fox Rd, ☏ +1 419 285-0311. Offers camping, a marina, and wifi (updated Dec 2018)

Buy

• Aunt Erma's. Clothes and toys for the young. Also sells accessories (updated Nov 2018)
• 1 Middle Bass General Store. (updated Dec 2018)

Eat

• 1 J.F. Walleyes (near the ferry dock). Sa noon-midnight, Su 8AM-midnight, M 8PM-9PM, closed Tu W, F noon-9PM. Salads, sandwiches, burgers, and flatbreads. (updated Nov 2018)
• 2 Uncle Joe's Pizza (across from the post office), ☏ +1 419 285-2608. (updated Aug 2021)

Drink

Middle Bass Island is much less "touristy" than South Bass/Put-in-Bay, and has far fewer drinking establishments.

• 1 St. Hazard's Resort, 1233 Fox Rd, ☏ +1 419 285-6121. Offers a well-stocked tiki bar and microbrewery. Serves burgers, steak-and-cheese, fish sandwiches, pizza, and appetizers. Entertainment on weekends. (updated Nov 2018)

Sleep

Camping

• 1 Middle Bass Island State Park Campground, 1719 Fox Rd. Offers 21 camping sites that are available by reservation only. Camp sites are available from May to October, depending on weather conditions. Each camping sites has a fire ring and a picnic table. Showers are available in the harbormaster building. Toilets, electricity, and potable water are not available on-site. It is also possible to dock a boat overnight here. (updated Aug 2021)

Resort

• 2 St. Hazard's Resort, 1233 Fox Rd (on the east side of the island), ☏ +1 419 285-6121. Rents villas for up to six people and chalets for up to five people. For simpler accomodations, there are cabins with a shared separate bath house. Camping areas are also available. There is an outdoor pool and wifi. 

Connect

• 1 Middle Bass Post Office, 891 Fox Rd, ☏ +1 419-285-3200, toll-free: +1-800-275-8777. (updated May 2019)

Go next

A small ferry (Sonny S ) travels to Put-in-Bay/South Bass Island. This ferry only runs until 7PM on weekdays and Midnight on weekends.