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Tourism
in the Great Lakes Region
What's New |
Overview |
General Resources |
Agencies & Organizations
Laws |
Publications |
Research |
Discuss
What's New
EDITORIAL: Managing lakes calls for patience The Saginaw News (5/8) From Sebewaing to Saugatuck to Sault Ste. Marie, the question is always the same: Where did all the water go?
Ohio launches site to promote Lake Erie shipwrecks The Plain Dealer (5/5) The state just launched a Web site that details 28 of the 277 known shipwrecks in Lake Erie.
It's time for bass catch, release Detroit Free Press (4/27) This is the second year for the experimental catch-and-release season in the Detroit area, which is designed to measure how such fishing affects populations and sizes.
Wind farms generating energy may boost Michigan's economy The Detroit News (4/22) They stand like giant white pinwheels on the horizon, 32 of them towering 40 stories over the flat farmland in this tiny township in the Thumb, about 10 miles from the Saginaw Bay.
New Lakeshore plans unveiled Leelanau Enterprise (4/22) The National Park Service has put together four alternative plans to guide the future of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
West Michigan Underwater Preserve would feature Lake Michigan shipwrecks Gazette News Service (4/21) About 8,000 ships have become wrecked in the Great Lakes, and a new Preserve would ensure the survival of those in West Michigan.

Overview
Outdoor recreation in the Great Lakes region is a way of life. The Great Lakes offer outstanding tourism and recreation opportunities, ranging from pristine wilderness activities in national parks such as Isle Royale and Pukaskwa to waterfront beaches in major cities. A well-defined four-seasons climate supports many types of recreation from ice fishing, skiing and snowmobiling in the winter to golf, fishing, boating and swimming in the summer. The eight Great Lakes states have about 3.7 million registered recreational boats, or about a third of the nation's total. Michigan and Minnesota lead the nation in the number of boat registrations, and six Great Lakes states rank in the nation's top ten in total number. The commercial and sport fishing industry is collectively valued at more than $4 billion annually. Diving on shipwrecks is a growing Great Lakes sport, thanks to many underwater preserves and parks throughout the lakes. Off Lake Superior's Whitefish Point, better known to sailors as the "graveyard of the Great Lakes," it is said that more than 300 ships have been lost to Superior storms. For people who don't dive, the shipwrecks can be studied at many of the maritime museums throughout the region.

General Resources
The Great Lakes Circle Tour Ride along on the 6,500-mile Great Lakes Circle Tour: a scenic, international road system connecting the five Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River! For new visitors to the region, this online travel guide offers informational maps, road routes and estimated mileages, and links to major cities, camping and recreation areas, and natural attractions.
GreatLakesLodging.com Find lodging, travel and vacation information on the various regions around the Great Lakes. Read about current weather conditions, events and helpful maps for planning your trip.
The Great Lakes of North America This industry web site provides information on tourism in the Great Lakes region, industry news, a photo gallery, and information on each U.S. state and Canadian province in the region.

Laws
Travel Tips Government of Ontario Travel Tips, including custom and duty information, to make your Ontario visit more enjoyable.
Traveler Information U.S. Customs Service Official information for foreign nationals traveling to the United States including merchandise restrictions, visa requirements, and more.

Publications
Lake Superior Magazine The magazine about the world's largest freshwater lake and the people who live and visit there.
Midwest Living Featuring travel, dining, home & garden and shopping in the Midwest.
Outdoor Illinois Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) A subscription magazine about he Prairie State's great natural and cultural resources.
Outdoor Indiana Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Experiencing Indiana's valuable natural resources.
The Northern Michigan Journal Articles, reflections and news from and about northern Michigan.
Traverse Magazine Travel, events, dining and news from Up North.
Wild Ohio Ohio Department of Natural Resources Featuring Ohio's natural resources.
Wisconsin Natural Resources Magazine Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Articles and photographs featuring Wisconsin's natural resources.

Research
The Great Lakes, a Great Place! To live, to work, to visit Great Lakes Commission
Trends in Tourism Visitation - Duluth, Minnesota: 1980-1994 Minnesota Sea Grant

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