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The following is a list of populated islands of the Great Lakes and connecting rivers. The islands listed have a specified year-round population of over 50 residents.
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Many islands are popular tourist destinations, and experience a sharp population increase during peak travel seasons.
In 2017, the Great Lakes Island Coalition was founded, a group dedicated to representing the interests of Great Lakes island residents. [1] At an annual summit, related issues of discussion include environmental issues facing the Great Lakes island inhabitants, such as water levels and quality, invasive species, and even government policy topics, such as nuclear water storage and shipment in the Great Lakes region. [2]
| Island Name | Lake/River | State/Province | Country | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Algonquin Island | Lake Ontario | Ontario | Canada | 224 | Part of the city of Toronto, this is one of the Toronto Islands, an archipelago in Toronto Harbour. Unlike most of the archipelago, which is made up of parkland and amusement facilities, this island is residential. |
| Amherst Island | Lake Ontario | Ontario | Canada | 450 | At 70 square kilometers, the largest island wholly within Lake Ontario (Wolfe Island is larger, but the eastern end of the island is in the St. Lawrence River). The island, which is served by a ferry out of Millhaven, is entirely rural, and is located in Loyalist Township, Lennox and Addington County. |
| Barrie Island | Lake Huron | Ontario | Canada | 613 | It is connected to Manitoulin Island by Highway 540A, which crosses the water via a causeway at the narrowest part of the strait. [3] |
| Beaver Island | Lake Michigan | Michigan | United States | 616 | The largest island in Lake Michigan and part of the Beaver Island archipelago of Michigan. [4] It lies about 32 miles (50 km) from the city of Charlevoix on the mainland, and can be reached by air or boat. St. James is the name of the unincorporated community on the island. [5] |
| Bois Blanc Island (Michigan) | Lake Huron | Michigan | United States | 100 | Southeast of Mackinac Island and almost due north of the city of Cheboygan, Michigan. Plaunt Transportation is the sole provider of ferry services for the island. [6] |
| Bois Blanc Island (Ontario) | Detroit River | Ontario | Canada | 60 | Previously the site of the Boblo Island Amusement Park. It is accessed by private ferry from Amherstburg, Ontario [7] |
| Cayuga Island | Niagara River | New York | United States | 1,000 | Part of the city of Niagara Falls, New York, several miles upstream of the falls themselves. Part of the LaSalle neighborhood, the island contains a mix of parkland and middle-class housing. |
| Centre Island | Lake Ontario | Ontario | Canada | 356 | The largest of the Toronto Islands, an archipelago located in Toronto's harbour. Most of the island's residences and businesses were demolished beginning in 1955 in favor of parkland and other recreational facilities. [8] |
| Drummond Island | Lake Huron | Michigan | United States | 973 | Consists of Drummond Township, Michigan. [9] The island lies along the Canada–US border, and is adjacent to Manitoulin Island. |
| Grand Island | Niagara River | New York | United States | 21,389 | A suburb of the city of Buffalo |
| Grosse Ile | Detroit River | Michigan | United States | 10,777 | The largest island in the Detroit River, it can be reached by two bridges or a small airport. |
| Harsens Island | St. Clair River | Michigan | United States | 900 | Opposite Canada's Walpole Island. It is served by Champion's Auto Ferry. |
| Kelleys Island | Lake Erie | Ohio | United States | 256 | Consists of the village of Kelleys Island, in Erie County |
| Mackinac Island | Lake Huron | Michigan | United States | 583 | An island and resort area, located between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas [10] |
| Madeline Island | Lake Superior | Wisconsin | United States | 302 | Contains the town of La Pointe. The island has a rich history and was once the home of a French fur trading post. [11] |
| Manitoulin Island | Lake Huron | Ontario | Canada | 13,255 | The largest island in a freshwater lake in the world. It has two incorporated towns and eight townships. [12] |
| Neebish Island | St. Marys River | Michigan | United States | 89 | There is one store and one church on the island, and a car ferry service operates April 1 to January 15. [13] |
| Pelee Island | Lake Erie | Ontario | Canada | 230 | The largest island in Lake Erie, [14] and is the southernmost populated place in Canada. [15] |
| South Bass Island | Lake Erie | Ohio | United States | 631 | Part of Ottawa County, it contains the village of Put-in-Bay. Ferry service connects the community with Catawba Island, Kelleys Island, Port Clinton, and Sandusky. [16] |
| St. Joseph Island | Lake Huron | Ontario | Canada | 2,320 | The second largest island in Lake Huron. It is connected to the mainland by the Bernt Gilbertson Bridge spanning the North Channel of Lake Huron along Highway 548. [17] |
| Sugar Island | St. Marys River | Michigan | United States | 2,000 | The entire island constitutes Sugar Island Township in Chippewa County at the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula. [18] |
| Walpole Island | St. Clair River | Ontario | Canada | 1,878 | Also known as Bkejwanong, it is the main part of Walpole Island 46 Indian reserve. It neighbors the U.S. Harsens Island. It is accessible by bridge from the Canadian mainland and ferry from the U.S. |
| Washington Island | Lake Michigan | Wisconsin | United States | 708 | Located about 7 miles northeast of the tip of Door Peninsula in Door County, Wisconsin. The unincorporated community of Detroit Harbor is located on the island. |
| Wolfe Island | Lake Ontario | Ontario | Canada | 1,400 | Located at the entrance to the Saint Lawrence River in Lake Ontario near Kingston, Ontario. The resident population is approximately 1400 people, but this number can double or triple during the summer months. [19] |
