What’s in Lake St. Clair and Is It Safe to Swim?

Very few things in life compare to the feeling of the cool, refreshing lake water of Lake St. Clair flowing over your body as the summer heat melts away. But no matter how amazing the water feels on your skin, there’s always that little thought: “Is this water safe to swim in?” Or even the age-old classic, “What the heck was that?” when you feel a fish brush up against your leg.

Even with lakes as beautiful as Lake St. Clair, these questions sometimes keep nagging at you. Don’t let the name fool you; this Lake St. Clair refers to the lake bordering Michigan and Ontario, not the lake in Tasmania, Australia! Lake St. Clair is one of the more well-known lakes in Canada, and despite being one of the most visited lakes in Ontario, the big questions remain. 

Is swimming in Lake St. Clair safe, and what would be swimming there with you? Come with us as we explore the shores of the majestic Lake St. Clair and determine if the freshwater is safe to swim in.

About Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair is considered one of the best lakes in Ontario, and it is not hard to see why! Lake St. Clair borders the great state of Michigan in the U.S. and Ontario, Canada. The lake measures 430 square miles and is 11 feet deep. It’s also considered one of Ontario’s busiest lakes based on the sheer foot traffic it receives yearly.

Although Lake St. Clair is not officially one of the Big 5, it’s still considered a top tier due to its historical background and fantastic location. The depth of these shores’ history is important, as Lake St. Clair was an important historical and cultural location in American history.

The lake is utterly unique, from the breathtaking view of the lake itself to its wonderful wildlife population. It’s also a well-traveled route for ships. As it borders Ontario and Michigan, many ships working in these areas often pass through Lake St. Clair’s shipping channel.

Hazards to Beware of at Lake St. Clair

Records of Lake St. Clair go back as far as 1679, and naturally, various kinds of hazards will pop up as time goes on. Changing and building new and different environments and introducing new chemicals has taken a toll on the lake over time.

From the introduction of harmful animals to chemicals that adversely affect the water, hazards are present when entering any large water body. The following are potential risks for Lake St. Clair:

• Polluted water: Although Lake St. Clair is regularly dredged and cleaned to help it remain a clean and fresh body of water, that was only sometimes the case. In the past, the water was contaminated by the area’s pollution. Over time, a solution has been made to combat pollution and clear the water. It’s important not to pollute the water and keep it as clean as possible when enjoying it.
• Flood Risk: Because Lake St. Clair is a body of water between beautiful Ontario and Michigan, it’s not surprising to know that there is a chance of flooding when exposed to excess rain. 
• Floodplain Loss: Floodplain is the flat land adjacent to the lake. When the lake floods, this land is affected. In some cases, the outcome can be good as the dregs from the lake can make the land very fertile. However, that is only sometimes the case, and in some instances, the floodplain can become unstable and risky for people to walk on, especially after a flood.

Is It Safe to Swim in Lake St. Clair?

Yes, it is perfectly safe to swim in Lake St. Clair. Truthfully, with the lake being dredged and cleaned regularly, the absence of weeds, and crystal-clear quality water, Lake St. Clair is the perfect place to go swimming.

From planned activities to fishing or relaxing alongside the water, Lake St. Clair is the perfect place to swim! Moreover, with such idyllic and picturesque water right before you, it would be hard to refrain from dipping in the refreshing water!

The Best Times to Visit Lake St. Clair

The best time to visit Lake St. Clair depends on what you want to get from your trip. There are various activities during the different seasons:

The warm seasons are the best times to enjoy outdoor activities, but it can be busy due to school breaks in the summer. Fall is a good time to relax on the lake, but the weather begins to turn, and it may be too cold to swim. However, you can still go walking, fishing, and bird watching.

Activities to Do at Lake St. Clair

Lake St. Clair is a hub of activity when you go in the right season! If you are in the area and are looking for something to do or a move to get immersed in, why not try the following:

• Kayaking: Although the water of Lake St. Clair is not very deep, it is a wonderful place to go kayaking. With clear waters and beautiful wildlife, kayaking in Lake St Clair is a unique experience.
• Tubing: Tubing is an exciting and extremely fun activity for those looking for an extra thrill! Water Skiing: Another great adventure is to try water skiing. With the proper pads and supervision, waterskiing could be the new activity of the summer!
• Fishing: Those looking for a little more of a serene or relaxing activity can engage in some fishing. Lake St. Clair has over 15 diverse kinds of fish you can catch, making it a terrific way for those looking to indulge in a little ‘me time.’ For fish like Musky, June is the ideal time to ‘reel in the big fish.’
• Swimming: Nothing beats diving in the beautiful waters and feeling the coolness on your skin. Swimming in the lake with loved ones is a fantastic way to beat the heat.
• Ice fishing: Lake St. Clair is a great place to go ice fishing! Because the water is more shallow, this makes it easier to get a catch.

What Kinds of Animals Live in and Around Lake St. Clair?

Such a large and idyllic lake is home to many different endangered species of both animals and fauna. The kinds of wildlife you will find surrounding Lake St. Clair are:

• Fish
• Birds
• Endangered species
• Mammals
• Reptiles

Fish

A large attraction for visitors is Lake St. Clair. So, if you want to enjoy fishing with your loved ones, you can expect to find the following kinds of fish:

• Musky: Musky is a predatory fish native to Northern America and can be seen swimming along the shores of Lake St Clair.
• Walleye: Walleye fish, also known as yellow pike, is native to Canada and can be located in the lake.
• Bass: Northern pike bass is one of Northern America’s most commonly found fish.
• Lake sturgeon: Lake sturgeon, also known as rock sturgeon, is a temperate fish found in freshwater.
• Yellow perch: The yellow perch is a perciform fish native to fresh waters in Northern America.
• The Northern pike is a predatory fish commonly found along the Northern Hemisphere.

Birds

Lake St. Clair is home to an impressive host of bird species, such as:

• Mallard
• American black duck
• American wigeon
• Canada goose

Endangered Species

A unique feature of Lake St. Clair is that it is the home to several different federally endangered species of animals, such as:

• King rail
• Eastern whip-poor-will
• Least bittern
• Eastern fox snake
• Swamp rose-mallow

Mammals

You can find the following mammals alongside the wildlife at Lake St. Clair:

• Canada lynx
• Beaver
• Little brown bat
• River otter

Reptiles

The following reptiles can be found along the shores of Lake St. Clair:

• Common Snapping turtle
• Painted turtle
• Pond slider

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Jdkfoto/Shutterstock.com