Lake St. Clair and St. Clair Flats

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Ken34

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This is a waypoit chart that will be helpful to anyone, such as Split Decision, that are looking to travel this way.

http://www.lakestclair.net/index.php?app=ccs&module=pages&section=pages&id=5

The area of the flats is very decieving to those of you who are not familiar with the area.
The flats show depths to be very shallow and albeit true, they are still very navigable. there are numerous channels and "highways" that allow you to transit across the flats. The main channels can be traveled in any size boats, most highways should be traveled in smaller shallower draft boats. The highways are typically deep, but the dump outs into the bays are typically to shallow for most boats. Many of us locals will travel the flats that are charted as unnavigable. I personally run my 32 in areas that will ping 2.5 in depth while on plane. I do not come off plane until we are looking at 3-4's though. I typically do not churn the bottom, but others that follow with more draft typically do. The two main bays will allow 5-7' of water to run in, but can come up quickly if you are not paying attention.
 
This is a quick map of the flats.

The "anchor" in yellow are very accessible from deep water, but the winds are to be watched for good conditions. These areas are not terribly favorable for overnighting though.

In red, all these areas are good for overnighting. Regardless of what the wind does, they are all manageable.

The purple "H" are all of the well known highways that can be run with an inflatable or smaller boat to explore different areas - be careful as there is no shortage of boats traveling through these areas!

There are 3 resturants that are easily accessible by larger boats as marked.

Just a few ideas.

The only way to really explore the flats is to be careful, but not affraid, of the shallow waters, explore with the inflatables, and enjoy the quiet after 7pm when most of the rookies/weekend warriors head home for the night!

Flat.jpg
 
There are many no wakes in areas that are classified by lengths, please keep this in mind.

The sni (Chanel about round) is by far the nicest place on all the flats, and the least traveled. We have just pulled off to the side in years past and through anchor for evenings!
 
Thanks for the anchoring info Ken. Based on your suggestions and looking at the chart you provided I think we would favor the anchorage in the "sni" and the anchorage under the word "Bay' in Big Muscamoot Bay.

So in the sni, you can get out of the channel enough to anchor overnight wthout the need to be concerned with night time boat traffic?

That sni anchorage does look well protected from winds should a good old thunderstorm sneak up. :)

I'm looking forward to trying those anchorages since they are only about a one hour boat ride from our home marina and we love to explore new places via inflatable.

Thanks,
Mike.
 
SD-
Yes, up and down the sni there are many places you can just pull to the side. You can get as close as 5' to most of the tall weed lines and be able to walk off the side of the boat, then the other side you should be able to dive in the water!

The Sni is no wake for all boats 26 and above. We normally anchor at the south end where there is a no wake for all sizes. The sni is mostly traveled by those with cottages or those that are very familiar with the waters. I typically feel safe back there.

Off the sni there is the Baltimore Highway. This is all no wake also and offers places to anchor in the channel as well as just to the west of the last cottage. This is a spot I like as it gets you onto a shallow flat and out of any current that may be flowing.

The Big Muskamout anchorage is good to, but this is by far the busiest raft up party place on the flats. I would tend to stay to the north of the big line/gauntlet/raft that happens every weekend.....if you have kids with you! But in the evening and mornings Muskamout is a great place to be.

The flats are nice, as most of the areas can be open to wind issue, but the waves will only ever get so big because physical depth does not allow for wave action to be concerned.

When you head this way, let me know. I will do my best to get over and run into you. We can run around and explore the flats via inflatables!
 
I appreciate the local knowledge point of view Ken. My wife and I will take a closer look at Sni and Big Muskamout Bay on our paper charts. I like your description of the Sni. We do have a nine year old son who grew up on our boats, so he would enjoy anchoring out, running around in the inflatable and walking the shallows and swimming.

Our first trip each year in the spring after our boat is launched is a run over to Metro Beach on our Canadian Victoria Day long weekend in May.

If you and your wife (and little one) are available to visit us at Metro I'll have a cold beer or two awaiting.

Running around the flats via inflatable sounds like fun too. I don't very often have the luxury of a local tour guide. :)

Thanks again,
Mike.
 
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