Boat Rentals in Harrison Twp, MI

For Harrison Township, the best all-around boating on Lake St. Clair, Black Creek and the Clinton River is late June through early September. NOAA’s long-term graph shows Lake St. Clair surface water generally reaching the low-to-mid 70s in July and August, then cooling through September and October. Macomb County’s Marine Division identifies Memorial Day through Labor Day, weather permitting, as its busy season. The wider open-water window varies with ice; National Weather Service nearshore forecasts typically run from about April through December. For the exact day, use the Lake St. Clair forecast to compare wind and wave conditions.

Source: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (apps.glerl.noaa.gov)

From Harrison Township, you can boat directly onto Lake St. Clair, then explore the Clinton River, Black Creek, Anchor Bay or Strawberry Island. Lake St. Clair is the main cruising water, while the Harrison Township sections of the Clinton River, Black Creek and their connected channels are slow-no-wake areas.

Anchor Bay offers tranquil anchoring over a sandy bottom, and Strawberry Island is a popular weekend anchorage. Common public put-ins are Clinton River Cut-Off, Lake St. Clair Metropark, Harley Ensign and Selfridge.

Source: Macomb County (macombgov.org)

From Harrison Township, boaters can make Lake St. Clair day trips to Gull Island, Big Muscamoot Bay, downtown New Baltimore and St. Clair Shores. The county water trail circles Gull Island and crosses Big Muscamoot Bay, making both natural choices for scenery and small craft exploring. New Baltimore’s Walter and Mary Burke Park offers transient slips with access to its beach, picnic areas and downtown. In St. Clair Shores, Lac Sainte Clair and Blossom Heath harbors offer transient wells for short visits, along with services such as water, electricity, restrooms and picnic areas.

Source: St. Clair County Parks and Recreation (stclaircounty.org)

Michigan requires a boating safety certificate rather than a recreational boating license for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, operating a motorboat over 6 horsepower. A child under 12 may operate 6 to 35 horsepower only with a certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16, and may not operate more than 35 horsepower.

For personal watercraft, no one under 14 may operate. Ages 14 and 15 need a certificate plus either accompaniment by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult 21 or older, or operation within 100 feet of one; operators born after December 31, 1978, need a certificate. A renter who completes livery safety training may use the written rental agreement as a certificate only for the listed rental dates. Michigan DNR administers the program.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Michigan boaters should follow Michigan Department of Natural Resources rules on life jackets, sober operation, registration, personal watercraft and invasive species. Carry a Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person; children under 6 must wear a Type I or II jacket on an open deck while underway. Operating with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 or higher is illegal. Unless exempt, watercraft must be registered and display a decal. PWC operators must be at least 14, with certificate and supervision rules for ages 14 and 15, and PWCs may not operate from sunset to 8 a.m. Before launching or transporting, remove plants and debris from boat and trailer, and pull drain plugs and drain all water before hauling; local no wake rules may also apply.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, michigan.gov/dnr (michigan.gov)

The legal minimum depends on vessel class and power: Michigan has no minimum operating age for a motorboat of 6 horsepower or less. For more than 6 horsepower, unsupervised operation starts at 12 with a boating safety certificate. Under 12, operation through 35 horsepower requires that certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16; stronger boats are prohibited. Personal watercraft require age 14. Ages 14–15 need a certificate and either a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult 21 or older onboard, or within 100 feet while that adult operates another personal watercraft; independent operation starts at 16. Certificates are compulsory for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996, and PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Rental operators set their minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Harrison Twp has 4 boat clubs, 19 marinas and 9 boat dealers.