Gull Island (Michigan) facts for kids

Gull Island is the name given to many small islands in the U.S. state of Michigan. These islands are found in different large lakes, including Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Lake St. Clair, and the St. Marys River system. There are also some Gull Islands in Michigan's inland lakes.

Gull Islands in Lake Huron

Several Gull Islands are located in Lake Huron:

• In Alpena County, you'll find a Gull Island just outside Thunder Bay. This island is part of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which helps protect shipwrecks and the lake's history.
• Another tiny Gull Island is in Arenac County. It sits at the entrance of the Saginaw Bay, nestled between Charity Island and Little Charity Island.
• In Bay County, there's a Gull Island in the Saginaw Bay. It's located near Bay City, close to where the Saginaw River flows into the bay.
• A Gull Island in Mackinac County is found at the eastern end of the Straits of Mackinac. It's just off the southern coast of Bois Blanc Island.

Gull Islands in Lake Michigan

You can find more Gull Islands in Lake Michigan:

• In Charlevoix County, there is a Gull Island west of Beaver Island. This island is special because it's part of the Michigan Islands National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge protects important habitats for birds and other wildlife.
• In Delta County, a Gull Island is located between St. Martin Island and Poverty Island. It's at the southeast entrance of the Big Bay de Noc. There's also an even smaller island nearby called Little Gull Island.
• In Leelanau County, a Gull Island sits in Northport Bay, which is part of the Grand Traverse Bay area. This island is a special "No Trespassing Nature Preserve." It's owned by the Leelanau Conservancy, an organization that works to protect nature. This island is very important because it's the southernmost place where herring gulls nest on Lake Michigan. It's also sometimes called Trout Island or Bellows Island.

Gull Islands in Lake Superior

Two groups of Gull Islands are found in Lake Superior:

• The Gull Islands in Keweenaw County are a cluster of small islands. They are northeast of Passage Island and are part of Isle Royale National Park. These islands are very close to the border between Canada and the United States.
• In Marquette County, there's a Gull Island that is part of the Huron Islands. These islands are also part of the Huron National Wildlife Refuge, which helps protect birds and their homes.

Gull Island in Lake St. Clair

• In St. Clair County, a Gull Island is located in Lake St. Clair. It's found at the mouth of the south channel of the St. Clair River.

Gull Islands in the St. Marys River System

The St. Marys River system also has Gull Islands:

• One Gull Island is on Potagannissing Bay, at the southern end of the St. Marys River in Chippewa County. It's northwest of Drummond Island and is part of Drummond Township.
• Another Gull Island is on Munuscong Lake, which is also off the St. Marys River in Chippewa County.

Gull Island in Inland Lakes

• There is also a Gull Island on Manistique Lake in Mackinac County.