Potagannissing Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Potagannissing Bay |
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 Potagannissing Bay
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Chippewa County, Michigan Algoma District, Ontario, Canada |
| Coordinates | 46°02′30″N 83°52′00″W / 46.04167°N 83.86667°W |
| Type | Bay |
| Native name | Bootaagan-mnising-wiikwed Error {{native name checker}}: parameter value is malformed (help) |
| Surface elevation | 581 feet (177 m) |
Potagannissing Bay is a beautiful bay with many islands. It is part of Lake Huron. You can find it in both Ontario, Canada (Algoma District) and Michigan, United States (Chippewa County).
The name Bootaagan-mnising-wiikwed comes from the Anishinaabe people. It means "Bay by the Mill Island," which refers to Drummond Island.
This bay is surrounded by land and water. To the northwest is St. Joseph Island in Ontario. To the southeast is Drummond Island in Michigan. Other water bodies nearby include the Saint Marys River, the De Tour Passage, and the North Channel. The bay is northeast of De Tour Village. Its waters are full of freshwater fish.
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How the Bay Was Formed
Potagannissing Bay was created a very long time ago. About 10,000 years ago, a huge sheet of ice called a glacier melted quickly. This event happened at the end of the Wisconsin glaciation period.
As the glacier melted, it dropped many rocks and gravel. These piles of material formed the land we see today. Much of this land ended up under the Great Lakes.
Islands of the Bay
Today, the bay has 53 named islands. There are also countless smaller, unnamed islands. Most of these islands do not have people living on them all year. However, many are privately owned. People build summer cottages on them to enjoy during warmer months.
The biggest island in the bay is Harbor Island. Since 1983, it has been a National Wildlife Refuge. This means it is a protected area for wildlife.
Fun Activities and Economy
Potagannissing Bay is a great place for outdoor activities. Its main industries involve fishing and boating.
Fishing in the Bay
Many people come here for sport fishing. They try to catch large fish like bass, northern pike, and salmon. There is also commercial fishing for fish such as lake trout and walleye.
Boating and Exploring
The bay is also popular for pleasure boating. With so many islands, there are lots of chances to explore and sightsee. You can almost always find a calm, sheltered spot along the coastline.
Wildlife in the Bay
Because there are so many fish, many birds that eat fish live here. You might see the great blue heron, which is a large wading bird. Osprey are also common; they are skilled fish-hunting birds of prey. The majestic bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, also lives and hunts in the bay.
