OHIO — One of the Great Lakes that’s home to many states is gaining national recognition.
Lake Erie, which is the shallowest of the major lakes, was voted the Best Lake by USA Today.
Each year, USA Today’s Reader’s Choice selects a handful of categories in which a panel of experts selects nominees. Once the panel narrows down its choices, the public is invited to choose. The final top 10 make up the 10Best Reader’s Choice awards in each category, according to USA Today.
Lake Erie is bordered by Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York, and offers a wide array of activities for water lovers to enjoy. From the numerous beaches along its shorelines to the waters that allow boating, jetskiing and kayaking, it’s a recreational dream for many.
People fish off of Bradstreet’s Landing in Rocky River, Ohio, on June 24, 2025. (Spectrum News 1/Lydia Taylor)
“It may be the shallowest of North America’s Great Lakes, but Lake Erie has a massive amount of potential when it comes to both tourism and outdoor adventure,” USA Today wrote in its ranking. “Buffalo, Cleveland, and Toledo are just a few of the storied cities that can be explored along the Erie shore, while recreation opportunities range from fishing to bird-watching to shipwreck diving.”
Aside from the shoreline itself, the lake also holds famous islands, which visitors frequent in the summertime, including South Bass Island (home of Put-in-Bay), Kelleys Island and the smallest, Mouse Island, which is currently up for sale.
A view of Put-in-Bay from the top of Perry’s Monument. (Spectrum News 1/Lydia Taylor)
Other Great Lakes made the list, including Lake Michigan and Lake Superior.
To view the full ranking, click here.