Kelleys Island is dubbed the Walleye Fishing capital of the world where trophy fish in the five to ten pound range is no surprise.  Catfish, yellow perch and smallmouth and white bass are the most common fish found in the waterways.

Kellys Island is also the largest freshwater American island in the western basin of Lake Erie.  Kelleys Island stretches along eighteen-mile of shoreline and covers twenty-eight hundred acres.

Kelleys Islands pristine beaches, fragrant vineyards, rocky shorelines, historical homes, lush forests and friendly hospitality call to those searching for a relaxing, quiet getaway.

One of the island's biggest assests is its flora and fauna.  Unusual land species include the rock elm, bog violet and the lakeside daisy. 

Late summer is the best time to watch for butterflies and dragonflies.  During the Butterfly Festival volunteers tag monarch butterflies as they stop over to rest on their journey south.

Bird life is also evident during all seasons, with abundant numbers of migrating songbirds, raptors and waterfowl in both spring and fall.  Nesting species that are sighted on Kelleys Island include the Bald Eagle, American Woodcock and Yellow Warbler.  Occasioanlly rarer birds species are sighted, such as Kirtland's Warbler and Chuck-will's Widow.

Whether you take the ferry, your own boat or fly over to Kelleys Island there is an abundance of activities for all ages.




Click for Kelleys Island, OH Forecast
Did You Know?
Kelleys Island was the center of limestone production in the Great Lakes in the late 19th century when 16 limestone kilns produced lime on the island. The quarries were the origin of the Kelley Island Lime & Transport Company, which was once the largest producer of limestone and lime products in the world.

If you know of any other historical facts or trivia about Kelleys Island please click here to fill out the "Did you know" form.

KELLEYS ISLAND
More than 1700 shipwrecks lie at the bottom of Lake Erie.  Three of the 277 wrecks that have been discovered are off the coast of Kelleys Island:

F.H. Prince
This ship was used for sand dredging off the east coast of Kelleys Island.  On Aug 8, 1911, an engine aboard the ship burst into flames.  Despite attempts by four other sandsuckers to douse the vessel with water pumped through their own ships, the F.H. Prince re-ignited on Aug 14, 1911 and was lost.  The captain and 18 crew members survived.

Adventure
On Oct. 7, 1903 the Adventure to Kelleys Island from Sandusky to load limestone.  The ship caught fire while the cargo was being loaded.  A tugboat towed the Adventure about 200 feet away from the dock, saving the dock and other schooners docked at Kelleys Island.  The captain, his wife and daughter escaped from the burning vessel.

W.R. Hanna
The W.R. Hanna was delivering limestone blocks from Kelleys Island to Detroit when it encountered gale-force winds on Oct. 14, 1886.  All members of the crew survived, however, the ship was torn to pieces.  The W.R. Hanna sunk north of Kelleys Island and the limestone blocks cover the wreckage.

For more information on these shipwrecks and others along Lake Erie visit www.ohioshipwrecks.org
Kelleys Island Businesses