Three separate bedrooms in a 2023-built ranch on the downtown side of Port Clinton, Lake Erie's Walleye Capital. West 2nd Retreat is a modern single-level home set up for fishing crews, families and small groups who each want their own room, and for longer winter stays. It sleeps 6.
Sleeping arrangements:
- Primary suite: king bed with a private bathroom (walk-in shower, double vanities) and a spacious closet
- Bedroom 2: queen bed
- Bedroom 3: full bed plus a full-size trundle, two real beds in one room for kids, teens or two friends
- Second full bathroom with tub/shower, next to bedrooms 2 and 3
Inside:
- New kitchen with electric range, dishwasher, full-size fridge, Keurig and drip coffee maker, cookware, dishes and utensils (coffee isn't provided)
- Open living and dining area with a large sectional, smart TV and a table for four
- Laundry room with a full washer and dryer, plus an iron and board
- Central heat and air with an Ecobee thermostat, so it stays comfortable through the winter
- Everything is on one level once you're inside; there are a few steps up to the front entrance
Outside and boat parking:
- Covered front patio with a propane grill
- Backyard fire pit with seating for six
- Stone driveway fits 2 to 3 vehicles, or a truck and boat or trailer (no garage)
- Exterior outlet for charging a boat, beside the air-conditioning unit on the right side of the house; bring a long extension cord (not provided)
Fishing and boating:
- Fall walleye and perch: the western-basin walleye bite usually runs until the lake freezes
- Portage River public launch (Ohio Division of Wildlife, two lanes): about 3 minutes away. It's about 2 river miles to Lake Erie, under the Monroe Street drawbridge (9 ft clearance closed; it opens on the hour and half hour in season, and with 24 hours' notice Dec 1 to Apr 30)
- Catawba Island State Park: four free boat ramps straight onto Lake Erie, with trailer parking, about 20 minutes
Fall and winter in Port Clinton:
- Downtown restaurants and bars are a couple of minutes by car
- Downtown holiday lights and Christmas events, and the New Year's Eve Walleye Drop, a couple of minutes from the house
- Gideon Owen Wine Co. on Catawba Island, about 15 minutes, open year-round
- Kalahari indoor waterpark in Sandusky, about 30 minutes, open all year
- Lakeview Park Beach, about 5 minutes by car
- Jet Express to Put-in-Bay, a few minutes by car; Port Clinton sailings end for the season Oct 25
- Cedar Point, about 30 minutes; open for HalloWeekends through Nov 1, then closed until spring
- Weekly and monthly stays are welcome
Getting around:
You'll want a car: Port Clinton has no public transit and rideshare is limited. Camp Perry is about 10 minutes, the Catawba Island wineries about 15 and Sandusky about 30. Toledo is roughly 45 minutes and Cleveland roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Good to know:
- Trains: the home sits near active train tracks, and passing trains can be heard, particularly at night. Light sleepers may want earplugs.
- The property borders a cemetery on one side, so there are no neighbors on that side and the backyard is quiet.
- A starter supply of toilet paper, paper towels and trash bags is provided. Shampoo, conditioner, body wash and coffee are not, so please bring your own.
- The propane grill tank isn't monitored; if it runs low, exchange it at a nearby store.
- A Ring doorbell camera at the front door records the front patio and parking area.
- Seasonal mayflies appear for a few days in late spring and early summer.
- No pets, no parties, no smoking. Quiet hours 10 PM to 8 AM.