Peche Island is a public park in Windsor, Ontario. The island is located where the bottom of Lake St. Clair meets the Detroit River. It is about 330 metres off of the City of Windsor’s shoreline.
You can access Peche Island by boat, canoe, kayak, or paddle board. From June to October, the City of Windsor also operates a paid shuttle service to Peche Island from Lakeview Park Marina.
The island is the perfect spot for a day trip or afternoon adventure. Walk along the nature trails and explore the island’s canals and ruins from the late 1800s.
Hiram Walker owned Peche Island from 1883. Since that time, the island has been a refuge for flora and fauna, like butternut trees, Kentucky coffee trees, and Northern madtom fish. The island’s name comes from the French word “pecher” meaning “to fish”. After becoming a provincial park, Peche Island was transferred to the City of Windsor in 1999.
The island’s central location also makes it susceptible to erosion damage. Cargo ship traffic and high water levels on the Detroit River are shrinking Peche Island’s shoreline. The island was once over 100 acres in size, but is now only 86 acres and still shrinking. Essex Region Conservation Authority, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, City of Windsor, and The W. Garfield Weston Foundation (through Swim Drink Fish) are working to restore the island and its habitat.
