The nearly 2-acre Petersen Woods is an undeveloped woodlot in the northern part of Middle Bass Island. It is located on Deist Road and is adjacent and west of Kuehnle Wildlife Area.

Petersen Woods provides habitat for the state-threatened Lake Erie water snake, migratory songbirds and wading birds.

Petersen Woods was acquired in 2004 by the Black Swamp Conservancy’s Lake Erie Islands Chapter. It was the chapter’s first property. The site offers birding opportunities and fishing access. There are no recreational or passive amenities.

Future site plans include nature trails, a boardwalk and an observation platform. An additional 0.75 acres of emergent wetland known as the Lawrence Evans tract, situated between Petersen Woods and Kuehnle Wildlife Area, was also acquired by the conservancy’s Lake Erie Islands Chapter.

Middle Bass Island, Ohio, is a 750-acre island in Western Lake Erie. It is shaped like the Big Dipper and located at the heart of a group of 23 islands. Its more famous neighbors are South Bass Island, with the town of Put-in-Bay, Kelley’s Island, and Pelee Island which is the only large Lake Erie island in Canada.

The U.S. mainland lies 7 miles to the south. The international boundary between the U.S. and Canada lies 1.5 miles to the north. The Canadian mainland (Ontario) lies 15 miles to the north. Middle Bass has about 32 year-round residents and 800 to 1000 seasonal residents. On a busy summer holiday weekend, there are typically over 1500 people staying on the island, and many day-trippers visiting.

Called Ile des Fleurs or Island of Flowers by early French explorers, Middle Bass is a low, green island with friendly people, blue water, glacial grooves, small houses, rental cabins, camping, beaches, marinas, a historic district, a wildlife refuge, and, soon, an Ohio state park. Access is by public ferries, private boats and planes, and air services.

Descendants of 19th-century German settlers still live on the island; their families’ vineyards are gone now, but they play an important role in today’s island community. Some seasonal residents are sixth-generation summer islanders. Newer residents give the island their energy, enthusiasm, and diversity.

Restrooms at Middle Bass Island State Park.