McGregor Bay is a 14 by 10 mile island filled body of water at the north end of Georgian Bay, bordered by the La Cloche Mountains and the Killarney Wilderness Park to the north and east and accessed by highway # 6 from the west.
In the 17" century the first fur traders arrived and by the early 1900’s summer cottages were being established. Now there are about 400 family cottages. "Crown Land" owned by the government takes up many of the smaller islands and sections of large ones, and is closed to further development.
Over the years many artists including the famous "Group of Seven" have portrayed the outstanding scenery and panoramic views the area has to offer.
One of the many joys of McGregor Bay is the chance to escape urban life and its traffic and sirens. An association of property owners - The McGregor Bay Association, is in place to oversee environmental issues, fire protection, garbage disposal, security, social events, etc.
The main access point to the bay is from Birch Island, located on highway #6, 18 miles south of the town of Espanola and the Trans Canada Highway (highway # 17). Birch Island is 3.5 hours by car from Sault Ste Marie and 5.5 hours from Toronto. Alternatively, travelers from the south may choose to bring the ChiCheemaun full service car ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island - Birch Island is a 1 hour drive from South Baymouth. At Birch island there are 2 marinas offering water taxis, dockage, convenience shopping, car parking and winter boat storage.
The closest airport for private and charter aircraft is Manitoulin East (CYEM) - this airport is paved, lit, maintained year-round and has an IFR approach. Some McGregor Bay property owners keep a vehicle at the airport which is about 20 miles from Birch Island.
Scheduled airline flight connections can be made through Toronto to the Sudbury airport which is less than 1.5 hours by car from Birch Island.
The Bay is fairly close to most amenities - Espanola with a permanent population of over 5000 provides excellent shopping for nearly every need - groceries, building supplies, hardware, etc. Also, there are hospitals in Espanola and Little Current (12 miles from Birch Island to the south on Manitoulin Island).
Ontario Hydro provides electricity service to many of the islands in McGregor Bay by means of submarine cables - most of the conveniences of home are possible in this bay!
The Bay is well known for its Lake Trout, Pike, Walleye and Bass fishing and the occasional Musky. The Salmon fishery is also becoming very popular and just a short boat ride from the bay.
In the recent years the bay has been charted and some of the private islands in the bay are quite accessible by large yacht from the big waters of Georgian Bay and Lake Huron.
COTTAGES FOR SALE, ISLANDS, RESORTS, LODGES, WATERFRONT LOTS, ACREAGES FOR SALE
