Great Lakes Photo Showcase 

The International Joint Commission (IJC) works to engage and educate people on the issues that shape Great Lakes water quality. To support this work, the IJC is seeking photos from around the Great Lakes showing the countless ways that people interact with the Great Lakes.

Submitting photos: Entries are accepted on an ongoing basis (up to six (6) photos per person). Public voting begins in early 2026. Winners will be contacted via email.

Cast Your Vote: Recreation

How voting works: Browse the gallery and tap the Like button to cast your vote. You may vote for as many photos as you wish, but only once per photo.

View the galleries for the other categories:

What’s next: Winning photos will be featured in a post card series, on the IJC’s homepage and on our social media platforms. Photos will also be incorporated into the IJC’s upcoming assessment report on Great Lakes water quality.

A dog shows their human she can carry more sticks in her mouth. Superior, Wisconsin. Recreation. Brian Huberty
Dune grasses at the water's edge on Kemil Beach. Indiana Dunes National Park, Lake Michigan. Recreation. Phanikumar Mantha
Twilight at Oval Beach, along the Lake Michigan shore. Saugatuck, Michigan. Recreation. Phanikumar Mantha
A golden sunset at Oval Beach. Saugatuck, Michigan. Recreation. Phanikumar Mantha
A scenic view of the waterfront of Tobermory, Ontario, which is a tourist destination on Georgian Bay. Recreation. Gord McNulty
The MS Chi-Cheemaun ferry in Tobermory, Ontario, ready for transit to Manitoulin Island. Recreation. Gord McNulty
Birders prepare for a bird watching boat ride of the Fishing Islands, Lake Huron. Red Bay, Ontario. Gord McNulty
Naturalists enjoy excellent views of cormorants, gulls and great blue herons, the Fishing Islands in Lake Huron. Red Bay, Ontario. Recreation. Gord McNulty
A paddle boarder and kayaker at sunset. Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. Recreation. Victoria Redegeld