Presquile State Park - shore and sand breaks at Sunset Point and Beach #6 work on NW, W, SW winds. A little bit skeptical on Beach #6 because of wave breakers, but still, that is closest surf spot to Pittsburgh. Check Youtube videos: Lake Erie Surfing Jan 02 2024 by Joe Gerin, this video by Ben Gravy for a good surf day in the past.

Freeport Beach - waves build along sand and pebble beach on NW, SW.

Considered one of the best surfing spots in Canada Kincardine beach . Waves often rise on NW, SW winds. You may also check Inverhuron Provincial Park beach North of Kincardine. Sandy beach should work well when winds are blowing from SW.

Yet another good place on lake Erie Canadian shore. Check out the Pier at Port Stanley Beach: waves may come at sand bar on SW, SE winds. I'd also have a look at the small sandy beach at Main St. exit, the satellite photo shows some wrinkles coming to the shore.

Featured #4 in The Best Places to Go Surfing on the Great Lakes Duluth MN and Superior WI are not just about surfing ;-) "A tourist destination for the Midwest, Duluth MN features the United States' only all-freshwater aquarium, the Great Lakes Aquarium; the Aerial Lift Bridge, which spans the Duluth Ship Canal into the Duluth–Superior Harbor; and Minnesota Point (known locally as Park Point), the world's longest freshwater baymouth bar, spanning 6 miles (9.7 km)." [wiki]

Park Point has numerous sandbar breaks along six-mile stretch of sandy beach. Established surf, windsurf and kayak spots include "First Turns" and "Off the Piers". Breaks work best on NE, N.

Lester River - wave breaks into river mouth on strong E, NE.

Empire and Frankfort of State Michigan are along absolutely gorgeous rolling miles of sandy beaches with secluded surf breaks and dunes. From North to South, Empire, MI area first:

Sleeping Bear Point aka Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - you may have to walk quite a bit. Featured as #3 in The Best Places to Go Surfing on the Great Lakes

Village Park - clean and well maintained Empire Municipal Beach full set of amenities and a lighthouse.

Esch Road Beach

Then down to Frankfort, MI which has at least 2 surf spots:

Elberta Municipal Beach - beach break South of outlet.

Frankfort Municipal Beach - break North of lake outlet, best on SW wind.

Grand Haven, MI is Lake Michigan's oldest surf spot. Works on SW and NW. Head to Grand Haven City Beach with numerous sand bars. Sand bars work on SW and NW.

Grand Haven State Park at South Pier - has large waves on SW and strong NW winds. Popular for easy access off end of pier.

North Beach Park - pounding sand breaks on NW.

There are plenty of surf spots at and near Grand Marais, state Michigan , so check around. These known for sure:

Grand Marais Beach  between Woodland Park Campground and North Shore Lodge. Sandbar and Breakwall work best on NW and NE.

Grand Sable Dunes : Sandy beach sand bar works best on NE, N, strong NW.

City of Sandusky, Ohio , USA has surf spots on Cedar Point down to Nickel Plate Beach close to Huron, OH. Looks like Sheldon Marsh State Nature Preserve and small beach at Bay Point Marina & Resort might work too. The spots are supposed to work on strong NE winds.

Milwaukee, WI  is not just breweries and home of Harley-Davidson. Milwaukee does have versatile surf spots right in the city and in its immediate suburbs. Definitely worth checking out for surfing, bodyboarding, kiting, windsurfing on lake Michigan. See Milwaukee North shore u-control web cam by LakefrontCam.com.

Bradford Beach offers half-mile long beach and sand break working on NE and SE winds. See u-control web cam by LakefrontCam.com.

McKinley Beach - sandbar and beach breaks on S, SE and E winds. Parking at McKinley Park . Can be seen from Milwaukee North shore u-control web cam by LakeFrontcam.com.

Big Bay park at Whitefish Bay is known for reliable sandbar break. Waves build on SE, NE and N.

Grant Park in South Milwaukee, WI. Sandbar. Works on N, NE and strong S, SE winds.

If you don't mind driving 1 hour North, check out Sheboygan, WI. If no waves at all, try their FlowRider wave machine in Blue Harbor Resort's Breaker Bay indoor waterpark.

The Windy City is rich of surfspots. Word of caution - you may be ticketed for surfing here. As of 2012, only four Chicago beaches are officially open for surfing:

Kathy Osterman Beach - nice sandy beach should work on N, NE winds.

North Avenue Beach - busy sandy beach off downtown.

Montrose Beach - half-mile sand beach with breakwall. Works on NE, N, NW. Montrose Beach is the most popular windsurfing location in Chicago.

Rainbow Beach shallow sand beach with offshore breakwall. Works on NE, N and NW.

57th Street Beach - may work on E, NE, SE.