There are man-made channels cut through the island to ensure fresh water supply and recreational opportunities.

The island's flora and fauna have been heavily affected by human activity, and the forest is the result of a rehabilitation programme.

The island offers attractive Detroit city views, a wide sandy beach and shallow river bottom, and is a favorite with summer boaters.

As of June 27, 2018, the City of Windsor began to run a ferry service to the island for day trips.

Tours operate on select days during the week and weekends, weather permitting, from June to October.

Boaters, canoers and kayakers can enjoy the island's trails and beaches and approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) of canals.

Sailors are advised to anchor along the southern shore of the island, abeam the Windsor Yacht Club.

Peregrine falcons and bald eagles are often attracted by these large flocks and can sometimes be seen perched in the island's larger treetops, or in the nesting platforms constructed by the Essex County Field Naturalists' Club.

Muskie, walleye, bass, bluegill and perch are found in the waters surrounding the island, and fishing pressures are reported low.

Peche Island is one of the few places where the rare blue ash tree (Fraxinus quadrangulata) can be found.

There is also evidence that her grandmother, Louise Gauthier St. Aubin, was fluent in the native language and went to the Ottawa village to exchange her baked goods for honey and bear grease.

It was Charles LaForest dit Tineau's sons that sold the island for 300 dollars to William Gasper Hall.

His daughter Sophie Rose Champine, on behalf of her mother Rosalie Drouillard LaForest, started the inquiry into the sale of the island.

Yachts were purchased - the Pastime and the Lurline - for travelling to the island from Walker's office and for cruises and parties on the river and lakes.

Walker employed the botanical services of Rolla James Coryell, whose family owned approximately 80 acres (devoted to nurseries and orchards) in Birmingham, Michigan (The Coryell Brothers were all graduates of the Michigan State University Agriculture, Botany, and Farming School).

The ferry company president, Walter Campbell, lived in Walker's summer home while planning to turn it at least temporarily into the central pavilion of his new resort.

The plan included an 18-hole golf course, plus Canadian-themed recreation areas: ice skating, a ski hill, restaurants, a hotel, reforestation, and possible cable car service from Windsor and Detroit.

However, due to mismanagement, Harris ran into stiff opposition from neighbours and local political leaders.

Early plans to develop the island as a nature area, with groomed trails, mooring facilities and shelters, stalled for lack of funds.

While originally hoping to obtain the island for $1.00, the City of Windsor acquired the land from the Province of Ontario on January 1, 1999 for a reported fee of $1.3 million.

The Peche Island Rear Range Light was built of cast iron in 1908 to mark the narrow passage from Lake St. Clair to the Detroit River and guarded the reef for some 75 years.