Many of the scary stories around Lake Erie likely come from the human need to explain the unexplained. The lake has its mysteries, like strange sounds that can be heard underwater or unusual lights that seem to float above the water at times. With no immediate scientific explanations, people's imaginations run wild, and they create stories about ghosts, monsters, and other supernatural beings to make sense of these strange phenomena.
Some of the scary stories around Lake Erie might have originated from real - life tragedies. There have been shipwrecks in the lake's history, and the loss of life could have led to stories of restless spirits. For example, when a ship sinks and many people die, it's natural for local folklore to develop around those events.
The native American tribes in the area also had their own legends about the lake. These could have been passed down and mixed with the stories of the European settlers. Maybe there were tales of powerful water spirits that the tribes believed in, and as time went on, these stories evolved into the modern - day scary stories we hear about Lake Erie. Another factor could be the isolation and the unpredictable weather on the lake. Storms can come up suddenly, and being out on the lake during a storm can be a terrifying experience. This fear could have contributed to the creation of spooky stories.