FISHING LAKES

Are you looking to spend quality family time with something for everyone, and for this to be all offered at the same location? Colwell Lake in northern Schoolcraft County is the place to be! Located just 25 miles north of Manistique on M-94, Colwell Lake offers great camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming, and hiking for families and individuals alike! There is a beautiful swimming area and boat access available for your next visit. The campground area also offers a dump station, a two mile lakeside path around the lake, a skid pier, water hydrants, electricity, and picnic ground. The fisherman can expect to find black crappie, bluegill, perch, pumpkin see, northern pike, and largemouth bass swimming around the 145 acres of Colwell Lake. Come spend an evening, weekend, or an entire week out at Colwell Lake and discover the beauty of Schoolcraft County.

The fourth largest inland lake in the Upper Peninsula with an area of 8,400 acres, Indian Lake offers a wide variety of fish including northern pike, bluegill, brown trout, rock bass, walleye, sturgeon, muskellunge, smallmouth bass, and perch. The lake is 5 miles long, 3 miles wide, and Indian Lake State Park features a clean sand beach perfect for those wanting to swim or sunbathe. Indian Lake State Park can be found a short 4 miles west of Manistique off of County Road 442. The park is split in two and has a South Shore Unit as well as a West Shore unit. There are 145 available campsites in the South Shore Unit as well as showers, electrical hookup, and flush toilets. The West Shore campground has 72 campsites, but they are much more secluded than the South Shore. In addition, the West Shore offers vault toilets, drinking water, and electricity, but does not offer showers or flush toilets. Indian Lake State Park affords interactive programs, horseshoe pits, and even a volleyball court all for your pleasure as you camp on one of Michigan’s most beautiful lakes!

McDonald Lake is located in Schoolcraft County, 2 miles south of Gulliver. There is public access and a hard-surface ramp with sufficient water depth and lake or impoundment size to accommodate all trailerable watercraft (minimum of 2.5 - 3 feet deep at a distance of 20 feet from shore). Courtesy Ramp and toilets are available. 15 parking spaces available at the access site. McDonald Lake is 1,440 acres in size. It is approximately 10 feet deep at its deepest point. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bream, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Perch, Rock Bass, and Sunfish. Fishing on McDonald Lake goes year-round, with ice fishing being very popular during winter.

Steuben Lake offers two primitive campsites, good swimming at each site, boat access in the northwest corner of the lake, and fantastic fishing! Walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, and perch all populate this 151 acre lake located approximately 25 miles north of Manistique off of M-94. The campsites have neither water or toilets of any kind, meaning Steuben Lake is the perfect destination for those wilderness, adventure seekers! Each campsite can be reserved up to seven days, so come spend a week in Manistique and enjoy the beauty of Steuben Lake!

Located 11 miles north of Manistique on M-94, Dodge Lake is a 72 acre paradise for anyone who loves to fish. Species available include: northern pike, largemouth bass, lake trout, perch, sunfish and bluegill. Some of these fish approach state-record size and can be caught in quanity. There is an improved public-access boat launch with a hard-surface ramp with sufficient water depth and lake or impoundment size to accommodate all trailerable watercraft (minimum of 2.5 - 3 feet deep at a distance of 20 feet from shore). The site is signed, and has 8 parking spaces and toilets. Connected to Dodge Lake, via a navigable inlet, is Island Lake. While somewhat smaller than Dodge Lake, Island Lake offers the same great fishing opportunity for the angler, as well as slower, more relaxed boating. You will often see pontoon boats slowly making their way around the shore, taking in the beautiful scenery and abundant sunshine.

Island Lake is located just 11 miles north of Manistique on M-94. It is connected to its neighbor, Dodge Lake, via a navigable inlet. Island Lake offers a more relaxing, quaint fishing adventure than many other lakes throughout Schoolcraft County. The lake is 106 acres of peace and quite. Visit Island Lake and see one more reason you should spend a week in Manistique.

Milakokia Lake is located in western Mackinac County, just east of the Schoolcraft County Line. This lake is 1,956 acres in size. It is approximately 26 feet deep at its deepest point. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, Walleye and Yellow Perch. Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground is situated on the shore of Milakokia Lake. There are 35 sites for tent and small trailer use, some of which can accommodate 40-ft vehicle/trailer. Sites available on a first-come, first-serve basis. No reservations. There is public access to the lake. Rustic campground includes vault toilets and potable water from well hand pump.

Grab the family, come and appreciate the picturesque 350 acres of Thunder Lake, and enjoy a day of family fun! If fishing is on the list of things to do, you can find northern pike, yellow perch, bullhead, walleye, and largemouth bass populating the waters of Thunder Lake. There is a boat launch, but know that no restrooms are available. If you want to enjoy the lake for an extended period of time, stay in one of the resorts or cabins along the lake! The natural beauty of Thunder Lake will simply take your breath away; start planning your trip today!

Gulliver Lake is approximately 12 miles east of Manistique. Bluegill, rock bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, sunfish, and walleye all populate this 837 acre lake. There is a boat access and large park and picnic area on the west side of the lake perfect for an afternoon of enjoyment. Multiple vacation homes and resorts surround the lake and offer a great getaway experience. In addition, you are only a short 10 miles from the historic Seul Choix Point Lighthouse. Gulliver Lake is a large lake just waiting for your next visit to Schoolcraft County!

The Manistique Marina opens into Lake Michigan and is the only naturally open port on the Upper Great Lakes; the marina is also accessible year round. A newly built beautiful harbormaster building offers restrooms and showers, electricity and water hookup. Fishing is great along the Manistique River and boating slips can be rented daily, weekly, or even longer! The Manistique Marina also offers a playground and easy access to the downtown district. Many events have taken place at the marina including Pioneer Day, an event sponsored by the Schoolcraft County Historical Society honoring the area’s past, as well as Hops on the Harbor, Manistique’s very own beer festival. When visiting Schoolcraft County you must make a stop down to the Manistique Marina and discover the true beauty Manistique has to offer!

If seclusion is what you require on vacation, Minerva Lake is the spot to visit in Schoolcraft County! This small 45 acre lake offers largemouth bass and yellow perch and has a reputation for great fishing! There is one campsite located on Minerva Lake, and it is very primitive. There is no drinking water or toilet available anywhere around the lake. If you want to make a weekend out of your trip to Minerva Lake, you can stay in the one campsite around the lake. The campsite is located in a beautiful mixture of hardwoods and hemlocks with a beautiful view of the lake. Are you looking for a peaceful respite from your normal hectic lifestyle? Look no further than Minerva Lake!

Located in a remote area of western Schoolcraft County, Triangle Lake is perfect for anyone looking for a quit location to camp, fish, hike, swim, or just relax. There are two campsites on Triangle Lake, which is 169 acres, and both can be reached from the Pine Marten Run Trail. The trail is non-motorized and is perfect for mountain biking, hiking, or even horseback riding! Unfortunately, no drinking water is available at both sites; however, a boat access and parking area can be found at site one. Northern pike, crappie, perch, small mouth bass, and bluegills can all be found in the lake. Site one also offers a beautiful swimming area, but know that it is strongly discouraged to swim at site two. Following the Thunder Lake Road until you reach the access road to Triangle Lake; this road will transform you into a world of wonder.