Michigan Lakes

[hesson81]

Hello,, I'm a first time boat owner in Michigan. Lots of lakes out here. Does anyone know of a site I can search that has a list of the lakes and moslty wether or not they are private or not. The DNR has a list of all lakes. but no info on the private or not.

Does anyone from the Michigan area know of any around the wayne county area that are worth going to??

Thanks for your help...

 

[roscoe]

Re: Michigan Lakes

http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/




http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-30301_31431_32340---,00.html



I would drive up to Saginaw and launch at Shaiwassee wildlife refuge, lots of water there.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Michigan Lakes

I am on the border and have tried to go to Michigan several times and people on the lakes seem to be pretty hostile against forieners.

If the lakes have a ramp there are 2-3 spots to park and it is just made clear that you aren't wanted there.

That is way south by the Indiana border though, may be different where you are and being from Mich maybe it will be better for you.

 

[Woodyq]

Re: Michigan Lakes

We towed up to Lake Charlevoix/Torch Lake last summer, enjoyed a couple of days of the most enjoyable boating we had all summer.

Torch Lake is absolutely beautiful and there is a great sand bar area at one end. All the folks were real friendly and we had a great time. Would love to go back this year but it is a long haul.

If it is within your striking range i heartily recommend it!!!!!

 

[etracer68]

Re: Michigan Lakes

5150abf, Here in WI, there are alot of lakes as in MI, and if the DNR stocks the lake with fish, there has to be a public ramp, but there doesnt have to be alot of parking for rigs. Most of the land around these lakes are privately owned. It seems that alot of people who own lake property figure its "THERE" lake, you may have to get up pretty early to get your worm on some lakes.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Michigan Lakes

5150ABF and others...

If you have had a bad boating experience in Michigan, my appologies...

In Michigan, the state owns the land under the lakes unless it is specifically a man-made lake. Rivers are owned by the state IF they are suitable for commerce. Here in Michigan, suitable for commerce is defined as having been used (or I assume being suitable to do so) to float a log to market. These definitions are for the water, NOT the land surrounding the water. That said, I grew up in Jackson county and currently live in Kent county. I have never had issues using a public access site in either of those counties, nor in any county in the state. Never have I had parking or ramp issues. The only comment I would make is that Lake Michigan is a little bit difficult to find public access to. This is simply a question of economics. Lake property is expensive, and thus public land on the lake front is going to be rare.

As far as the original posters question... Are you looking for access to one of the big lakes, or just smaller fishing lakes? Check out the metro parks on your side of the state. Also, depending on where you are at, Washtenaw and Jackson counties have great small lake (300 to 400 acres or so) in-land boating oportunities.

TerryMSU

 

[AndrewsArk]

Re: Michigan Lakes

There's public access to Lake Michigan in the rivers and connecting lakes. I boat in Lake Michigan all the time using Lake Macatawa for access. The reason there's no access directly is because the lake would tear it to pieces.

 

[sbooy42]

Re: Michigan Lakes

Torch Lake is absolutely beautiful and there is a great sand bar area at one end. All the folks were real friendly and we had a great time. Would love to go back this year but it is a long haul.

If it is within your striking range i heartily recommend it!!!!!

Hell yeah come on up...We love respectable considerate out-of-towners...

Dang the clock is moving slow today

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Michigan Lakes

There's public access to Lake Michigan in the rivers and connecting lakes. I boat in Lake Michigan all the time using Lake Macatawa for access. The reason there's no access directly is because the lake would tear it to pieces.

You are right, I was primarily referencing direct access. In our area, there is also access thru Muskegon lake and the Kalamazoo river. When I was looking at Lake Michigan, I was trailering a Hobie Cat and did not want to sail a couple of miles out thru a lake, etc. to get to Lake Michigan. Also, I was not interested in fighting the crowds to get to the lake.

TerryMSU

 

[AndrewsArk]

Re: Michigan Lakes

You are right, I was primarily referencing direct access. In our area, there is also access thru Muskegon lake and the Kalamazoo river. When I was looking at Lake Michigan, I was trailering a Hobie Cat and did not want to sail a couple of miles out thru a lake, etc. to get to Lake Michigan. Also, I was not interested in fighting the crowds to get to the lake.

TerryMSU

Very true, the crowds on warm weekends are pretty unbearable.

 

[lund_prosport]

Re: Michigan Lakes

There is tons of public water in all parts of Michigan, upper and lower peninsulas. You can, but don't need to, go up to the northern part of the lower peninsula. Take a look at http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/ and do some searching, and ask questions. Great bunch of people there. If you can suggest a general area you are thinking about, we can give you some suggestions.

 

[hesson81]

Re: Michigan Lakes

Thanks everyone for the replies. I can't wait to get out there this week..