Waterlandliving.com

With some 11,000 estimated Michigan lakes, there will certainly be a lot of duplication in the names of some of those lakes. I know of at least 15 Crystal Lakes in Michigan.

Crystal Lake is located in eastern Montcalm County. This large Michigan Lake of 724 acres has reported depths of 60 feet.  The city of Crystal Michigan is located on the south east shore of the lake. The city is big enough for a grocery store, gas station, and bank and yes a sporting goods store.

Fisherman should find Black Crappie, Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.  The Michigan DNR maintains a public three acre access site on the north side of the lake, at the end of Waldron Road. The access site has a hard surface boat launch site with plenty of parking and restrooms.

Crystal Lake is fully developed with a mix of year round homes and seasonal cottages. You can enjoy a nice drive around the lake, as many of the homes and cottages are built across the street from the lake, providing an unobstructed view of the lake as you travel around it.

For more information visit Crystal Lake Homeowners association.

While walking along the lakefront, I saw this crack in the ice and took the shot. When I looked at it on the computer I was struck by how it resemebled a bare winter tree.

Tammarack Lake is located in the city of Lakeview in northern Montcalm County.  The lake is conveniently located at the intersection of M46 and M91, 16 miles north of Greenville. This Michigan lake of 323 acres of surface water is a rather shallow lake.  Tammarack Lake is known more for the wild fowl who make their home in the lake, than being an all sports water activity.

Coming home the other day, with my eye open for a photo op, I pulled over the car over as I noticed a pair of swans on the edge of the lake. I got my camera out and began snapping a few shots. The swans seemed to be posing for me.

I shot a few more, they were agreeable. Usually the waterfowl just are not interested in letting anybody get close. I felt like they were posing for me. I just shot more and more. It was a delight.

And then it was over. The Tammarack Lake swans turned and glided away to perhaps another appointment. I turned and headed back to my car. What I didn’t realize was, another car had parked and watched the same swans and the photographer. The driver of the car said “I am not sure what I enjoyed more, watching the swans pose for you, or you taking their shots”

It’s fall and there is still time to enjoy a Michigan lake.

The Little Muskegon River has it’s headwaters in Mecosta County and winds it’s way through three Michigan counties. The river begins as a shallow stream and increases in width and depth as it flows thru Montcalm County and then into Newaygo County, where it becomes a tributary of the Muskegon River at the Croton Dam.

Much of the Little Muskegon’s riverfront is natural, it’s riverbanks lined with a variety of oak, pine, ash and elm. Michigan deer, as well as a wide range of other wildlife and waterfowl, make their home here, enjoying life in their natural habitat.  Fisherman report catches of small mouth bass, walleye and perch.

Due to the brush, low hanging limbs and the trees that have fallen into the river, as well as the seasonal water levels, canoeing is only possible in the lower third of the river.

As with much of the waterfront on Michigan’s lakes and rivers, much of the property along the river is privately owned. Please respect the rights of property owners by not trespassing.

Clifford Lake is centrally  located in Montcalm County in Douglass Township, 4 ½ miles west of Stanton on Stanton Road (#522) 10 miles northeast of Greenville. Clifford Lake is a 200 acre all sports Michigan lake with reported depths of 45 feet.

Fishermen report catches of Black Crappie, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Pumpkinseed, Walleye and Yellow Perch.

The Michigan DNR maintains a public access site with a hard surface boat launch site with parking and restrooms. The site is well marked and is located right off Stanton Road.  
Clifford Lake is largely developed Michigan lake with mainly year round homes and a small percent of seasonal cottage.

A popular spot on Clifford Lake is the restored Clifford Lake Inn, a designated Michigan historic site. This lakefront restaurant and inn combination offers a full menu of steak, ribs, seafood and more in a casual setting with outdoor deck dining. The Clifford Lake in is located on the east side of Clifford Lake, on Clifford Lake Road. Be sure to check it out! 

Montcalm County is home to many wonderful Michigan lakes. Dickerson Lake is one of those lakes. Dickerson Lake is located  in Douglass Township, 3 ½ miles west of Stanton on Stanton Road (#522), 11 miles northeast of Greenville.

Dickerson Lake is a 225 acre all sports lake with reported depths of 48 feet. The lakefront is largely developed  with mainly year round homes and a small percent of seasonal cottages.

The Michigan DNR maintains a public access site with a hard surface boat launch site with parking and restrooms. The site is well marked and is located right off Stanton Road.

Turk Lake is located in Montcalm Township. You may have seen it alongside of M91, a few miles north of Greenville.

Turk Lake covers 151 acres and has reported depths of up to 20 feet.

As I was traveling around Turk Lake a few days ago, my eyes caught sight of this neglected dock and it made me wonder about the people throughout the years that had enjoyed the dock.

I imaged small, freckle faced boys jumping into the water, competing to see who could create the biggest splash. I imaged fathers and grandfathers sitting on the dock teaching the next generation to fish. I imagined mothers calling their kids in for dinner and the children reluctantly leaving the water to eat.

It reminded me that a simple dock could bring so much fun and bring families together. 

It’s Saturday. It is still summer and time to enjoy a Michigan lake.

Little Whitefish Lake is located in Pierson Township of  Montcalm County. This Michigan lake of 181 acres of surface water and has reported depths of 43 feet. It is close to neighboring Bass Lake and Big Whitefish Lake.

The lake is mostly developed, with a mix of cottages and year round home. The lakefront property owners have formed a lake association to care for the lake. The lake is well suited for all sports activity, as well as attracting fishermen. They report catches of catfish and walleye.

The State of Michigan maintains a public boat launch with a hard surface launch, parking and restrooms. The launch can be found on the southeastern side of the lake.

Six Lakes is located in Northern Montcalm County, Belvidere Township at the Intersection of M46 and M66. The village is named after the six lakes in the immediate area; First Lake, Second Lake, Third Lake, Fourth Lake, Fifth Lake and Sixth Lake. The out flow of these Michigan lakes form the beginning of the Flat River. Flat River is a short Michigan river which flows in the Grand River.

The top three things I like about Six Lakes are: the large summer flea market located on M66, the beautiful lakefront Belvedere Municipal Campground, and the great burgers at the Flat River Saloon.

The mystery to me regarding Six Lakes is why is it called Six Lakes when there are really seven lakes. If they had included Little Bass Lake, the village would have been named “Seven Lakes”.

Well, whatever the name, be sure to stop at see all 7 lakes on your tour of Michigan lakes.

Stanton is located at the crossroads of M 66 and  M 522 in central Montcalm County. Stanton serves as the county seat for Montcalm County and is home to the Montcalm County offices as well as the county court system and the county road commission.

There is a nice blend of old and new in Stanton.  From the turn off the century buildings on Main Street, to the more modern buildings that house Mc Donald’s, Subway, business offices and car dealerships.

Stanton is considered to be the gateway to Central Northern Michigan. There are several wonderful Michigan lakes within a ten minute drive of town.  Holland Lake, Half Moon Lake, Grass Lake, Derby Lake, Nevins Lake, Dickerson Lake, Crooked Lake, Loon Lake, Clifford Lake, Lake Stanton and Hemmingway Lake, as well as the Flat River all make for a quick escape after a busy day.

The Manistee National Forest extends over several Michigan counties: Lake, Manistee, Mason, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana and Wexford. The majority of  Newaygo County also lies within its district.

There is something for everyone including hiking trails (48 miles) and camping, horseback trails (35 miles) and ski trails, snowmobile trails (50 miles) and ATV trails (19 miles).

Within Newaygo County, the forest offers two developed campgrounds. Nichols Lake and Benton Lake campgrounds are less busy than a private campground or a state campground. These campgrounds are designed for those who really like to rough it, as electric and sewage hookups are not available.

You may chose to use the campsites on one of Michigan’s small lakes within the forest: Brush Lake, Condon Lake, Hungerford Lake, Sawkaw or Shelly lake. These sites are more rustic but generally have drinking water, garbage disposal and restrooms.

As with most attractions, there are fees involved: $3.00 for one day, $5.00 for up to seven days or $20.00 for the season. You can get more information by writing: District Ranger, 650 N Michigan, Baldwin Mi., 49304 or by calling 1-231-745-4631