Michigan’s Backyard
Sports
FISHING
When the fish jumps out of the water the adrenaline will flow as you reel in the big one. Now imagine the family memories you will make with your children as they catch their first fish. Come discover your secret spot in Michigan’s Backyard.
| Lake | Parking | Ramp | Restrooms |
| Hoister Lake | 5 | 3 | Yes |
| House Lake | 5 | 3 | Yes |
| Lake Four | 5 | 3 | Yes |
| Lake Lancer | 36 | 1 | Yes |
| Pratt Lake | 10 | 2 | Yes |
| Ross Lake | 10 | 1 | Yes |
| Secord Lake | 15 | 2 | Yes |
| Secord Lake East | 3 | 3 | No |
| Trout Lake | 2 | 3 | Yes |
| Wiggins Lake | 18 | 2 | Yes |
| Wixom Lake – Temporarily Closed | 60 | 1 | Yes |
ELK LAKE – 65 acres in size, approximately 47 feet deep at its deepest point, Elk Lake is the place to hook Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish & Sunfish.
HOISTER LAKE – This 23 acre lake is approximately 29 feet deep at its deepest point. Look for a variety of fish including Bluegill, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass and Yellow Perch.
INDIAN LAKE – Located in Northern Gladwin County near Elk Lake & Mud Lake, Indian Lake’s 51 acres are home to quite a selection of fish: Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Panfish, & Pumpkin Seed Sunfish.
LAKE FOUR – When fishing Four Lake’s 35 acres, anglers can anticipate a catch of a mixture of fish including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Yellow Perch.
LAKE LANCER – An 850 acre all sports lake, fishermen can anticipate catching a wide range of fish including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. In mid-summer, Lake Lancer is home to a parade of boats. Each boat and crew decorated in a theme, it is a spectacle to behold.
PRATT LAKE – With a 180 acre surface and a depth of approximately 28 feet, you can expect to hook a plethora of fish including Bluegill, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, and Crappie.
ROSS LAKE – Nestled in the city of Beaverton, this 294 acre lake is approximately 15 feet deep at its deepest point. When fishing, fishermen can expect to catch an assortment of fish including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass and Pumpkin Seed Sunfish. The Cedar River and the South Branch Tobacco River feed into the lake and Tobacco River on the southside of the Beaverton Dam. Boat Launch at Ross lake Park.
SECORD LAKE – Approximately 40 feet deep at its deepest point, Secord Lake has 815 acres of great fishing. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch.
SMALLWOOD LAKE – At 232 acres and up to 20 feet deep, you can expect to find Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, and Walleye.
TROUT LAKE – This 28 acre lake is approximately 19 feet deep at its deepest point.
WIGGINS LAKE – Wiggins Lake is home to Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. Wiggins Lake is 345 acres and reaches a depth of 25 feet.
WiIXOM LAKE – At 1,980 acres and approximately 40 feet deep at its deepest point, when fishing, anglers can expect to catch quite a variety including Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Walleye and Yellow Perch. The boat Launch is in All Bright Shores, Dundas Road, Stryker’s Marina.
GOLFING
Three Great Courses to Challenge You
Lakeside Golf
The 9-hole Lakeside Golf Course in Gladwin, Michigan is a public golf course that opened in 2000. Lakeside Golf Course measures 3284 yards from the longest tees.
Sugar Springs Golf Club
The course at The Sugar Springs Golf Club has been rated at three stars by Golf Digest and listed as one of the 25 Best Public Courses in Michigan by The Michigan Golfer. Enjoy pristine greens where the deer graze while you play through. It’s a course you’ll enjoy playing, time after time: 18-holes, 6,737 yards, designed by nationally renowned golf course architect Jerry Matthews. Always impeccably groomed.
Gladwin Heights Golf Course
Gladwin Heights Golf Course is a charming, well-maintained 18-hole course with rolling hills and tree-lined fairways. Golfers of all levels will enjoy the competitive layout.
HUNTING
Gladwin County is quaintly nestled in the center of Michigan between highways I-75, US-10, and US-127. Within a tank of gas from anywhere in lower Michigan, the 86,470 acres of public land and 473 miles of streams and rivers truly make our community “Michigan’s Backyard”.
Tourists and recreation enthusiasts have enjoyed the beauty and wealth of wildlife in Gladwin County for decades. Over the years, thousands of them have made this their permanent home or now own a second residence in this gem of nature.
Wildlife abounds throughout the county. On a typical day, one may see squirrels, rabbits, turkeys, partridge, woodcock, pheasant, racoon, opossum, porcupine, bald eagles, and hundreds of species of birds. On occasion, the elusive bobcat, fox, coyote or bear will be seen crossing the road or strolling across the back yard of an unsuspecting homeowner.
Hunting is a “right of passage” as evidenced by the hundreds of young enthusiasts in Gladwin who participate in the Michigan Hunter Education Program each year. Recent laws have made it easy for parents and mentors to introduce the sport of hunting to their young boy or girl. Local newspapers are filled with the proud and smiling faces of children of all ages who have successfully harvested one of the many game animals found in our forests.
As summer comes to an end and the colorful beauty of the trees as their leaves begin to show evidence that fall is near, the woods come alive with the sound of hounds pursuing their quarry. In early fall, the chatter of a weary squirrel in the sights of a patient hunter will surely excite the old and young alike. The classic look of a pointer dog locked on a partridge is proof of the many hours a hunter spends training his “best friend”. Beagles sense the coming snow and eagerly await the chase of cottontail and snowshoe rabbits. The action is steady and frequent success draws the hunter back to the woods weekend after weekend until spring magically appears before the sting of winter is noticed.
Trappers are often seen along our hundreds of miles of streams and rivers or wading the shores of one of 79 lakes found in our county. Their skills are shared with youngsters seeking to learn about our heritage of fur harvesting. Beavers, mink, muskrats and other furbearing animals are found in good numbers along water sources on private land and in marshes, lakes and streams commonly found on the thousands of acres of public land in Gladwin.
The growing number of bears in the area is celebrated by wildlife lovers. Their solitary nature makes them relatively rare to see, but the evidence of their inhabitance is witnessed, on occasion, when their incredible noses lead them to the tasty morsels left by those feeding birds during the spring and summer. Hunters have found great success in harvesting trophy bruins here in Michigan’s Backyard.
Trees become “second homes” for many bowhunting enthusiasts beginning in October. The opener of the firearm deer season is a “national holiday” in Gladwin and is celebrated by the closing of schools on November 15th, allowing our young hunters the opportunity to enjoy their newfound passion. Deer numbers are plentiful and trophy bucks lure the dedicated hunter into the forests throughout the fall and until a new year is celebrated.
The coldest days of the year won’t deter the hardy hunter from pursuing the many game animals commonly found in Gladwin County. Dog boxes full of eager hounds are commonly seen until the end of March. Bobcats, fox, and coyotes are crafty critters and encourage sportspeople and their dogs to give chase to them all winter long. Electronic calls have also become a common means to draw an unsuspecting animal into range.
Wild turkeys are seen in great numbers around the county. Often appearing somewhat domesticated, turkeys give the novice hunter a false sense of confidence that the hunt will quickly be successful. However, its keen eyesight and weary nature make the tom turkey a true challenge to hunt and a trophy to harvest during this spring hunt. Frequent success and the beauty of our community have drawn turkey hunters from across the state for decades.
Come to Gladwin! Enjoy the beauty of nature and take advantage of the amazing hunting opportunities available in our backyard.
ORV
The state land on the east side of Gladwin County ORV Trail & Route is very sandy and wooded. It can be very wet in spots depending on the time of the year. ORV Routes are maintained at a width of 72” in the area open to all ORVs. ORV Trails are open only to ORVs up to 50” in width. Motorcycle Trails are maintained at a width of 24” on the ground and 40” at handlebar height (only 2 wheeled motorcycles are permitted). There are connector trails and roads that link trail systems together.
SNOWMOBILING
Snowmobile the Meredith Snowmobile trail and other trails throughout Michigan’s Backyard.
SWIMMING
You can choose from many beaches in Michigan’s Backyard from Beaverton’s Ross Lake to Pratt Lake to Secord Lake and Wixom Lake. The water will cool off the youngest and oldest. The minnows will nibble on your toes, the deer will walk past, and you may see a beaver or mink swim on the shoreline. This is Michigan’s Backyard. If not swimming in one of our pristine lakes or rivers, there are two indoor swimming pool options, Sugar Springs has an indoor saltwater pool and the Rivertown Inn has an indoor pool in the mitten shape of Lower Michigan!
Michigan's Backyard
Address
608 W Cedar Ave
Gladwin, MI 48624