Michigan’s Backyard

Water

Enjoy the serenity of over 79 lakes in Michigan’s Backyard. The sunrises and sunsets will make you gaze and smile at the beauty and wonder of nature. We ask, when you visit Michigan’s Backyard, to take only pictures and leave only paddle marks. Keep our wonderful lakes and rivers as beautiful for the next visitors.

BOATING & FISHING

Boating

The recreation on the larger lakes will bring laughter as you water ski, tube and jet ski with the fresh wind in your face. It is a great place to start a family tradition as your kids learn to enjoy the water activities as much as the parents. Make memories in Michigan’s Backyard.

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.

Boat Launches

Whether you are looking to fish or for recreation, we have many boating spots for you.

Please check out below!

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.

CANOEING / KAYAKING

Kayaking

While you are quietly kayaking through the smooth as glass water, deer will greet you at the lake as they sneak in to get a drink. Life slows down for a short time in Michigan’s Backyard.

Canoeing

The Loons will pop up unexpectedly as you glide across the lakes. It is a quiet place to live and its peacefulness will overcome paddlers. We guarantee you will not want to leave Michigan’s Backyard.

The clear, fresh waters of the Cedar River begin in Northern Gladwin County. It first flows north into Roscommon County, then returns south running through the cities of Gladwin and Beaverton along the way picking up additional flows from a series of lakes including Trout Lake, Streaked Lake, and Blue Lake. The West Branch of the Cedar River converges with Cranberry Creek which brings water from Arnold Lake and Cranberry Lake. It then joins the faster moving waters of the Middle Branch for the Cedar River and merges with the North Branch. The now fastmoving river combines with five other streams including Howland Creek. The river has several dams forming lakes along its way to converge with three branches of the Tobacco River and ultimately forms Ross Lake on the southern end in Beaverton where a new trailhead is under construction, and the Rotary Splash Park is located lakeside.

Today the Cedar River, its lakes and tributaries, is home to great fishing and recreational activities. Northern Pike, Largemouth Bass, and Yellow Perch have been caught in the waters along the river. South of Wiggins Lake there are canoe launches at the Gladwin County Recreation Area and at Chappel Dam. In Gladwin, Riverwalk Place Resort and & Spa sits on the riverbank. A pathway connects the Cedar River to the Gladwin Campground, beach, and picnic area, only a short walk to the restaurants and shops of downtown Gladwin.

The Trail of Two Cities parallels the Cedar River and will eventually connect with the Iron Belle Trail to the North and Pere Marquette Trail to the South.

Since the Native Americans navigated the Cedar River hundreds of years ago, and European settlers came for the forests, a journey along the Cedar River Corridor through Western Gladwin County has provided access wildlife habitats, and natural resources for hunting, trapping, fishing, foraging, and photography. Today it is a great place to visit the outdoors to canoe, kayak, hike, and for homes and cottages.

The Cedar River is one of many navigable rivers to canoe and kayak in Michigan’s Backyard.