Indian Lake State Park

Indian Lake is the Upper Peninsula's fourth-largest inland lake, up to five miles long and three miles across. Big Spring (Kitch-iti-kipi) and Manistique are nearby. The park is in two parts, south and west. The South Unit has the main day-use area, the most popular campground, the picnic area (handicap-accessible), the boat launch (also accessible), and a long, sandy beach with developed handicap access. The bottom drops off very gradually—good for wading. But it means you need a boat to get out where water is deep enough to fish. Fishing is good for walleye and perch.

The setting here is more suburban, with grass that's mown rather than wild and natural. The whole lake is quite shallow and therefore warms up sooner than most Upper Peninsula inland lakes. The paved path and benches along the lakeshore are well used at sunset. They are a big hit with people who can't negotiate bumpy terrain.

Call for program times and topics of the popular Outdoor Explorer program of hikes, nature games, etc. The short Chippewa Trail next to the big South Shore Campground has some interpretive signs about trees and endangered species.

8970 West CR 442, 4 miles west of Manistique. From U.S. 2 at Thompson, turn north onto
M-149; south unit is in 3 miles. Or, from Manistique, take CR 442/Deer St. Continue straight where M-94 turns north. (906) 341-2355. Recreation passport required: $10/year for Michigan residents. Or $8/day for others or $29/year for others. michigan.gov/indianlake Wheelchair-accessible: changing house, picnic area, hiking trail, boat launch.
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POINTS OF INTEREST

Big Spring (Kitch-iti-kipi). One of Michigan's most enchanting sites, this deep, clear spring in a pine-cedar forest is viewable from a raft visitors pull themselves ... more

Christmas Tree Ship Memorial. Legendary sinking of schooner carrying Christmas trees to Chicago in 1912 memorialized in this shoreline park ... more

Thompson State Hatchery. Millions of trout, walleye, and salmon call this home until they're big enough to stock Midwestern lakes and streams. Visitors can view the indoor tanks, outdoor raceways, and show ponds with giant trout. Signs and photos show the destruction and restoration of fish habitat in the U.P. ... more

Indian Lake State Park. The lake here is up to six miles long and three to four miles wide, fourth largest inland lake in the U.P. Good walleye and perch fishing. The shallow lake warms up early for swimming ... more

Rainey Wildlife Area. Boardwalks and an observation platform provide good bird-watching perches on the northeast side of Indian Lake. Songbirds are abundant in spring ... more

Bishop Baraga Mission at Indian Lake. This peaceful park on Indian Lake commemorates the "Snowshoe Priest" with a memorial chapel and a version of an Odawa bark house he had built at his mission here. There's a lakefront observation deck, too. ... more

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