Believe it or not, in Michigan you’re never more than six miles away from a lake, river or other water source. And with so many lakes, rivers, lighthouses, beautiful shorelines and historical sites, there’s always something fun and water-related to do. That’s one of the reasons Michigan draws more than five million visitors per year! In this article, we’ll explore Hamlin Lake, the largest man-made lake in Michigan.
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The Lakes of Michigan
Michigan belongs to the Great Lakes Region of the United States. One of the things that makes Michigan unique is that it’s the only US state that’s split into two unconnected pieces that are not islands, but an upper and a lower peninsula. Back when Michigan was still working on becoming a state, they got into a fight with Ohio over the ownership of the city of Toledo. Ohio ended up winning Toledo, but the United States government compensated Michigan with the Upper Peninsula instead.
As a consequence of these historical shenanigans, Michigan borders four of the five Great Lakes and has the longest coastline of any of the Great Lakes states, but it also has more than 11,000 inland lakes! Lakes are important not only to the state’s geography and history, but to its economy. It’s estimated they create around 1.5 million jobs for the citizens of Michigan, including jobs connected with recreation, such as fishing, boating, picnicking, and more.
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The Largest Man-Made Lake in Michigan
Hamlin Lake is the largest man-made lake in Michigan. It was built in the 1850s by a sawmill that dammed up the Big Sable River before it reached Lake Michigan. Hamlin Lake measures twelve miles long and two miles wide and covers a total area of 5,350 acres. It is divided into two sections separated by a shallow narrows. The lower section to the east is 34 feet deep, but the western section reaches a depth of 80 feet. Ludington State Park and Manistee National Forest border the lake.
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Wildlife Near Hamlin Lake
Fish species in Hamlin Lake include bass, perch, bluegill, crappie, pike, walleye, northern pike, and muskie, among others. Nearby Ludington State Park is an excellent place to look for wildlife, with diverse ecosystems of sand dunes, forests, and wetlands. Bird watchers may spot the mute swan, Canada goose, wild turkey, bald eagle, ring-billed gull, red-bellied woodpecker, pileated woodpecker, common raven, tufted titmouse, and northern cardinal. Visitors often spot small mammals, such as raccoons, chipmunks, or otters, and the occasional bear even wanders around the park. However, the park is quite popular and busy in the summer months so animals may shy away from trails at those times.
What to Do at Hamlin Lake
Hamlin Lake makes a great vacation destination. It is located right next to Lake Michigan, separated only by a narrow isthmus of sand dunes. This makes a great beach for sunning on either lake. Hamlin Lake is smaller of course and its water is warmer in summer, so it can be a better choice for swimming than Lake Michigan, especially if you’re trying to keep your eye on active children. Boating, canoeing, and fishing are all popular at Hamlin Lake, including ice fishing in winter. Many state park trails begin and end at the lake. The trails are generally easy, well-marked, and family friendly. Hundreds of campsites are available in the neighboring state park. The lake is located four miles north of Ludington, Michigan with opportunities for shopping and entertainment, a children’s museum, mini golf, and more.
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If you enjoy history, wildlife, hunting, fishing, watersports, or simply exploring the unknown treasures the American north has to offer, Michigan’s lakes are a great place to start. And with its huge variety of natural and man-made entertainments, Hamlin Lake is the perfect place you never knew you wanted to visit!
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