Ruth Lake is a small inland lake in the Lake Superior watershed in Baraga County. Craig Lake State Park and several other small wilderness lakes — including Beaufort Lake and Keewaydin Lake — are in the surrounding area, though they are separate water bodies rather than a connected chain.
As a small lake in Baraga County, Ruth Lake freezes reliably and typically holds good ice through the UP's long winter. Always verify ice thickness locally before heading out — conditions can vary even on small lakes.
Where is Ruth Lake in Michigan?
Is there a public boat launch on Ruth Lake?
What fish are in Ruth Lake?
Can you swim in Ruth Lake?
Are there campgrounds near Ruth Lake?
Can you see the northern lights from Ruth Lake?
Is Ruth Lake worth stopping at on US-41?
Ruth Lake sits in Baraga County in the Upper Peninsula, right along the US-41/28 corridor — making it one of the more accessible lakes in a region where "remote" is the default setting. The lake is small and quiet, with a single public launch and a near-perfect 4.9-star rating from visitors who consistently mention the scenery and fishing. There's a picnic area and a resort on the lake, but this isn't a crowded destination — it's a stop-and-soak-it-in kind of place where you might catch your first aurora borealis on a clear night.
Craig Lake State Park is nearby, which tells you something about the neighborhood — this is deep UP wilderness country with minimal light pollution and serious solitude. The Beaufort Lake State Forest Campground and Keewaydin Lake Yurt offer rustic camping options in the area. Fishing gets solid mentions from visitors, though specific species aren't well-documented. The highway-side viewpoint makes it easy to pull over and glass the lake for waterfowl even if you're just passing through.