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Andrus Lake

Chippewa County, Michigan Inland Lake Connected Water
1 launchRec Passport requiredIce fishing
Andrus Lake Access Map 1 launch
Click markers for details
Boat Launches on Andrus Lake
Andrus Lake State Forest Campground Boat Launch
Tahquamenon Falls State Park · Unimproved ramp, 1 lane, 2 trailer spots
Open Motorboat Kayak Rec Passport
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Connected Waterways

Andrus Lake is a small inland lake in Chippewa County's Lake Superior watershed. It sits in the low, sandy terrain between Paradise and Whitefish Point, an area dotted with small lakes and wetlands draining toward Lake Superior and Whitefish Bay.

Winter & Ice Safety

Andrus Lake is a small Upper Peninsula lake that likely freezes reliably through the winter. The area gets heavy snowfall and sustained cold temperatures. Ice fishing is possible but the lake is better known for its summer camping scene.

Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Andrus Lake?
Andrus Lake is in Chippewa County in Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, about 5 minutes north of Paradise and 5 minutes south of Whitefish Point. Tahquamenon Falls is roughly 25 minutes to the west.
Is there a boat launch on Andrus Lake?
Yes, there's one public launch on Andrus Lake. It's a small lake best suited for canoes, kayaks, and small boats rather than large powerboats. The launch has a 4.8-star Google rating.
Can you swim in Andrus Lake?
Yes. The lake has clear water and a beach area at the state forest campground. Reviewers describe it as great for swimming with kids and dogs. The water is clean and the sandy bottom is inviting.
Is there camping at Andrus Lake?
Yes — the Andrus Lake State Forest Campground is right on the lake with rustic sites, many of them lakeside. No electricity, pit toilets, tall fire rings, and large level lots. It's consistently rated as one of the best rustic campgrounds in the eastern UP.
When is the best time to camp at Andrus Lake?
July through October. Multiple reviewers warn that May and June mosquitoes are brutal — "flying vampires" is the phrase that comes up. Fall camping is popular too, with beautiful sunsets and hardly anyone around. October visitors report having the place nearly to themselves.
What is there to do near Andrus Lake?
Tahquamenon Falls State Park is about 25 minutes west. Whitefish Point — with its lighthouse and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum — is just minutes north. There are ORV trails in the area and Vermilion Point Nature Preserve is nearby for hiking.
What fish are in Andrus Lake?
Andrus Lake is a small, quiet lake more popular for camping and paddling than serious fishing. Panfish and bass are typical for small Upper Peninsula lakes of this type, but it's not a destination fishery.
Is Andrus Lake good for kayaking?
Yes. It's a small, calm lake with clear water — ideal for kayaking and canoeing. The campground provides easy water access from lakeside sites.
Scout's Notes
Lake Vibe & Fishing Intel

Andrus Lake is a small, quiet lake in Chippewa County's eastern Upper Peninsula — about five minutes north of Paradise and five minutes south of Whitefish Point. It's the kind of place people come back to year after year for rustic camping, not big-water action. The Andrus Lake State Forest Campground sits right on the water with lakeside sites, a sandy beach area, and clear water good for swimming and kayaking. Reviews consistently describe it as one of the best campgrounds in the eastern UP, with well-maintained grounds, tall fire rings, and level sites under mature trees. No electricity — this is pit-toilet, real-deal camping.

The location is what makes Andrus Lake punch above its weight. You're 25 minutes east of Tahquamenon Falls, minutes from Whitefish Point and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and surrounded by ORV trails. The lake itself is small enough that a canoe or kayak is the right boat — don't expect a powerboat scene. Fair warning from multiple reviewers: May and June mosquitoes here are legendary. The "flying vampires" will find you. Come July or later and you'll have clear water, stunning sunsets, dark-sky stargazing, and whippoorwills calling at night.

Sources: Wikipedia, Google Reviews, DNR data, campground & beach reviews, ShorelineScout enrichment