Craft & Seasonality
✓
Motorboat ✓
Kayak / Canoe ✓
Jet Ski / PWC ✗
Large Boat ✗
Winter Access Site Details
Conditions change rapidly due to water levels, prop wash, and weather. Always visually inspect before backing down.
RampUnimproved, 1 lane
Trailer Parking3 spots · gravel
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
HoursOpen at all times
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier · Restrooms · Pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
Small Boats Only
No motorized boats allowed on Hoister Lake, so this is strictly kayak, canoe, and paddleboard territory. The single lane is more of a dirt/gravel dropout than a proper ramp — don't even think about backing a big trailer down here.
Three Spots, That's It
With only 3 trailer spots, you're really looking at a first-come situation on summer weekends. Weekday mornings you'll have the place to yourself, but Saturday by 10am you might be improvising. There's some shoulder space nearby but nothing official for overflow.
Middle Of Nowhere
This lake is deep in state forest land off unmarked or poorly marked dirt roads. If you don't have GPS coordinates loaded up before you leave, you'll be wandering logging roads for a while. Cell service is spotty to nonexistent out here, so download your maps ahead of time.
Crystal Clear Spring-Fed
The water is spring-fed and absurdly clear — you can see bottom across most of the lake. That clarity is the main draw and what keeps people coming back. It also means the fishing is mediocre since there's not a ton of structure or nutrients, but for paddling and swimming it's hard to beat anything in Gladwin County.
Lake Level Fluctuations
DNR drained the lake not long ago to fix the water control structure, so be aware that levels can change. After they restored it things have been looking good, but spring levels may still be settling in. Worth checking conditions with the Clare Field Office if you're making a long drive.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews
About This Lake
Hoister Lake →