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 Parking2 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
Lake Is Gone
This is the big one — Trout Lake has been drained and as of recent visits there's essentially no lake left. The water level dropped dramatically and hasn't recovered. Don't show up expecting to launch anything; you'll be staring at a mudflat.
Cinder Block Ramp
Even before the lake disappeared, the ramp was cinder block with only one lane and two trailer spots. This was always a small-boat-only situation — canoes, kayaks, maybe a 14-footer on a good day. Now it's completely useless with no water to launch into.
Tricky Navigation In
Google Maps will steer you wrong getting here. Ignore it and follow the posted DNR signs once you're in the area. The roads leading in are rough and poorly maintained, so take it slow if you're towing.
Weekend Crowds, Odd Vibe
Weekdays are peaceful, but weekends draw locals who use the campground more like a party spot. A few lakeside sites seem semi-permanently claimed by the same groups all summer. If you're just coming to launch and fish, stick to weekday mornings — assuming the lake ever comes back.
Check Before You Go
Seriously, call the Clare Field Office before making the drive. There's hope the lake will eventually refill naturally, but nobody has a timeline. This used to be a gorgeous hidden gem for quiet fishing trips, and it's heartbreaking to see it like this. Until the water returns, there's nothing here for boaters.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews
About This Lake
Trout Lake →