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Milakokia Lake

Mackinac County, Michigan Inland Lake Connected Water
2,008.3 acres26 ft deep1 launchRec Passport requiredIce fishing
Milakokia Lake Access Map 1 launch
Depth Map → Click markers for details
Boat Launches on Milakokia Lake
Milakokia Lake State Forest Campground Boat Launch
Newberry Field Office (PRD) · Paved ramp, 1 lane, 15 trailer spots
Open Motorboat Kayak Large Boat Rec Passport
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Connected Waterways

Quarry Creek is the primary inflow feeding Milakokia Lake. The lake serves as the headwaters of the Milakokia River, which flows south and west into Lake Michigan. The surrounding Milakokia Lake Management Area encompasses nearly 14,400 acres of state land across Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties.

Winter & Ice Safety

Milakokia Lake's shallow depth — 26 feet max with most of the lake well under 10 feet — means it freezes reliably and relatively early in winter. Ice fishing for pike and perch is viable. Always check current ice conditions locally, as inflows from Quarry Creek and the Milakokia River outflow can create thin spots.

Frequently Asked Questions
How big is Milakokia Lake?
Milakokia Lake covers 1,956 acres in Mackinac County in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The bottom is mostly flat with a maximum depth of 26 feet, though much of the lake is considerably shallower — locals report large areas under 10 feet.
What fish are in Milakokia Lake?
Northern pike, yellow perch, walleye, and bluegill are the main catches. Pike and perch seem most commonly reported. The lake is shallow and weedy, so finding the few deeper holes — particularly in the southeast corner — is key to better fishing.
Is there a boat launch on Milakokia Lake?
Yes, there's one public boat launch located at the Milakokia Lake Campground, a state-managed rustic campground. Reviewers describe it as a nice launch area. The lake is well-suited to small boats and kayaks given its shallow profile.
Can you swim in Milakokia Lake?
Yes. Multiple campsites have sandy beach access directly to the lake, and reviewers consistently describe a nice sandy bottom for swimming. The shallow depth means the water warms up well in summer.
Is there camping on Milakokia Lake?
Yes — the Milakokia Lake Campground is a rustic state campground right on the lake. Many sites sit directly on the water with private sandy beach access. It's vault toilets and hand-pump water, no electric hookups. Sites to the left of the boat launch tend to be the waterfront ones. There's also Byce's Michihistrigan Campground nearby.
Where is Milakokia Lake located?
Milakokia Lake is in Newton Township, Mackinac County, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. It sits within the Milakokia Lake Management Area, about 14,387 acres of state-owned land. The nearest small community is Gould City along US-2.
Is there a quarry near Milakokia Lake?
Yes — a large active limestone quarry sits to the west of the lake. Reviews are mixed on the impact: some campers report significant noise from 24-hour quarry operations (trucks, backup alarms), while others say it's not noticeable. Your experience may depend on which campsite you pick and wind direction.
Can you ice fish on Milakokia Lake?
The lake's shallow depth (26-foot max, mostly much shallower) means it freezes reliably in winter, making ice fishing feasible. Pike and perch would be the primary winter targets.
What is the Milakokia River?
The Milakokia River flows out of Milakokia Lake and empties into Lake Michigan. Milakokia Lake is the headwaters of this river system. Quarry Creek feeds into the lake as its primary inflow.
Scout's Notes
Lake Vibe & Fishing Intel

Milakokia Lake is a 1,956-acre lake in Newton Township, Mackinac County — a big, shallow, quiet Upper Peninsula lake that tops out at just 26 feet with a mostly flat bottom. Fed by Quarry Creek and serving as the headwaters of the Milakokia River, which flows into Lake Michigan, the lake sits within the 14,387-acre Milakokia Lake Management Area, a large swath of state-owned land spanning Mackinac and Schoolcraft counties. That public land buffer keeps the surrounding area wild and undeveloped on the state side, though private cabins line portions of the shoreline.

Fishing runs to pike, perch, walleye, and bluegill — locals say to find the few deeper spots for the best action, since much of the lake is well under 10 feet. The single boat launch is at the state campground, which is rustic but well-reviewed (4.9 stars) with sandy beach access on many sites and clean outhouses. One thing to be aware of: a large active limestone quarry sits to the west of the lake, and some campers report significant noise from 24-hour quarry operations, while others say it's barely noticeable. Loons, eagles, and kingfishers are regularly spotted. This is an escape-from-everything kind of lake — no marinas to speak of, minimal development, and a long drive from anywhere busy.

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

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