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 Parking4 spots · gravel
Vehicle-Only2 spots
FeeMI Recreation Passport (annual, on vehicle registration)
HoursOpen at all times
RestroomsVault toilet (1)
Not Available Fish cleaning · Fishing pier · Pier
Scout's Notes
Ramp Quirks & Etiquette
Tiny & Secluded
This is a small, tucked-away lake inside Onaway State Park — don't expect a crowd. With just 4 trailer spots and a single lane, it's really suited for small boats, kayaks, and canoes. If you're looking for solitude, this is your spot.
Bluegill Central
The lake is loaded with small bluegills, but don't get too excited — most of them are stunted and spotted up. If you're chasing trout, good luck. They're supposedly in there, but they play hard to get.
Keep It Small
One lane, no frills. You can get a 14-footer in without much fuss, but anything bigger and you're going to be wrestling with the approach. The ramp is basic and the turnaround area is tight with a trailer.
Worth The Drive
The access road into the park is well-maintained but winding. Signage to the lake itself can be a little vague once you're inside the park — if you hit a fork, bear left toward the water. The scenery alone makes it worth finding.
Sources: DNR GIS data, Google Reviews
About This Lake
Bear Den Lake →