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Tomahawk Creek Flooding

Presque Isle County, Michigan Inland Lake Connected Water
2 launchesRec Passport requiredIce fishing
Tomahawk Creek Flooding Access Map 2 launches
🎣 Fishing Guide → Click markers for details
Boat Launches on Tomahawk Creek Flooding
Tomahawk Creek Flooding East Boat Launch
Onaway State Park · Unimproved ramp, 1 lane, 10 trailer spots
Open Motorboat Kayak Rec Passport
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Tomahawk Creek Flooding West Boat Launch
Onaway State Park · Paved ramp, 1 lane, 22 trailer spots
Open Motorboat Kayak Large Boat Rec Passport
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Connected Waterways

Tomahawk Creek Flooding was created by impounding Tomahawk Creek, which flows through the area. The creek system connects to the broader northeast Lower Michigan watershed. Nearby Tomahawk Lake and the flooding are distinct but related water bodies in the same drainage.

Winter & Ice Safety

Tomahawk Creek Flooding is shallow and freezes early and reliably each winter. Ice fishing for northern pike is popular here, and the light pressure means you'll likely have plenty of room to spread out. Always check current ice conditions, as floodings with creek inflow can have variable ice near moving water.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a boat launch at Tomahawk Creek Flooding?
Yes, there are two boat launches on the flooding, both with adequate parking. The launches are suitable for small boats, canoes, and kayaks. Be aware that the flooding has significant standing timber and stick-ups, so navigating requires care — this isn't a place for running a big outboard wide open.
Are there campgrounds near Tomahawk Creek Flooding?
Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground is right next to the flooding and offers rustic sites — pit toilets, no electricity, no hookups. Shoepac Lake State Forest Campground and Clear Lake State Park are also nearby if you want something with more amenities. Clear Lake State Park has a proper beach as well.
How deep is Tomahawk Creek Flooding?
The flooding is shallow throughout — reviewers consistently describe it as shallow water, which is typical of creek floodings created by impoundment dams. Expect most of the water to be well under 10 feet, with standing timber and submerged stumps throughout.
Can you swim at Tomahawk Creek Flooding?
This isn't really a swimming destination. The water is shallow and full of submerged timber and stumps. If you want a beach, nearby Clear Lake State Park and Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground both have designated swimming areas.
Is Tomahawk Creek Flooding crowded?
No — this is one of the quieter fishing spots in northeast Michigan. Multiple visitors describe it as peaceful with very few people around, even during summer. It's a fishing-focused destination that doesn't attract the recreational boating crowds.
Can you canoe or kayak Tomahawk Creek Flooding?
Absolutely, and many regulars prefer paddling here. A canoe or kayak lets you navigate through the stick-ups and flooded timber that make this water so productive for fishing. It's a great paddle-fishing experience if you don't mind threading through structure.
Scout's Notes
Lake Vibe & Fishing Intel

Tomahawk Creek Flooding is a shallow, flooded impoundment in Presque Isle County — the kind of quiet, woody, off-the-beaten-path water that northeast Michigan does well. Created by damming Tomahawk Creek, the flooding is filled with standing timber, stumps, and stick-ups that make it outstanding habitat for warmwater species but tricky to navigate in a boat. Regulars report excellent bluegill fishing (keepers in the 7–8 inch range), plus largemouth and smallmouth bass and an abundance of northern pike. The shallow water and flooded timber give it a swampy, wild feel — more canoe-and-kayak territory than a big-motor lake.

There are two launch sites with good parking, and the adjacent Tomahawk Lake State Forest Campground offers rustic sites for multi-day fishing trips. Reviewers consistently describe this as a peaceful, lightly-visited spot — "very few people around" comes up repeatedly. The flooding freezes reliably and draws ice anglers targeting pike through the winter. Nearby Clear Lake State Park and Shoepac Lake add options if you want to explore the area, but Tomahawk Creek Flooding itself is a fishing-first destination with a loyal, multi-generational following.

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