Houghton Lake (Michigan)
Encyclopedia
Houghton Lake is a large lake
in Roscommon County
. The unincorporated community of Prudenville
is at the southeastern end of the lake, while the unincorporated communities of Houghton Lake
and Houghton Lake Heights
are on the southwest and west shores. It is the largest inland lake in the state of Michigan, and one of the largest natural inland lakes in the United States (many man-made impoundments are much larger). The lake is approximately 7½ miles (12 km) north to south, and about 4½ miles (7 km) at it widest point. Houghton Lake has c. 30 miles (48 km) of total shoreline and its waters cover 20,044 acres (81 km²). It is an extremely popular resort and fishing area year round. Houghton Lake is the site of Tip-Up-Town USA, a large ice fishing
and winter sports festival with several events on the frozen waters of the lake itself. Houghton Lake is named after the first state geologist, Douglass Houghton
who explored the area.
The lake receives the waters of Higgins Lake
through the Cut River
and, in turn, is the headwaters for the Muskegon River
, which flows out of the North Bay in the northwest corner of the lake. The lake is partially within four townships: Markey Township
on the northeast, Denton Township
on the southeast, Roscommon Township
on the southwest, and Lake Township
on the northwest. The lake is mid to late mesotrophic in profile, and considered to be a warm water, shallow lake, with the average depth being 7½ feet. The deepest spot is a small hole in East Bay that has been sounded to 22 feet (6.7 m), but it is rare to encounter depths of greater than 17 feet (5.2 m) in the lake. The lake offers almost every species of game and panfish
found in Michigan with the exception of the trout/salmon families, the sturgeon, and white bass. Common catches include northern pike
, bluegill
, walleye
, crappie
, yellow perch
and both largemouth bass
and smallmouth bass
.
M-55
follows the southern shore, while US 127
passes just to the west. M-18
and I-75
pass just to the east.
Houghton Lake is notable for the annual winter carnival, Tip Up Town USA http://www.tip-up-townusa.com/cgi-bin/tutusa2006/index.html, which is held during two consecutive weekends in January. The name for the festival originated from the flag-like devices - "tip ups", used for ice fishing. The USA was added later. Tip Up Town Badges, required for entry to the Tip Up Town site on the south shore of Houghton Lake, are sold annually at local businesses.
Houghton Lake is located at 44°20′20"N 84°43′30"W.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
in Roscommon County
Roscommon County, Michigan
-Local attractions and activities:The community is centered in the area of two very large lakes, in the middle of large state forests. Wildlife are nearby, including bear, deer, eagles, Kirtland's Warblers, and turkeys. Local attractions and activities include:...
. The unincorporated community of Prudenville
Prudenville, Michigan
Prudenville is an unincorporated community in Denton Township, Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is a Census-designated place for statistical purposes...
is at the southeastern end of the lake, while the unincorporated communities of Houghton Lake
Houghton Lake, Michigan
Houghton Lake is an unincorporated community in Roscommon Township, Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The Census Bureau has defined a census-designated place for statistical purposes with the same name. The population was 3,749 at the 2000 census.The community is situated on the...
and Houghton Lake Heights
Houghton Lake Heights, Michigan
Houghton Lake Heights is a small unincorporated residential community located at on the southwestern shore of Houghton Lake.-Founding:The community began about 1883 as a lumbering settlement with the operations of the S. C. Hall Lumber Company. Because of its elevation, it was called "The Heights"...
are on the southwest and west shores. It is the largest inland lake in the state of Michigan, and one of the largest natural inland lakes in the United States (many man-made impoundments are much larger). The lake is approximately 7½ miles (12 km) north to south, and about 4½ miles (7 km) at it widest point. Houghton Lake has c. 30 miles (48 km) of total shoreline and its waters cover 20,044 acres (81 km²). It is an extremely popular resort and fishing area year round. Houghton Lake is the site of Tip-Up-Town USA, a large ice fishing
Ice fishing
Ice fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
and winter sports festival with several events on the frozen waters of the lake itself. Houghton Lake is named after the first state geologist, Douglass Houghton
Douglass Houghton
Douglass Houghton was an American geologist and physician, primarily known for his exploration of the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.-Early life and education:...
who explored the area.
The lake receives the waters of Higgins Lake
Higgins Lake
Higgins Lake is a large recreational and fishing lake in Roscommon County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 9,900 acre lake is known for its deep, clear waters and is the 10th largest in Michigan with a shoreline of . It is named after Sylvester Higgins, Michigan's first chief of the...
through the Cut River
Cut River
Cut River is a small, short river in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The 4-mile river runs along the boundary between Hendricks Township and Moran Township, with the mouth on Lake Michigan about two miles east of Epoufette and about four miles west of Brevort.It drains part of...
and, in turn, is the headwaters for the Muskegon River
Muskegon River
The Muskegon River is a river in the western portion of the lower peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The river has its headwaters in Houghton Lake in Roscommon County, flowing out of the North Bay into neighboring Missaukee County. From there it flows mostly southwest to Muskegon, Michigan,...
, which flows out of the North Bay in the northwest corner of the lake. The lake is partially within four townships: Markey Township
Markey Township, Michigan
Markey Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 2,424 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
on the northeast, Denton Township
Denton Township, Michigan
Denton Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,817 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
on the southeast, Roscommon Township
Roscommon Township, Michigan
Roscommon Township is a civil township located in southern Roscommon County, Michigan at the south end of Houghton Lake. The population was 4,249 at the 2000 census....
on the southwest, and Lake Township
Lake Township, Roscommon County, Michigan
Lake Township is a civil township of Roscommon County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,351 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
on the northwest. The lake is mid to late mesotrophic in profile, and considered to be a warm water, shallow lake, with the average depth being 7½ feet. The deepest spot is a small hole in East Bay that has been sounded to 22 feet (6.7 m), but it is rare to encounter depths of greater than 17 feet (5.2 m) in the lake. The lake offers almost every species of game and panfish
Panfish
A panfish, also spelled pan-fish or pan fish, is an edible game fish that usually doesn't outgrow the size of a frying pan. The term is also commonly used by anglers to refer to any small catch that will fit in a pan, but is large enough to be legal. However its definition and usage varies with...
found in Michigan with the exception of the trout/salmon families, the sturgeon, and white bass. Common catches include northern pike
Northern Pike
The northern pike , is a species of carnivorous fish of the genus Esox...
, bluegill
Bluegill
The Bluegill is a species of freshwater fish sometimes referred to as bream, brim, or copper nose. It is a member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae of the order Perciformes.-Range and distribution:...
, walleye
Walleye
Walleye is a freshwater perciform fish native to most of Canada and to the northern United States. It is a North American close relative of the European pikeperch...
, crappie
Crappie
Crappie is a genus of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of order Perciformes. The type species is P. annularis, the white crappie...
, yellow perch
Yellow perch
The yellow perch is a species of perch found in the United States and Canada, where it is often referred to by the shortform perch. Yellow perch look similar to the European perch, but are paler and more yellowish, with less red in the fins. They have six to eight dark, vertical bars on their sides...
and both largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
The largemouth bass is a species of black bass in the sunfish family native to North America . It is also known as widemouth bass, bigmouth, black bass, bucketmouth, Potter's fish, Florida bass, Florida largemouth, green bass, green trout, linesides, Oswego bass, southern largemouth...
and smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
The smallmouth bass is a species of freshwater fish in the sunfish family of the order Perciformes. It is the type species of its genus...
.
M-55
M-55 (Michigan highway)
M-55 is a state trunkline highway in the northern part of the US state of Michigan. M-55 is one of only three state highways that extend across the Lower Peninsula from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan; the others are M-46 and M-72. The highway crosses through rural forest and farmlands to connect...
follows the southern shore, while US 127
U.S. Route 127
U.S. Route 127 is a long north–south United States highway in the eastern half of the United States. The southern terminus of the route is at U.S. Route 27 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The northern terminus is at Interstate 75 near Grayling, Michigan...
passes just to the west. M-18
M-18 (Michigan highway)
M-18 is a north–south state trunkline highway in the Lower Peninsula of the US state of Michigan. It runs for through the central region of the state connecting US Highway 10 near North Bradley with M-72 in rural Crawford County near the community of Luzerne...
and I-75
Interstate 75
Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
pass just to the east.
Houghton Lake is notable for the annual winter carnival, Tip Up Town USA http://www.tip-up-townusa.com/cgi-bin/tutusa2006/index.html, which is held during two consecutive weekends in January. The name for the festival originated from the flag-like devices - "tip ups", used for ice fishing. The USA was added later. Tip Up Town Badges, required for entry to the Tip Up Town site on the south shore of Houghton Lake, are sold annually at local businesses.
Houghton Lake is located at 44°20′20"N 84°43′30"W.