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Summer in the Mitten... There are few things more precious to outdoor-loving Michiganders
Paul Austin is a creative director and author who freelances for Thumbwind Publications. His real passion and creative outlet is researching historical sites and people with fascinating stories. You can find most of this work on Michigan4You.
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As a paddler, there is no better feeling than launching your kayak into a new lake—whether to take pictures, tug on some fish, or relax. Paddling within the metro region can quickly disrupt any serenity in the form of jet skis, power boats, or even a shoreline packed with houses... hell, I've even been chased by vicious swans. For anyone experiencing these particular misfortunes, I understand your pain.
Sure doesn't look like Metro Detroit, right?
It started with my first Memorial Day off work in years when Michelle and I chose to visit Island Lake State Park. We drove west among flocks of city slickers attempting to rationalize the #wanderlust hashtags, REI gear, and M-22 stickers. Together, we all envisioned regaining some form of sanity by eluding the concrete jungle before work the next morning.
Needless to say, Island Lake State Park's entrance welcomed us and dozens of other vehicles with a "LOT FULL" sign before noon. As I white-knuckled the steering wheel in disbelief, I had no choice but to improvise. My atlas showed a nearby lake with "carry-in" access, meaning no boat launch (which inherently means fewer people). We took off for yet another road trip, but this time, we were greeted by just one other car.
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We savored the oncoming hours with the lake entirely to ourselves, filling a cooler with slab crappie and bluegills. Sure, the remainder of the week called for a pound of aloe to medicate the sunburn, but the peace throughout our paddle was priceless (On MEMORIAL DAY... IN OAKLAND COUNTY!!!).
To help avoid my Island Lake debacle, I have compiled the best-kept paddling secrets in Metro Detroit. To devise the list, my criteria consisted of:
public access
minimal houses
no-wake/low boat traffic
plenty of scenery.
I also wanted to include lakes that do not appear on every generic "Metro Detroit Outdoor List," as these become busier than a Taco Bell on prom night. With this being said, here are Metro Detroit's Top 6 Secret Lakes for Paddlers:
PRINCE LAKE (OAKLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP)
Have you ever had the feeling you are the first person of the season to kayak a particular body of water? This was the exact impression I had upon arriving at Prince Lake. My morning was spent sharing the water with turtles, swans, and a heron, paddling among untouched lily pads as bluegills scattered on this peaceful morning.
Prince is shallow and somewhat swampy by the launch, scaring boats away like a DNR officer. Even fishermen are relatively unfamiliar with Prince, as online reports are sparse. The DNR notes Prince as an average bass/panfish lake, with decent numbers of Black Crappie being the draw in these shallow waters. The swampy shoreline portrays hints of southern River Deltas without the alligators or creepy banjo music.
LOWER TROUT LAKE (ORION)
Bald Mountain State Recreation Area is a paradise for paddlers, particularly at Lower Trout Lake, north of Auburn Hills. Unlike neighboring lakes, Lower Trout rarely drops more than 10 feet deep, creating extensive weed growth throughout the lake. Lower Trout is popular with kayakers, perhaps due to the weedy surface taming boat traffic.
Lower Trout may not be as desolate as other lakes on the list, yet it is a safe bet to have a relaxing paddle.
A popular beach sits on the lake’s south shore, yet the lake still provides scenery, lacking a residential area along the shoreline. I spoke with other kayak anglers during a recent trip, and they reported trophy bass being caught in the weedy waters. Small bluegill were everywhere throughout the lake as well... I’ll bet if they were Piranhas the beach would be much less popular.
DICKINSON LAKE- HOLLY
Dickinson is a nice change from the busier area of lakes
In the heart of Seven Lakes State Park, Dickinson greets incoming visitors with aqua waters as vehicles travel downhill towards the launch. At only 44 acres, the lake takes less than an hour to paddle at a relaxing pace. Dickinson's houseless setting and no-wake rule make it a spectacular place to bask in the sun or jump in for a refreshing swim.
It looks like an attempt at an album cover, but it is just taking in the joy of being quarantined from city life.
From my experiences, Dickinson rarely sees boat traffic, just occasional kayakers and paddleboarders. Hikers and small groups of anglers occasionally utilize the fishing platform on the lake's north side. Speaking of fishing, panfish and largemouth bass dominate the lake, but past walleye stocking presents an enticing opportunity. Seven Lakes is a phenomenal State Park and is also a paddler's dream.
MOORE LAKE- MILFORD
The first observable feature of Moore Lake is its rustic access. Located in Highland Recreation Area, a narrow dirt road leads to the gravel launch. Similar to Ford Field during the playoffs, it is rare to see more than one car (if any) in the parking lot. The shallow channel leading out to the two main lakes explains much of this. The thin waters can only be navigated by flat-bottom boats, canoes, and kayaks.
Moore's signature railroad tracks run parallel to the lower lake.
Once paddlers weave through the marsh and lily pads, there are two excursions to embrace on Moore's backwaters. The first is a bowl-shaped hole on the north side (over 25 feet deep), almost like a clear pond connecting to the narrow channel. The second stop on the itinerary is a paddle down the flooded riverbed to Moore's "main lake." Despite a few houses, I have not witnessed any boat traffic on Moore. The paddle is relaxing and is nearly all composed of wetlands, with turtles, herons, and waterfowl keeping company.
About to Snap Chat this hog Rock Bass she caught
I have personally landed some decent pike and bass here, roaming the clear waters of Moore Lake. A true gem for Metro Detroit residents, these backwaters of Pettibone Creek are perfect for any paddler seeking photo opportunities or just a lake to themselves.
CROOKED LAKE- CLARKSTON
Located within the 1200-acre Independence Oaks Park of Oakland County, the 68-acre Crooked Lake is relatively undeveloped with the exception of park structures (pavilion, nature center). There is a boat launch; however, the non-motorized enforcement provides a haven for paddlers of all kinds. The clear water drops down to almost 70 feet as the serene woods surrounding Crooked Lake give vibes of Northern Michigan.
On the very south end of the lake, a shallow bay forms where we have witnessed deer, waterfowl, and even some nice-sized pike chasing spinnerbaits. Bass and panfish are frequently visible from shore near the boat launch. Despite the $5 entrance fee for residents of Oakland County, the park is well worth admission. Independence Oaks also boasts a meticulously well-maintained trail circling Crooked Lake.
EAST AND WEST GRAHAM LAKES (OAKLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP)
The river channel leading to West Graham is narrow, taking guests far away from the city mindset
Nestled within Bald Mountain State Recreation Area lie two bodies of connecting water, known better by local hikers than those paddling it. Despite measuring only a combined 32 acres, East and West Graham give plenty of privacy, with infrequent traffic occurring on the fishing dock at the launch. The sounds of Red-Winged Blackbirds and Blue Herons only add to this Oakland County getaway.
This doe looked as if she had not seen a yak before!
The launch access is located on East Graham, with the west lake becoming accessible through a small channel that is too narrow to support a boat. The waterway leads paddlers through a 3-5 minute expedition surrounded by cattails and brush before opening up to the larger west lake. For fishermen, the lake hosts modest populations of panfish, bass, and pike roaming waters over 50 feet deep. Due to the added effort for entry, West Graham Lake is frequently visited as a River Rouge swimming hole.
In kayaking, kayak, canoe, canoeing, paddleboarding, SUP.
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Tags kayaking, kayak, metro detroit, detroit, canoe, canoeing, paddleboard, paddleboarding, sup, paddlers, paddler, secret lakes, secret lake, michigan kayaking, paddling michigan, kayak michigan
