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Ospreys,
also known as fish hawks,
nest on man-made platforms over the water.
Photo: MI DNR and MontmorencyCounty Sportsman's Club
Nutrient-poor, sandy soils and a jack
pine-oak forest with scattered stands of red pine and aspen, characterize
this portion of the MackinawStateForest.
Water from Tomahawk Creek has been impounded to form a broad, shallow
lake that proves wonderful habitat for wetland-related wildlife. Habitat
management for elk and deer on state forestlands in the vicinity of the
lake has created many different age classes of forest stands, plus many
large grassy openings. This forest habitat diversity attracts a wide
variety of breeding songbird species. Trail roads crisscross the sandy
ridges and rolling hills that surround the lake offering good access to
nearby state forestlands.
Wildlife
Viewing
Photo: MI DNR and MontmorencyCounty Sportsman's Club
This peaceful setting provides the perfect
backdrop for viewing nesting loons and osprey in May and June. Watch them
from the two campgrounds on the shoreline with binoculars or a spotting
scope, or for a better look, try a boat or canoe ride from one of the flooding’s two boat ramps. Do not approach or disturb
nesting loons or ospreys! Bald eagles also nest near this large flooding.
Water levels in the flooding fluctuate seasonally, more so than in nearby
lakes. This often exposes wide sandy shorelines during the drier summer
months, which are used by wading birds and migrating shorebirds. The dead
snags on the flooding are good sites to see a variety of woodpeckers and
tree swallows. Habitat management for elk and deer and other forest
wildlife on state forest lands in the general vicinity of the lake has
created many different forest age classes, plus created many grassy
openings. This diverse habitat attracts a wider variety of breeding
songbird species. The flooding lies within the Clear Lake Kirtland’s
Warbler Management Area. Jack pine-oak stands in this special management
unit, particularly south and east of the flooding, are intensively
managed for the endangered Kirtland’s warbler and the dozens of other
wildlife species that benefit from this special jack pine ecosystem
management. A wide diversity of songbirds are found in the different aged
jack pine and oak areas resulting from this management, and in turn,
offer excellent wildlife viewing from mid-May through mid-July.
This area is open to public
hunting. Contact the Michigan Department of Natural
Resources for affected seasons and locations.
Directions
From Atlanta,
drive north on M-33 about 15 miles until you see signs for the campground
at Tomahawk Lake Road.
Turn right (east) and follow the signs.
Ownership: Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta
Management
Unit, (989) 785-4251
Restrooms
– pit toilets available at two state forest campgrounds on the lake. Trails – marked
hiking trail with trailhead at campground on northeast side of lake, also
many two-track roads for hiking. Camping – two state forest campground in northeast and northwest
shores of lake, nightly camping fee required. Boat Ramp - at each
state forest campground. Drinking Water –
hand pumps at state forest campgrounds, seasonally. Fishing - panfish, bass and pike. Hunting – state
forestlands open.
Ospreys,
also known as fish hawks, 
Wildlife
Viewing 
