55 Tomahawk Creek Flooding 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Nutrient-poor, sandy soils and a jack pine-oak forest with scattered stands of red pine and aspen, characterize this portion of the Mackinaw State Forest. 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
Montmorency County 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.