Chippewa Lake, the biggest in the county
The largest natural lake in Mecosta County — 790 acres, 42 feet deep, one state launch, and the fish to earn it.
Tag: Fishing
The Martiny Chain and Haymarsh, nearby
Two public tracts a short drive from Chippewa Lake: a lake chain to fish and thousands of acres of game land to walk.
Chippewa Lake when the season turns
The boats come off after Labor Day, the color runs the hardwoods in mid-October, and the walleye keep biting into the cold.
Staying in Evart: the Muskegon River town in Osceola County
A small Osceola County city on the Muskegon River: the fishing, the quiet, and one loud July weekend of dulcimers.
The Muskegon River at Evart
Riverside Park straddles the Muskegon in Evart: two fishing platforms, a boat and canoe launch, a campground, and a summer livery.
Staying in Mecosta: the lake country of Mecosta County
A one-square-mile village ringed by more lakes than it has streets — and what all that water is for.
The Martiny Chain of Lakes
Eight lakes on one chain behind a 1950s dam, run by the state for ducks and bass. Where to launch, and when.
Mecosta after the lakes go quiet
The lakes empty after Labor Day, the color runs the hardwoods by mid-October, and the fishing doesn't stop.
A long weekend in Mecosta
A day-by-day plan around one Mecosta lake home: a beach day, a fishing morning, a fried-fish dinner, and the golf you can actually book.
The Hersey and the Muskegon near Reed City
A cold 21-mile trout stream, the wide river it feeds, and where to get on either one.