The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is continuing a pilot program begun last winter to keep boating access sites plowed at more than two dozen Upper Peninsula ice fishing locations, including four in Marquette County. Shown here is an ice angler using an auger to cut a hole through the ice on Lake Superior. (Photo courtesy of the DNR)

MARQUETTE — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is continuing a pilot program begun last winter to keep boating access sites plowed at more than two dozen popular Upper Peninsula ice fishing locations.

Various local partners have agreed to assist the DNR with the program to ensure access to ice fishing opportunities in the U.P. are available consistently during snow conditions, the DNR announced.

The 25 locations — situated across 11 of the U.P.’s 15 counties — are DNR boating access sites managed for recreational boating.

“After we had continued requests from the public to maintain access throughout the winter, we partnered last winter with a number of entities to assist with plowing for winter access,” said Zack Bishop, a DNR Parks and Recreation Division unit supervisor, in a news release. “The effort to enter into agreements with each partner to try this concept worked out well. We have decided to continue the program again this season.”

The DNR said an evaluation will take place at the end of the winter, which will assess several issues such as how often the plowed sites are used and whether damage occurs to the access ramps, which has been a concern.

Locations to have boating access sites plowed this winter include:

≤ Baraga County: Vermilac Lake and Silver River

≤ Chippewa County: Conley Point

≤ Delta County: Little Bay de Noc

≤ Dickinson County: Lake Louise

≤ Houghton County: south entry of Portage Canal

≤ Iron County: Indian Lake, Swan Lake, Lake Mary, Lake Emily, Lake Ellen

≤ Keweenaw County: Gratiot Lake, Lake Medora and Lake Bailey

≤ Luce County: Little Lake Harbor, Kak’s Lake and Big Manistique Lake

≤ Mackinac County: South Manistique Lake, Big Manistique Lake and Millecoquins Lake

≤ Marquette County: Lake Michigamme, Greenwood Reservoir, Johnson Lake and Big Shag Lake

≤ Schoolcraft County: Big Spring Landing

Entities partnering with the DNR to clear the access sites include the county road commissions in Baraga, Chippewa, Dickinson, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette and Schoolcraft counties; Forsyth Township; Bayshore Resort Bait & Tackle; South Shore Fishing Association; and Gwinn Bait & Tackle.

Organizations or individuals interested in partnering to keep additional sites open if this pilot project continues next winter should contact Stacy Haughey at WellingS1@michigan.gov or 906-226-1331.

Advisory council meets

The DNR has taken other measures to improve outdoor recreation in the U.P.

Doug Rich, western U.P. supervisor for the DNR Division of Parks and Recreation District, reported at the Jan. 20 virtual meeting of the Western Upper Peninsula Citizens Advisory Council that attendance at state parks has been good.

From October to November, Recreation Passport sales were up 14%, he said, while camp nights for October to December were up almost 8%.

“So, we had a very well-rounded fall,” Rich said.

With that popularity, Rich suggested people make online reservations “if you want that private rustic cabin” in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

“A lot of our popular sites are really quite a challenge because we’re experiencing that kind of downstate pressure that we’re not normally seeing,” Rich said.

According to the DNR website, reservations may be made six months in advance. Visit www.midnrreservations.com or call 1-800-44PARKS.

Rich’s written report to the advisory council included these facts about local park areas:

≤ Baraga State Park had its highest camping numbers in over 20 years with over 10,000 camp nights in the 2021 season.

≤ Staff is working on project planning for Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant funding received for the Little Presque Isle tract within the Van Riper State Park Management Unit. Projects include new bridges and additional trail work.

≤ At Van Riper State Park, staff is planning upgrades to the Peshekee River Rustin Cabin, which are to come in late February and early March with assistance from the Lake Gogebic State Park crew.

≤ At Craig Lake State Park, staff inspected inspected and cleared the High Life Creek Trail late in the season. Planning is underway for improvements to the Large Cabin to restore it to its historical integrity.