Photo by Rex Miller

Elk
Elk were common to the Lower Peninsula of Michigan in presettlement times and disappeared from Michigan soon after 1875. Seven Rocky Mountain elk were released in Cheboygan County in 1918. The herd grew to about 1,500 elk in an area of 600 square miles during the early 1960s. These elk caused crop damage and reforestation problems which prompted the first public hunts for Michigan elk in 1964 and 1965, when 477 elk were taken by hunters.

Elk numbers stabilized in the late 1960s, but began to drop in the early 1970s, because of poaching and a brainworm disease. By 1975, the herd numbered approximately 200 animals. The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) increased elk protection through expanded enforcement efforts and enlistment of public support. 

Michigan presently enjoys an elk herd estimated at 1,100 animals before each calving season. When the population climbs over 1,400 or so, they migrate out of the forest area and into farmland, causing heavy crop damage. Recreational hunting has helped keep elk populations in balance with the range, while preserving a sizable herd for viewing opportunities.

Split seasons for elk hunting were held in 1988-1995, except for 1991. September and October hunts were needed in those areas where it was difficult to attain hunting access to elk in December. The early hunts were also designed to remove elk on private agricultural lands near Johannesburg and Vienna, where elk were outside the desired range. The desired elk range is wild land in parts of Cheboygan, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Montmorency counties. Elk outside of this area are not desired because of potential crop damage and difficulty in controlling herd numbers.

Although the elk management program is not designed to emphasize trophy animals, several spectacular bulls have been taken by hunters. The dressed-weight record for a bull was established in 1995. During the September season, Steven Whittenbach of Greenville shot a bull that weighed 830 pounds, field-dressed. The heaviest cow (508 pounds) was taken in 1988 by Mark S. Roodbeen. According to Commemorative Bucks of Michigan, Inc., the largest elk with typical antlers was taken in 1991 by Matthew Bellamy, with a Boone and Crockett score of 348 7/8. The largest nontypical elk (375 2/8) was taken by Bob Solomon in 1993. Two elk taken in 1989 and aged by layers in teeth, were found to be 22 years of age.

Elk calves are born in late May and early June. The usual birth is a single calf, with twins being very rare. Calves weigh about 25 to 30 pounds at birth. Cows stay apart from other elk until the calf is two to three weeks old. Then, cows, young bulls, and calves gather in groups. In some cases, a few cows may act as "baby sitters" and watch as many as 20 calves, while their mothers graze elsewhere.

Mature bulls spend the early summer in small groups of five or six. In August, bulls polish their antlers and are ready for the breeding season or "rut" in September. Bulls form "harems" of 5 to 20 cows and drive off young bulls. Dominant bulls have larger harems than bulls that are weaker. Bulls make a low whistling sound or "bugle" during this time to challenge other bulls and to note their territories. Breeding in Michigan ends in October.

After the rut, elk form large wintering groups. Elk seem less susceptible than deer to winter starvation. Elk are about four times the size of deer and are less restricted by heavy snow. Browsing on young tree shoots in winter, MSU studies have shown some impact on the regrowth of aspen in the area.

The Michigan elk herd, unlike those in many western states, contains a high percentage of bulls in the fall. In some years, more than one-third of the fall herd may be antlered bulls. In some seasons, more than one-fourth of the bulls taken by hunters will have 12 or more antler points. This high proportion of bulls creates much summer enjoyment to forest visitors in northern Michigan. Elk viewing is especially good in mid-September when elk are bugling and forming harems.

Recreational hunting of elk is important to  carefully  keep elk in balance with their range. The DNR will continue to consider the interests of agriculture, forestry, tourism, and nonhunting wildlife enthusiasts in managing elk to attain the goal of a "viable elk population in harmony with the environment, affording optimal recreational opportunity."
 
 

Wild Turkey

Upland Bird Hunting
There is nothing like spending beautiful fall days in the woods with a bird dog or two and a fine shotgun on one's arm. Upland bird hunting is a pleasure that many sportsmen look forward to every year.

Montmorency County is approximately half public forest land, and offers upland bird hunting. Ruffed grouse and woodcock find the many stands of regenerating aspen good habitat, and when it turns cold, they find shelter in and under pines, firs and balsams. A variety of wild berry shrubs and wild crabapple trees are food sources to be hunted.

Bird hunters look for habitat that is thick enough to give cover to the birds, yet just open enough to walk through and get a wing shot through. Many of the aspen stands that were clear-cut six to twelve years ago make ideal bird habitat. If the weather has been dry, working the brush along streams is often productive.

There is good grouse and woodcock habitat all over the area. A few popular spots are the Greasy Creek Grouse Area, a series of cuttings in various age classes, off M-33 and Co. Rd. 612 at the south end of the county. North on M-33, the area north of the Channel Six Tower and east of Canada Creek Ranch is good hunting country with a wide variety of tree types and ages.

Woodcock found early in the season are local birds, and as cold weather in Canada pushes southward, flight birds migrate through the area. At dusk one can often hear and see woodcock heading for heavier cover habitat after a day feeding in more open country.

Grouse are usually year-around residents of the area, and the population goes up and down on approximately a seven year cycle. The population has been in its high cycle in 1998 and 1999 seasons. 
 

Area Fish

Fish Species In Area Lakes
Avalon, 372 acres, northwest of Hillman, has public access off County Road 459. Very clear, clean lake, has been stocked with Rainbow Trout and Splake, also good Perch and Smallmouth Bass fishing.

Avery, 175 acres, between Atlanta and Lewiston, has public access (two) off Avery Lake Road, including state campgrounds. Good producing lake for Perch, Bass and Pike, a few Walleyes. Year around successes reported.

Bear Den Lake, 11.8 acres,  north of Atlanta west of M-33. Very shallow lake, some pan fish and bass.

Big Bear Lake, 350 acres, Meridian Line Road south of Vienna. Has Tiger Muskie, Northern Pike, Walleye and pan fish. Large state forest campground, beach and boat launch.

Big Wolf Lake, 236 acres, southeast of Lewiston. Shallow lake, with pan fish, Perch, Bass and Pike.

Clear Lake, 133 acres, north of Atlanta, State Park campground and access, also public beach and picnic grounds. Cold, clear spring-fed lake with stocking of Rainbow Trout, Splake and Largemouth Bass.

Crooked Lake, 46.5 acres, south of Atlanta with public access off County Road 489 and public beach off County Road 487. Good for Bluegills, Crappies, Pike, Bass and Perch. Some Walleye planting done.

Crystal Lake, 10 acres, public access off Winding Road northwest of Lewiston, public land shoreline. Popular Bluegill lake.

DeCheau Lake, 25.4 acres, north of Atlanta, access and a small beach off DeCheau Lake Road. Pike and Largemouth Bass, Perch and Bluegill.

East Town Corner Lake, 5 acres, off County Road 622 northwest of Atlanta, public access, public land shoreline. Numerous Pike, but often small. Largemouth Bass and good Perch success reported.

East Twin, 974 acres, in Lewiston, public park, beach and access, large sandy-bottom lake, much of it shallow, some deeper parts. Fished for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Perch and Bluegills, with some Walleye and some Trout and Splake caught.

Ess Lake, 114 acres, northwest of Hillman. Campground, public access, good Perch lake, with some Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass and a few Walleye. Access only off campground entrance road.

Fletcher Pond, 8,970 acres, south of Hillman. Public access off Jack's Landing Road, also access and services at numerous resorts. Excellent Northern Pike fishing, good Perch fishing year around, with Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass among the stumps and flooded stream beds. An all-family fishing lake with pan fish and the big ones. Fletcher's offers good duck hunting in the fall, as well.

Foch Lake, 27.5 acres, northwest corner of Montmorency County, access off Black River Road. Dam for duck habitat combined a series of small lakes, and good for Pike, Bass, Bluegills and Perch.

Gaylanta Lake, 115 acres, west of Atlanta, public access off M-32. Largemouth Bass, Bluegills and some nice Northern Pike.

Grass Lake, 950 acres, west of Hillman off County Road 624. Has public access, good Pike, Perch, Crappie, Bullhead and Largemouth Bass fishing. Good duck hunting in the fall. Reed beds, sandy bottom.

Hidden Lake, 3 acres, off Winding Road north of Lewiston. Public access, surrounded by public land, shallow but has Largemouth Bass.

Jackson Lake, 25.3 acres, public access and state forest campground, off M-33 north of Atlanta. Lots of Perch, some Northern Pike, also Bluegills and Largemouth Bass.

Lake Fifteen, 89 acres, southwest of Atlanta. Public access off Ryan Road. Cold, clear water, good Trout lake with Smelt, Rock Bass, Perch and Bass. 

Little Brush Lake (Hiawatha), off County Road 624 northeast of Atlanta. Some public shoreline, with Bluegills, Bass and Pike.

Little Wolf Lake, 92.5 acres, south of Lewiston, state forest campground. Some Pike, Bass and Bluegills, abundant Perch, nice family fishing lake. Access by foot only.

Long Lake, 294 acres, northwest of Hillman. Public  access off North Shore Drive, has been stocked with Rainbow Trout and has some Walleye, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Perch and Bluegills. Clear water, sandy bottom, some deep areas, some reeds, submerged stump habitat.

Lower Tomahawk Lake, 9.2 acres, part of Rainy River Flooding on north county line. Flooded for duck habitat, has some pan fish and Pike. Shallow, occasional winter kill.

McCormick Lake, 100 acres, northeast of Lewiston, public access and some campsites off McCormick Lake Road. Cold and deep, has Rainbow, Brook and Brown Trout and Smelt for winter fishing.

Morningstar Lake, 3 acres, secluded Bluegill lake on public land south of Atlanta.

Mud Lake, 12.3 acres, north of Atlanta off M-33. Southern part of the Tomahawk Flooding, has excellent Largemouth Bass among standing trees, along with Bluegills, Bullheads and Perch.

Rush Lake, 224 acres, north of Atlanta off County Road 624. Two public sites, public land around much of it. Known for good size Northern Pike, Large and Smallmouth Bass, Bluegills and Perch. A variety of structure and weedbeds.

Sage Lake, 51.2 acres, east of Lewiston off County Road 612. Brookies and Rainbow. Pan fish and Bass in the weeds and shallows. Camping area not improved and usually quiet, secluded.

Spectacle Lakes, 9 acres, north of Lewiston. A series of small lakes in beautiful wooded setting, some with access, and Largemouth Bass, Bluegill and some Pike. Trout in connecting streams.
 
 

Fish In Rivers and Streams
Thunder Bay River: Upper reaches between McCormick Lake and Lake Fifteen are Trout water, with access points at various bridges. The flooding at Atlanta is Perch, Bluegill and Northern Pike water, with winter fishing above the dam. Between Atlanta and Hillman there is a variety of water, with Trout in deep pools and in ripples, Rock Bass, pan fish and Pike elsewhere. Emerick Park, Hillman, is a popular access site. Below Hillman the river widens, still with a variety of water and fishing.

South Branch of the Thunder Bay River, flows into Fletcher Pond and connects with Cole Creek, Bullock and Webber Creeks. Trout water, but few access points in hunting club area.

North Branch of the Thunder Bay River, flows out of Rush Lake and through farming country in northeast corner of county. Trout in shady areas and deep holes, many road access sites.

Gilchrist Creek, North Branch, south of Atlanta with access at M-33 and adjoining roads has good Brook and Brown Trout, with some Rainbows. Access points at bridges.

Hunt Creek east of Lewiston has Brooks and Browns, and a few Rainbows out of the Thunder Bay. Open to fishing below the Fisheries Research Station, but not within their study area.

Crooked Creek flows out of Avery Lake through public land to Crooked Lake. Brook Trout and other varieties depending on habitat.

East Branch of the Black River has numerous public land access points, runs deep and dark in many places, and has Brook Trout.

Canada Creek, access to upper reaches off County Road 622, has good Brook and Brown Trout fishery. Other varieties where it runs through Muskellunge and Valentine Lakes, although shoreline is private there and through Canada Creek Ranch.

Miller Creek, access at M-32 and on public land in upper reaches, has Brook, Brown and some Rainbow Trout. Some marshland, waders needed.

Brush Creek, west of Hillman, with a number of access points, has Brook Trout, many marsh areas.
 
 

Links

Michigan Department Of Natural Resources Online

Northeast Michigan Weekly Fishing Report

Game Species Hunting Information

Michigan State Parks