Otsego Lake (Michigan)

Otsego Lake is located in northwest Michigan at 44°57′20″N 84°41′32″W / 44.95556°N 84.69222°W / 44.95556; -84.69222 (Otsego Lake),^[1] south of the city of Gaylord in Otsego County. The lake spans the boundary between Otsego Township to the south and Bagley Township to the north. Otsego Lake State Park is located on the southeast shore of the lake and Otsego County Park is on the northwest shore. The lake has many private cottages and homes with direct access to the lake and parks.

History

In 1942, which was the year of World War II, Lake Otsego was the home of Arthur Compton. Arthur Compton was awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 1941 for his work with the x-Ray. Shortly after receiving the award he was put on the Manhattan Project working on the atomic bomb.^[2]

Dimensions

Otsego Lake is 1,972 acres (7.98 km²), and 5 miles (8.0 km) long and 1 mile (1.6 km) at its widest. In general, it is a shallow lake averaging about 6-8 feet in most places, with a maximum depth of approximately 25 feet (7.6 m) in a few spots. The bottom shoal composed of sand and light gravel forms many "drop-offs" and holes. The lake is full of vegetation which is submerged at the bottom of the lake with very few floating vegetation.^[3]

Lake activities

There are an abundance of boats that frequent the lake during the busy times of year which bring along many skiers and boarders, as well as many tubing activities. Fisherman can also be seen scattered throughout the lake as well as the occasional seaplane. You may even spot an American Bald Eagle which has lived in the wooded area behind the eastern shore for many years.

Fish

• Muskelunge
• Lake Sturgeon
• Northern pike
• Largemouth bass
• Smallmouth bass
• Rock bass
• Bluegill
• Yellow perch
• Pumpkinseed sunfish
• Walleye

See also

• List of lakes in Michigan

References