Pickerel Lake is your Northern Michigan destination for rest and relaxation. 

Pickerel Lake is the smallest of the Inland Waterway lakes and is part of the Pickerel – Crooked Lakes watershed which covers over 50,000 acres. Together with Crooked Lake, Pickerel is a part of the headwaters of the Inland Waterway. The two lakes are connected through the Pickerel Channel.

Quick facts:

• Shoreline- 7.1 miles
• Max depth – 70 ft
• Surface area – 1,080 acres

Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga

In the early part of the 20th century, Jim Templin constructed Camp Pet-O-Se-Ga and named it in honor of the Odawa Tribal Chief – Bedosagay (pronounced as Petosega or Petoskey). The boys’ camp activities included archery, swimming, and camping. The camp was sold in the 1950s and became a camp for Jewish families. In 1992, Emmet County purchased the camp making it

Today, Camp Petosega offers RV and campsites, cabin rentals, a swimming beach and picnic area, a handicapped-accessible playground, miles of trails, and a rental hall or pavilion.

A lovely creek meanders through the property. You’ll find it called both Berry Creek and Cedar Creek.

Link to info.

Nature Preserves Near Pickerel Lake

Ray Johnston Nature Preserve

52-acre forest with more than a mile of trails and a public boat launch and beach nearby.

To get here, take Pickerel Lake Road to Ellsworth Road to Artesian Lane. There is a parking area and preserve sign.

On the north side of the Crooked-Pickerel Channel is the Black Hole Nature Preserve. It is found in the Eagle Beach Home Owner’s Association. Here, things to do include birding, wildlife watching (deer, snowy owls, sandhill cranes), and scenic views. This area offers quiet enjoyment for visitors on 3,900 feet of combined waterfront on both Crooked Lake and the Crooked-Pickerel Channel.

The Black Hole is a gorgeous place to stop and fish or enjoy lunch from your boat.

Cedar Creek

Cedar Creek runs right through Camp Petosega on the east end of Pickerel Lake, emptying into the lake on the north side of the beach area. It is said to be a good creek for trout fishing.

Ryde Marine offers boat rentals, slips, parts, and sales.

Real Estate

2021 Residential Real Estate Market on Pickerel Lake:

• Highest list price $1,499,000
• Highest sale price $1,350,000
• Average list price $802,233
• Average sale price $740,000

The average time spent on the market was 106 days.

For information on active listings contact us or search here.

Information provided by the Northern Michigan MLS (12/31/2021), interpreted by Coldwell Banker Fairbairn Realty.