Lake Michigamme, one of Michigan

Michigan

Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....

's largest lakes, reaches a depth of over 70 feet (21.3 m).. It covers 4292 acres (17.4 km²) in Marquette

Marquette County, Michigan

-National protected areas:* Hiawatha National Forest * Huron National Wildlife Refuge* Ottawa National Forest -University:Northern Michigan University is a four-year university, established in 1899, located in Marquette, Michigan, on Michigan's Upper Peninsula...

 and Baraga

Baraga County, Michigan

-National protected areas:* Keweenaw National Historical Park * Ottawa National Forest -Demographics:As of the 2000 census, there were 8,746 people, 3,353 households, and 2,223 families residing in the county. The population density was 10 people per square mile . There were 4,631 housing units...

 County, Michigan. Van Riper State Park

Van Riper State Park

Van Riper State Park is a park located in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, west of Ishpeming on US-41. It lies partly in Michigamme Township and partly in Champion Township, both in Marquette County...

provides public access. The vast majority of the lake lies in Marquette County, with only its westernmost part extending into Baraga County.

The lake runs about 6 miles (9.7 km) east to west, with a southern arm extending about another 4. A dam separates the Michigamme river from the main body of the lake at the end of the southern arm. The Spurr river flows into the lake's west end and the Peshekee river flows into the lake in the north east. Van Riper State Park and Van Riper beach are located at the eastern shoreline of the main arm. The lake is speckled with many islands and rock beds that often creep over the waterline in late summer and fall.

Common fish include Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Rock Bass, and even Whitefish in the deeper parts.