Colwell Lake
Colwell Lake is a seepage lake in Hiawatha National Forest in Schoolcraft County, near Steuben. It is known for northern pike, bluegill and black crappie, and has a forest service campground on the shore.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Northern Pike
Pike make up much of the fish weight in DNR surveys; keeping small ones is encouraged
Bluegill
Most common fish in the 2023 survey
Crappie
Black crappie were second most common
Largemouth Bass
Only a few were caught in the survey
Yellow Perch
Few caught in the survey
Boat launches
3 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- Colwell Lake boat ramp and launching pierRampHiawatha National Forest. Ramp and pier near the campground entrance, with parking and a trailer turn-around.Directions ↗
- Accessible fishing pierPublicNext to the campground and beach.Directions ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Pike Only one fish 24 inches or longer | See Michigan rules book ↗ | 5 |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
No shops listed yet for this lake. Use the search link below.
Search more bait shops near Colwell Lake ↗Local tips
- Keep undersized northern pike. The DNR encourages it to improve pike size.
- Fish the shallows for bluegill and crappie, since the lake is only about 20 feet deep.
- The campground may be closed at times, so check with the forest service before you go.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches.
More Michigan lakes
Torch Lake (Antrim County) Lake Charlevoix Burt Lake Mullett Lake Lake Gogebic Manistique Lake Black Lake Crystal Lake All Michigan lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.