Osprey Roost
Hillman, Michigan
Fletcher
Pond is a wonderful and wild place for outdoor fun.
Montmorency County, east of Gaylord, contains one of the
most remarkable bodies of water in Michigan, and this is in
a state known as a water wonderland. Also known as the
Fletcher Flooding, this body of water has something for
everyone except sandy beaches. Fletcher Pond is an
impoundment, created by the construction of a dam, on one
branch of the Thunder Bay River. A 9,000 acre shallow water
paradise is the result. This is the perfect destination for
bird watchers, fishermen and nature enthusiasts. There are
no vast sandy beaches and about the only spot where you can
fish from shore is the public launch on Fletcher Landing
Road.
This is a relatively unspoiled area, with little development on the water, and just a few lodging establishments on the shore itself. The water is shallow and full of stumps, trees and even part of a sunken railroad. The result is a perfect environment for fish to thrive. Six pound bass are here and the northern pike regularly exceed 30 inches. The heavy cover in the water and the stumps also make the pond unpopular for jet skis or large powerboats; though power fishing boats are used along the river bed. Consequently, this is one of the quietest places in Michigan to fish, canoe or kayak.
Osprey abound here. In fact, this is one of the largest populations of osprey east of the Mississippi River. There are more than 20 osprey nesting platforms. The best way to observe them is from a boat with binoculars. There is nothing quite like seeing an osprey come exploding up out of the lake after it dives after a fish. It is really awesome, unless that was the fish you were after. The bird watchers love this place. In addition to the osprey, there are egrets, geese, all kinds of ducks, and herons. The Hillman area offers the best of Michigan nature areas.
The monthly newsletter is published on the 1st of each month and is delivered by email, www.travelinmichigan.com .
The monthly newsletter is published on the 1st of each month and is delivered by email, www.travelinmichigan.com .
