Recreation at Little Platte Lake

If you seek a great place for boating, fishing, birding or simply enjoying nature, Little Platte Lake is hard to beat. 

Boating

Little Platte Lake is a quiet lake adjacent to a large cedar swamp and a slow moving stream.  As such, it is a perfect lake for kayaks, canoes and rowing shells, as well as motorized craft such as small fishing boats and pontoon  boats.  Because it is a shallow lake with a good amount of silt and muck, it doesn't serve well for long-shaft, large horsepower motor boats.  

Boaters should be aware of Michigan Boating Laws and Responsibilities enforced on the lake by the Benzie County Sheriff's Marine Patrol.  Violations of these rules should be reported by calling (231) 882-4484 or 911 for emergencies.

Fishing

And if fishing is the main reason for your visit, you have plenty of opportunity for catch-and-release fun or to land your next trophy specimen.  Check out the Little Platte Lake 2018 Fisheries Survey just released by the DNR.

Need more proof?  Check out the Gallery of images page, Fishing section.  This photo will take you there, too.

If you're already convinced, then here's a link to the Michigan DNR  lake map to help you find your favorite hot spot.

Birding

If your thing is birds, in our area it would be hard to find a better venue than Little Platte Lake. The lake is part of the Benzie Bonus Loop of Michigan's Sleeping Bear Birding Trail.  You will want to check out the eastern side of the lake, as well as the Dead Stream that flows from the southeastern corner of the lake to Platte River. Birds to look for include eagles, loons, ducks, herons and kingfishers, among others. For further information about our loons and other birds see the Birds of Little Platte Lake page.