Iron River Ranger District
Iron River is located in Iron County, in the western portion of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, just seven miles from the Wisconsin border. The border is shared with the Nicolet National Forest. The Iron River Ranger District is 138,000 acres in size. Recreation opportunities include two camping for fee campgrounds and two rustic campgrounds. Three wilderness areas are located on adjacent districts. The area's climate is truly unique for each season of the year. The weather is summarized as follows: 31 inches of average annual precipitation, 68 inches of snowfall, an average of 62 frost-free days, 59-degree F. average temperature May through September, and long cold winters.
Four-season recreation is Iron County's claim to fame. 2,175 lakes and 902 miles of streams offer unlimited challenges for both warm and cold-water fishing. Three rivers on the district have recently been designated as recreational rivers under the Wild and Scenic rivers Act. Northern hardwoods, pine, balsam fir, and spruce cover 80% of the county. More whitetail deer Boone and Crockett entries have been taken from the forests of Iron County than any other Michigan county. Add to this, the title of woodcock capital of the world and one cannot find any better small and big game hunting anywhere in the Midwest.
When winter arrives, it's no time to rest. 212 miles of snowmobile trails connect to a vast system of trails throughout upper Michigan and northern Wisconsin. The Iron River District, in cooperation with Covenant Point Bible Camp, grooms and maintains a Nordic ski trail, and Ski Brule, a major ski resort, is just minutes from town.
Passes & Permits
Passes
Interagency Passes are available for purchase at the District Office during office hours.
Permits
Firewood, Balsam Boughs, and Christmas Tree Permits are available for purchase at the District Office during office hours.
Complexes
Lake Ottawa Recreation area is in a beautiful forested northwoods setting located 5 miles southwest of Iron River, MI, on the Iron River Ranger District. Located in t
Bass Lake is a small lake located just east of Hagerman Lake but don't let the size fool you. There is plenty of good fishing on this lake.
Brule Lake located on the Michigan and Wisconsin border provides excellent fishing with a good variety.
Hagerman Lake located just to the south of Lake Ottawa offers a boat ramp on its southern side that will provide you with access to some real good lake fishing.
Recreation Sites
Bass Lake
Brule Lake
Golden Lake Campground
Hagerman Lake
Lake Ottawa Recreation Area
Paint River Forks Campground