Prickett Lake

Protecting Prickett Lake is equivalent to finding that last piece of a puzzle hidden under the coffee table and then placing it in its obvious spot to reveal the beautiful scene in its entirety.

Without that last piece, the puzzle would lack a sense of wholeness and connectivity. Without the conservation of Prickett Lake, the Ottawa National Forest would lack a piece of land vital to the surrounding natural systems, habitats, and recreation.

The U.S. Forest Service made protecting Prickett Lake a priority because it was an inholding—privately owned land within the federally protected area. Trust for Public Land collaborated with partners for four years to help conserve more than 1,200 acres in and around the lake.

Protecting the lake’s wild beauty and scenic quality is important to locals. Hunters, anglers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have enjoyed these lands for generations, says Nancy Warren, a resident of Ewen, about 30 miles from the lake. “This acquisition will ensure their public use forever.”

As an inholding, the natural state of Prickett Lake affects the lands around it, including part of the North County Scenic Trail, designated sections of the Wild and Scenic Sturgeon River flowing directly into Lake Superior, and one of the last remaining productive spawning areas for the threatened state fish, the lake sturgeon.

“Areas such as Prickett Lake play an important role in our ecosystems, communities, and hearts,” says Anthony Scardina, chief of staff for the U.S. Forest Service. “The opportunity for the Forest Service to work with our Michigan congressional delegation and partners such as Trust for Public Land to preserve this area is an honor. Not only does this acquisition preserve [land] surrounding Prickett Lake, but it is also helping to preserve wildlife habitat and recreational values in the adjacent Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness.”