Gun Lake (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gun Lake |
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Gun Lake, Michigan, at sunrise.
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 Gun Lake
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Barry / Allegan counties, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 42°36′N 85°31′W / 42.600°N 85.517°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,680 acres (10.8 km2) |
Gun Lake is a large lake in the state of Michigan, United States. Most of the lake is in Barry County. A small part of it reaches into Allegan County. Many people have summer homes, cottages, and permanent houses along the lake's shores.
The Yankee Springs Recreation Area is located on the northeastern side of Gun Lake. There is also a State Park at Gun Lake. This park has a boat launch, two beaches, a campground, and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
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What Makes Gun Lake Special?
Gun Lake has a unique shape, like a butterfly. It has two main parts that look like butterfly wings. This makes it easy to explore different areas of the lake.
Islands and Coves
In the southeastern part of the lake, there is an island. People used to call it "Party Island." Its official name is Orangeville Island. Many boats gather near the island on weekends. This is because the water around it is shallow and sandy.
Besides Orangeville Island, there are other popular spots. These include Pickerel Cove on the southern shore and Bairds Cove. You can also find many channels that extend from the main "butterfly" shape of the lake.
Fun All Year Round
Gun Lake is a very popular place for tourists in the summer. Shops and businesses around the lake welcome many visitors during this time.
Even in winter, there are fun activities. People enjoy events like Winterfest, which sometimes includes a "polar bear dip." Ice fishing is also a common sight when the lake freezes over.
Fish and Other Creatures
Gun Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. You can find:
- Black Bullhead
- Black Crappie
- Bluegill
- Bowfin
- Brown Bullhead
- Green Sunfish
- Largemouth Bass
- Longnose Gar
- Muskie
- Northern Pike
- Rock Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Spotted Gar
- Walleye
- Yellow Perch
You can also find Crayfish in the lake. These freshwater creatures live in the shallow areas during summer. This is when their young are growing.
Walleye and Other Fish Populations
Gun Lake is well-known for its large population of Walleye. Even though they are famous, Walleye make up a smaller part of the lake's fish. Bullheads are the most common type of fish found in Gun Lake. Many different species live together peacefully in the lake.
Lakes Nearby
Gun Lake is connected to other lakes and rivers. An inlet connects it to nearby Payne Lake. It also leads to special ponds where fish are raised.
The water from Gun Lake flows into the Gun River. The Gun River then connects to the Kalamazoo River. Finally, the Kalamazoo River flows into Lake Michigan, one of the Great Lakes.
The largest lake close to Gun Lake is Long Lake. A small tunnel was built under the road between Gun Lake and Long Lake. This makes it easy to travel between the two lakes.
