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Lac La Belle, Michigan facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Lac La Belle (pronounced LACK luh-BELL) is a small community in Keweenaw County, Michigan. It's called an "unincorporated community" because it doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. Instead, it's part of a larger area called Grant Township.

This area was once very important for copper mining. Long ago, Lac La Belle had a special factory called a "stamping plant." Here, rocks dug from copper mines like Mendota and Delaware were crushed. The crushed copper was then loaded onto large ships called "freighters" to be taken away.

Quick facts for kids
Lac La Belle, Michigan
Signage for Lac La Belle
Signage for Lac La Belle
Lac La Belle, Michigan is located in Michigan
Lac La Belle, Michigan
Lac La Belle, Michigan
Location in Michigan
Lac La Belle, Michigan is located in the United States
Lac La Belle, Michigan
Lac La Belle, Michigan
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Michigan
County Keweenaw
Township Grant
Elevation
610 ft (190 m)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code(s)
49950 (Mohawk)
Area code(s) 906
GNIS feature ID 629926

The Lake and Its Wildlife

Lac La Belle is named after a beautiful lake. In French, "Lac La Belle" means "Lake The Beautiful." This lake is about 30 feet deep on average. It connects to Lake Superior at a place called Bete Gris. Water flows out through a natural channel and a man-made canal.

The canal was dug in the 1860s. Copper mining companies paid for it. This allowed large freighters to carry copper ore from the mines.

Fish in the Lake

The lake is home to many kinds of fish. You can find northern pike and walleye. There are also smallmouth bass, perch, and bluegill. Other fish include sunfish, rock bass, and carp. Sometimes, a large muskie can be spotted.

Rivers and Waterfalls

Several smaller waterways flow into Lac La Belle. The Little Gratiot River is one of them. Many creeks also feed into the lake. A small park in the community has a pretty waterfall called Haven Falls. It's on Haven Creek, which also flows into the lake.

Haven Falls, Lac La Belle, Michigan
Haven Falls, on Haven Creek in the town of Lac La Belle

Fun Things to Do

Lac La Belle is a popular spot for visitors. Many people come here in the summer. They stay in summer cottages or at resorts. The area has thick forests and small mountains.

Outdoor Adventures

If you love hiking, there are guides who can take you through the wild areas. In winter, the nearby Mount Bohemia is a big draw. It's a great place for skiing and snowboarding.

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