Lake George (Indiana–Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake George |
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 Lake George
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Steuben County, Indiana and Branch County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 41°45′30″N 85°00′29″W / 41.75833°N 85.00806°W |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Managing agency | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
| Surface area | 509 acres (206 ha) |
| Average depth | 22 ft (6.7 m) |
| Max. depth | 71 ft (22 m) |
| Surface elevation | 984 ft (300 m) |
Lake George is a fun lake for recreation. It sits right on the border between Indiana and Michigan. Most of the lake is in Indiana, in Steuben County, Indiana. A smaller part is in Michigan, in Branch County, Michigan.
You can find towns like Angola and Fremont nearby in Indiana. In Michigan, Coldwater and Kinderhook are close. Lake George is about 525 acres big. It is 82 feet deep at its deepest point.
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History of Lake George
A mill pond and dam were built in 1923. They are located at the south end of the lake. This is where the old community of Jamestown was. The mill was destroyed by fire before World War II. You can still find its foundations today.
The dam helped raise the water level. This joined three smaller bodies of water into one big lake. Important spots on the lake include Brown's Point and Kope Kon Point.
Native American History
There is a lot of history about Native Americans living around Lake George. They lived in this area a long time ago.
Famous Visitors
It is a common story that John Dillinger once hid out here. He was a famous bank robber. He supposedly stayed at a lakefront home that is still there today. This house is on Lane 201A.
The location was likely chosen because it was near the state line. This made it easier for the gang to escape police. The cottage belonged to Homer VanMeter. He was a member of Dillinger's group.
Fun on the Water
Lake George is a great place for sailing. It is home to the main office for the Inland Cat Class Sailing Association. For a while, it had the largest group of these sailboats on an inland lake.
These 16-foot sailboats have one sail. People who owned a fiberglass company built them. They raced competitively all summer long.
Fishing at Lake George
The lake is home to many kinds of fish. A man named Fred Wiegman stocked the lake with fish. He was a game warden and director of the Lake George Cottager’s Association.
In the past, you could fish with either a Michigan or Indiana fishing license. Today, Lake George is a popular spot for catching Bass and Northern Pike.
Lake George Wildlife
In September 2020, something new was seen in Lake George. Freshwater jellyfish were spotted for the first time! Their scientific name is Craspedacusta sowerbii.
These jellyfish have been seen in over 20 other Indiana lakes. They are found all over the world, but they are not common. You usually see them in late summer. However, their appearance is random and hard to predict.
The jellyfish are very small, about the size of a penny. They are also clear, which makes them hard to spot. If you see any, please tell the Indiana DNR.
Lake George Community
The Lake George Cottagers Association (LGCA) started in 1927. You can find more information on their website, www.lakegeorgein.com.
In 2005, the Lake George Conservancy was created. This group works to protect the land around the lake. They also help keep the lake's environment healthy.
