Lake Mitchell (Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Mitchell |
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| Clam Lake | |
 Lake Mitchell
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Cadillac, Michigan, United States |
| Coordinates | 44°14′52″N 085°29′36″W / 44.24778°N 85.49333°W |
| Primary inflows | Mitchell Creek |
| Primary outflows | Clam Lake Canal |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 2,580 acres (1,040 ha) |
| Max. depth | 28 ft (8.5 m) |
| Surface elevation | 1,289 ft (393 m) |
Lake Mitchell is one of two lakes in Wexford County, Michigan. These lakes are connected by a waterway called the Clam Lake Canal. The other lake is Lake Cadillac.
You can find Mitchell State Park right on the shores of Lake Mitchell. The lake is home to many kinds of fish. These include Bluegill, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Black Crappie, and Rock Bass. You can also find Northern Pike, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, and Bullhead here.
Contents
A Look Back: Lake Mitchell's History
How Lake Mitchell Got Its Name
Long ago, people called Lake Mitchell by a different name: Big Clam Lake. Even today, the USGS still lists Clam Lake as another name for it.
The Canal and Early Logging
In 1873, a local businessman named George A. Mitchell started a village nearby. It was first called Clam Lake. Later, in 1882, its name changed to Cadillac, Michigan. George Mitchell also built the canal that connects Big Clam Lake (now Lake Mitchell) to Little Clam Lake (now Lake Cadillac).
This canal was very important for the logging industry. Logging means cutting down trees for wood. Logs from the west side of Lake Mitchell could float through the canal. They then entered Lake Cadillac. On the east side of Lake Cadillac were lumber mills. These mills turned logs into lumber. There was also a railroad and the village of Clam Lake in this area.
Changing the Lake Names
The names of the two lakes were officially changed in 1903. Little Clam Lake became Lake Cadillac, named after the nearby community. Big Clam Lake was renamed Lake Mitchell. This was done to honor William W. Mitchell. He was George A. Mitchell's nephew and also his business partner.
