Mona Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mona Lake |
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 Mona Lake
Location in Michigan
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| Location | Muskegon County, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 43°10′N 86°15′W / 43.167°N 86.250°W |
| Primary outflows | Lake Michigan |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 695 acres (281 ha) |
| Average depth | 42 ft (13 m) |
| Max. depth | 51 ft (16 m) |
| Surface elevation | 581 ft (177 m) |
| Settlements | Norton Shores, MI |
Mona Lake is a freshwater lake in Norton Shores, a town near Muskegon in Michigan. This lake has a sandy bottom. It connects to Lake Michigan through a special channel.
Contents
Fishing Fun!
Mona Lake is a great place to go fishing! You can catch many different kinds of fish here. Some popular fish include big walleyes, black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. You might also find largemouth bass, muskellunge (muskie), northern pike, and smallmouth bass. Other fish caught here are white bass, salmon, and yellow perch.
There is a public boat launch on the north side of the lake. It is located at Mona Lake Park. This park has ramps for boats, a covered picnic area, and parking. It also has a lighted pier for fishing, a beach, and sports fields. The Mona Lake channel connects the lake to Lake Michigan. The park is easy to reach, near the I-96 and US-31 highways.
Parks and Outdoor Adventures
Mona Lake offers many fun places for outdoor activities. You can find parks, beaches, and even a special conference center with lots to do.
Boating and Recreation
There is a boating club on Mona Lake that anyone can join. It has a gas station dock for boats. The club also offers a full kitchen, restrooms, and a tiki bar. Kids can enjoy the playground, picnic spots, and a sandy beach.
Ross Park
On the south side of Mona Lake, you will find Ross Park. This park covers 43 acres. It has a sandy beach area with playground equipment for kids. There are also picnic areas and a paved walkway. You can play volleyball here too. If you come by boat, there is a special parking area to come ashore.
Lake Harbor Park
Lake Harbor Park is a large park with 189 acres. It is located near the Mona Lake Channel. This park has a long shoreline on Lake Michigan. It also has a lot of space along the Mona Lake Channel and Mona Lake itself. You can get to the park by walking, biking, driving, or even by boat.
A walkway along Mona Lake is perfect for fishing. This path goes under a bridge. It leads to a picnic area overlooking the channel. This spot has tables, grills, a shelter, and restrooms. A nice deck was built in 2000. It gives you a great view of the channel. From this walkway, you can follow a trail to the sand dunes. A wooden walkway with observation decks leads to a beautiful beach on Lake Michigan.
Maranatha Conference Grounds
The Maranatha Conference Grounds are on the south side of the Mona Lake Channel. This large area covers over 80 acres. It has a long private beach on Lake Michigan. Maranatha offers many activities for visitors.
Some of the fun things you can do at Maranatha include:
- Daily activities for children and teens
- Beach volleyball
- A climbing wall
- A zipline
- A craft room
- Tie-dye activities
- A heated pool right on the beach
- A fully-equipped exercise room
- Group fitness classes
- A boardwalk on the beach
- Miniature golf
- Tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Volleyball courts
- Two playgrounds for children
- Talent shows
- Pickleball
- Shuffleboard
- A Ga-ga pit
- Bonfires
- An indoor gymnasium
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Paddleboarding
- Mona Lake
