Keweenaw Convention and Visitors Bureau Safety is of utmost importance when ice

BARAGA — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources announced Friday it is continuing what it calls a successful program to keep boating access sites plowed at more than two dozen popular Upper Peninsula ice-fishing locations, including sites in Baraga and Keweenaw counties.

“To help expand ice fishing opportunities, the DNR and local partners team up to plow snow at key boating access sites in 10 of the Upper Peninsula’s 15 counties,” says the DNR website.

In Baraga County, the access site at Vermilac Lake, Silver River, will be plowed.

Listed access sites in Keweenaw County are Gratiot Lake, Lake Medora and Lake Bailey.

The effort started in 2021 when the DNR partnered with local road commissions, townships and bait shops to keep access points clear.

“This program has been a big help in maintaining public access to hard water resources throughout the wintertime,” said John Pepin, DNR deputy public information officer, in a statement. “Those using the access sites should keep ice safety in mind and take extra caution not to damage any boating infrastructure, like docks or boat landing surfaces, at these locations.”

Various local partners have again agreed to assist the DNR with the program to ensure access to ice fishing opportunities in the U.P. are available consistently during snow conditions. In Keweenaw County, the primary partner is the Road Commission.

The DNR enters into agreements with partners to plow the access sites, which are primarily managed for recreational boating. An evaluation takes place each spring to assess several things, including how often the plowed sites are used and whether damage occurs to the access ramps.

The DNR says money from the state’s Waterways Fund (gas taxes, watercraft registrations) supports these sites, though it’s restricted to boating infrastructure.