Due to taking a new job I probably will not have enough time to take a trip to quetico. I think I will visit Craig lake. My question is about campsites, easy to find? were is the best camping? Quality of the fishing, Fishing is important but not as important as getting away for a few days. Thanks in advance, Anthony

Well I guess nobody has been to Craig lake Michigan? I went to Big Island several years ago but think I will try Craig lake this time. If I go I will post a report. Anthony

I did a day trip there about ten years ago while I was spending a week at the drive-to camping sites in Sylvania. I had heard that it was the most primitive of the MI state parks and wanted to see it. It was not easy to find the entrance but I stopped at a little store and they helped me. The logging road into the park reminded me of some of the roads along the rivers in the Ozarks. I got out of my car three times to make sure the water I was going to have to drive through was not too deep. The 7 mile trip in took about 45 minutes and I would recommend a four wheel drive with good ground clearance.

There was only one other vehicle in the lot when I got there. You self register and carry you gear about a 1/4 mile to the lake. I enjoyed my day there fishing and exploring. The campsites were not as nice as the average Quetico site but not bad. I fished a Zara Spook and some flyrod poppers and got a few pike. I did have a nice fish blow up once on the Spook but I never got a good look at it (Musky?). I switched to a #3 spinner and it worked better that the topwater baits.

The fishing there did not seem as good as Sylvania but I would think the wilderness camping experience would surpass camping in the interior of Sylvania.

Have anice trip.

I went two years in a row the last Visit was three years ago. It is a nice lake Craig lake had the best fishing where's the other lakes were very shallow. There are some Smaller lakes connected that do have homes on them that looks like they have fish in them but the weather was terrible the one day we went there and had no luck. As far as campsites there are some really nice ones and some really bad ones like you find anywhere. There is a great site about three fourths way up on your left-hand side Of the lake. It's entirely up on the ledge great views. One day I had the best walleye fishing of my life there. One of the nicest sites I've stayed yet while camping in any canoe country. The one thing that's annoying though is that some of the campsites are close to one another and you can hear other campers if they're loud and rude. Heard wolves one night. Great place to go to for short trip my buddies and I loved it. He made video on YouTube call Craig lake check it out

We entered on a weekday as well so not a lot of people however on weekends it was busy

Thanks for the replies. going around the second week of September hopfully less people. Anthony

Visited Craig Lake State Park this past weekend.

Remote camping is $12 per night and you must have a State of Michigan annual sticker on your car ($30 for out of staters)

The ride in from Nestoria (from the west) could be challenging for a sedan. The eastern entrance is much easier. It is recommended that you have a high clearance vehicle.

It is about a 1/4 mile portage from the parking lot to the lake. It is legal to use portage wheels. There are three camp sites right at the boat launch, and a number of campsites around the lake. There are also 2 remote cabins that can be rented and they are right on the lake. You cannot drive up to the rental cabins and there is no electricity or running water. However, they looked well maintained.

The lake is very scenic. The campsite we had was large with very nice views. Very primitive with no pit toilets

Camping on islands is not allowed, but there were fire rings on every island we visited.

Thanks for the reply. Looks sweet. Did you do any fishing, that rock pile looks like a fish magnet? Anthony

quote Miami1: "Thanks for the reply. Looks sweet. Did you do any fishing, that rock pile looks like a fish magnet? Anthony"

We did not do any fishing, but there were a few other canoes on the lake that were fishing and they were having some luck.

quote Miami1: "Thanks for the reply. Looks sweet. Did you do any fishing, that rock pile looks like a fish magnet? Anthony"

We did not do any fishing, but there were a few other canoes on the lake that were fishing and they were having some luck.

Sorry for the double post. One other thing, the skeeters were very thick. Of course, it is June.