54 NettieBay Lodge 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo:NettieBay Lodge

Originally developed as a hunting and fishing lodge, this private site is now becoming well known as a wildlife-viewing destination as well. The owners can provide lodging, observation/photography blinds, and guided bird hikes on more than 2,000 acres of undeveloped wildlife habitat around Lake Nettie. A restaurant will soon be added to the amenities offered at the Lodge. Call ahead to make arrangements to visit this beautiful site. NettieBay is also a learning center featuring hands-on workshops in twig furniture, split bamboo fly rod making, and stone masonry (using all natural, local, hand picked stone).

Photo: David Kenyon MI DNR

NettieBay Lodge received the Michigan Audubon Society Small Business Award for its efforts in cultivating public birding opportunities and its dedicated efforts to preserve and monitor the local bird population. NettieBay Lodge was also commended for its educational programs and events including the NettieBay School of Birding—an intensive short course in bird identification including formal instruction and extensive field work. Lake Nettie is one of a chain of lakes and ponds that make up the watershed of the Ocqueoc River.

Photo: David Kenyon MI DNR

Wildlife Viewing

A prime location for bird watching–look for nesting loons, osprey, eagles, northern goshawks, pileated woodpeckers, Virginia rails, American bitterns, hooded mergansers, whippoorwills, and wood thrushes. This area also has good numbers of carnivorous pitcher plants and sundews. This site contains a diverse mixture of habitats, including upland fields and forest, wetlands, swamps, bogs, and open water lakes, making it a prime location for bird watching.

Photo: David Kenyon MI DNR

Because of this habitat diversity, many different kinds of songbirds make their homes here. The site is home to over 300 bird species. It is not uncommon to see more than 100 different species in a single weekend birding trip, including wood thrushes and scarlet tanagers. Common loons nest on Lake Nettie and may be seen throughout the summer. Bald eagles and ospreys are often seen fishing in the shallow waters of the lake. White-tailed deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, and snowshoe hares are year-round residents. The snowshoe hare is named for the widely spaced toes and thick fur on its hind feet, which help support its weight on soft snow.

This site is private property. You must check in at the lodge before using the property. Call ahead for best results.