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This viewing site is a moderately sized wetland on the
west edge of Houghton Lake, Michigan’s largest inland
lake. Current water levels were created in the late1950s
as part of a mitigation project between Michigan DNR
and the Michigan Department of Transportation when the
US-27 freeway was built. US-27 on the west and Old US-27
on the east, plus cross dikes between the two roadways,
enclose the marsh on four sides, providing water level
management. Levels are managed with pumps and control
structures to enhance fish and wetland wildlife habitat.
Large birds and other wildlife can be viewed easily
from both highways. A parking area, an elevated wildlife
observation platform, and a fishing deck have been constructed
along Old-27. Because of the convenience of the observation
platform and on-site parking – and the abundant wildlife
– Houghton Lake Flats is an excellent place to watch
wildlife, and a great place to stop when you don’t have
a lot of time to spend.
This managed wetland area is lush with wetland vegetation
and wildlife. A quick stop here almost anytime during
the spring, summer, and fall will be rewarded with
sightings of osprey, ducks, geese, herons, shorebirds,
and marshland songbirds. Great blue herons are common
here. The herons have established a nesting colony,
called a rookery, just to the north on a nearby wetland.
Black terns, an increasingly rare species in Michigan,
nest here and may be seen flying low and hovering
over the water as they search for food. Several osprey
nesting platforms have been installed in the marsh
and are used each year by ospreys which benefit from
the excellent fishing in Houghton Lake. Several bald
eagle nests are located in the vicinity of the Flats
and eagles are often observed as well. Muskrats, raccoons,
mink, and river otters live here year round. They
are seen occasionally, most often at dawn. Use binoculars
from your car, from the observation decks, or perhaps
even take a stroll on the mowed cross dikes on the
north and south ends of the flooding to enjoy one
of the best and quickest wildlife viewing stops in
mid-Michigan.
This area is open to public hunting.
Contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources
for affected seasons and locations.
Directions
On M-55, O.7 miles east of US-127 turn north on Old US-27 and
drive about 1.9 miles, look for the observation platform and
fishing platform, and park on the small paved parking lot on
the left (west) side of Old US- 27.
Ownership: Michigan Department of Natural Resources,
Wildlife Division, Roscommon Operations Service Center, (989)
275-5151.
>Watchable
Wildlife
Wildlife
Viewing 
