| Date | Species | Number | Avg. Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10/21/2025 | Walleye | 1,150 | 6.5" |
Carney Lake sits in the forested interior of Dickinson County. Nearby Lake Antoine, a few miles to the south near Iron Mountain, is the more developed lake in the area. The broader region drains toward the Menominee River system, which forms the Michigan-Wisconsin border.
Carney Lake is in Michigan's Upper Peninsula where winters are long and cold, so the lake likely freezes reliably. The remote access road could be challenging or impassable in winter depending on plowing, so check conditions before heading in for ice fishing.
Where is Carney Lake?
Is there a boat launch on Carney Lake?
What fish are in Carney Lake?
Can you swim in Carney Lake?
Is there camping at Carney Lake?
Is the road to Carney Lake passable?
Is there cell service at Carney Lake?
Do you need a reservation for Carney Lake campground?
Is there a fee to launch a boat at Carney Lake?
Carney Lake is a secluded state forest lake in Dickinson County, tucked about five miles down a dirt road from the nearest pavement — close enough to Iron Mountain for a supply run but remote enough that midweek campers often have the place entirely to themselves. The lake is surrounded by forest with a rustic state forest campground where roughly half the sites sit right on the water. It's the kind of UP lake where you hear loons, not jet skis.
Fishing is reportedly good but practically requires a boat — shoreline access is limited by heavy aquatic vegetation, and the posted swimming area has largely grown over with plants. There's a small boat ramp at the campground suitable for car-top boats and small trailers, though the five-mile dirt access road is bumpy enough that high-clearance vehicles are recommended (people do make it in sedans). Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations, and cell service is spotty at best. If you want a quiet, no-frills UP camping-and-fishing weekend without driving to the middle of nowhere, Carney Lake hits that sweet spot.