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Crystal Lake Beulah Boat Launch, Cold Creek Access, Michigan
Walk-in access on Cold Creek — Crystal lake is designated a type e trout lake. Please refer to the inland trout and salmon lake regulations in the current michigan fishing guide.
Open in BirdTrout44.63006, -86.09545 · Benzie County. Directions → Tap the map to open this water in the live app.
What is here
- Type
- Walk-in access
- Facilities
- Crystal lake is designated a type e trout lake. Please refer to the inland trout and salmon lake regulations in the current michigan fishing guide.
- Fee
- No fee
- Listed for
- Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout
- Listed by
- Michigan DNR Trout Trail site
From the M-115 and US-31 intersection, take US-31 north for one mile, then turn left (west) on Narrow Gauge Road. Take the second left (south), which will be Benzie Blvd. Then take the second right (west), which will be Clark Road. This road will dead end into the boat launch.
Crystal Lake is a very large (10,000 acres) inland lake in close proximity to Lake Michigan, so it is often subjected to heavy winds and can be dangerous to fish under those conditions. In the summer, most anglers fish Crystal Lake by trolling with Great Lakes techniques, including downriggers, divers, leadcore lines, etc. Lures used usually include spoons and plugs, although cowbells also take lake trout. Vertical jigging with jigging spoons or large twister tails can also be productive for the lakers. Ice fishing is also very popular on this lake. Lake trout are typically caught through the ice by jigging with jigging spoons, or by fishing tip ups baited with smelt, grey shiners, or blue shiners. The rainbow trout are targeted by ice anglers near creek mouths, and are usually caught on spawn or minnows. Cold Creek is the largest tributary to Crystal Lake, and it flows in just 100 yards from the Beulah Boat Launch. In the spring and fall, anglers fish off the beach and are very successful catching coho salmon, rainbow trout, and lake trout. Still fishing with spawn is the most popular technique, although some fish are taken by casting with spoons. The Beulah public access site is administered by the village of Beulah. The site has a paved boat launch with parking for approximately 8 vehicles with trailers. Shore fishing is possible here, either from the beach or off the public fishing pier.
The water you can reach
- Cold Creek 0.05 mi · Cold stream (MDNR VSEC) · typed Cold
Walk-in access. Small enough water to wade and cross in most conditions.
What the river reads now
| Gauge | Distance | Water temp |
|---|---|---|
| Crystal River at County Hwy 675 Nr Glen Arbor | 20.0 mi | — |
Live from USGS. A gauge miles away is a gauge miles away — the distance column is there so you can discount it.
The river this is on
Other access nearby
- River Road 1.6 mi · canoe launch · Betsie River
- Crystal Lake 1.6 mi · boat launch · Crystal Lake
- Grace Road 1.9 mi · canoe launch · Betsie River
- Us-31 2.0 mi · canoe launch · Betsie River
- Homestead Dam 2.5 mi · canoe launch · Betsie River
Straight-line distance, not driving distance.
Fly shops nearby
- Andy's Tackle Box 22.9 mi · Brethren
- The Northern Angler 24.7 mi · Traverse City · +1-231-933-4730
- Streamside Orvis 25.1 mi · Traverse City
- Hawkins Outfitters 25.3 mi · Traverse City