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The Central Lake Michigan Management Unit (CLMMU) encompasses all of the waters that drain into the central portion of Lake Michigan. Our work area includes all or portions of the following counties: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Clare, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Lake, Leelanau, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Missaukee, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola, Roscommon, Wexford. The CLMMU covers a diverse array of inland waters and nearshore Lake Michigan from field offices located in Cadillac, Harrietta and Traverse City.
Status of the Fishery Resource Reports contain the results of major fisheries surveys on Michigan lakes and rivers.
Address:
2388 Dam Road
Benzonia, MI 49616
Coordinates: Lat: 44.596362, Long: -86.079163
Town/Range/Section: 25N / 15W / 02
The Homestead Dam was originally constructed for hydroelectric power, and decommissioned in the late 1960’s. The dam’s superstructure was then removed, and the spillway was rebuilt in 1979 to allow for limited fish passage. The Homestead Dam consists of a 60- foot long steel sheet piling spillway with 25-foot earth fill sections on either side. The total length of the dam is 110 feet. There are two spillway crests within the spillway section, each with a length of 29.5 feet. The left crest is a single drop down to the tailwater area. The right crest has two sheet piling crests to create steps, and a resting pool for fish. The height of the Homestead Dam is approximately 13.4 feet, with a head of approximately 8 feet.
The Betsie River Access Site located at the Homestead Dam, in Benzonia Township of Benzie County, is a popular access point for kayakers, salmon anglers, and steelhead anglers. This access site provides 50 parking spaces, vault toilets and a carry-down launching area. Paddlers on the Betsie River must use this site in order to portage the Homestead Dam. This site does not have an improved ramp and is suitable for car-top boats, kayaks and canoes only.
LAND USE ORDERS OF THE DIRECTOR
Chapter IV -State Forest Lands
Order 4.10- Certain state-owned lands, Benzie county, use or occupancy prohibited at certain times. A person shall not use or occupy the following described state-owned lands in Benzie county between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m.: (1) Homestead dam site located within the SE¼ of the SE¼ of the NE¼ of section 2, T25N R15W. (2) US-31 parking lot located within section 2, T25N R15W. (3) Grace road parking lot located within section 34, T26N R15W.
From US Highway 31: Take Love Road east from the Village of Benzonia approximately 1 mile, turn south onto Dam Road. Dam Road ends at the Betsie River, access site parking is on the west side of the road in the upper and lower parking lots.
Jay Wesley, 269-685-6851 ext. 117
8015 Mackinaw Trail
Cadillac, MI 49601Fisheries Unit Supervisor:
Scott Heintzelman, 231-775-9727 ext. 6070
Mark Tonello, 231-775-9727 ext. 6071 (Pere Marquette, Big Sable, Little Manistee, Manistee, Betsie River watersheds)
2122 South M-37
Traverse City, MI 49685
Heather Hettinger, 231-922-6056 (Platte, Boardman, Elk, Jordan, Boyne, Bear River watersheds)
Fisheries Technician Supervisor:
Joe Mickevich, 231-389-2551
Eric Askam, 231-389-0420
Olen Gannon, 231-389-2551
Bob Kerry, 231-389-0420
