Discover Lewiston, Atlanta, and Johannesburg
The small communities of Lewiston, Atlanta, and Johannesburg in northern Michigan are surrounded by numerous lakes and some notable rivers. Lewiston alone has over 40 lakes in its vicinity.
The lakes and rivers are categorized by town, with details on whether each lake is natural or man-made and what type of usage it supports such as all-sports lakes allowing high-speed motorized water sports, or more restricted quiet use.
Lewiston sits on the shore of East Twin Lake and adjacent West Twin Lake, which are the largest and most popular lakes in the area. In total, more than 40 lakes are found in the surrounding forests and hills near Lewiston. These lakes are primarily natural glacial lakes. Lewiston is not located on a major river; however, the Thunder Bay River begins just to the northeast at McCormick Lake near Atlanta before flowing eastward out of the area.
| Lake Name | Size (acres) | Natural or Man-made? | Lake Type / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Twin Lake | 830 | Natural (glacial) | All-sports lake (high-speed boating, water skiing) – popular for fishing, swimming, etc. |
| West Twin Lake | 1,313 | Natural (glacial) | All-sports lake – large clear lake with excellent fishing and boating. |
| Tee Lake | 216 | Natural | Partially all-sports (one arm is all-sports, one arm is no-wake) – used for jet skiing and quiet paddling. |
| Big Wolf Lake | 236 | Natural | Fishing/boating lake – relatively shallow; no public launch (private access only). |
| Little Wolf Lake | 93 | Natural | Fishing/boating lake – deeper than Big Wolf; public boat launch available. |
| Snyder Lake | 153 | Natural | All-sports lake – no public access (private shoreline only). |
| Spectacle Lakes (chain of 7 lakes) | 20–80 each | Natural | Quiet no-wake lakes – small, rustic chain with undeveloped shorelines (no public access), great for wildlife and fishing. |
| Sage Lake (Sage Lakes) | ~? | Man-made (wildlife flooding) | Quiet fishing lake – known for bass and panfish; a shallow state-managed flooding area for wildlife (no high-speed boats). |
Major lakes in Lewiston:
East Twin and West Twin are the centerpiece lakes of Lewiston, noted for their clear water and recreational use. Most other nearby lakes are smaller and primarily used for fishing, canoeing, and nature enjoyment.
Atlanta, the county seat of Montmorency County, is situated in a region of forests with many natural lakes. Notable lakes near Atlanta include Avery Lake, Clear Lake, and McCormick Lake among others. Atlanta is also traversed by the Thunder Bay River, which originates at McCormick Lake just south of town and flows eastward through Atlanta. The area's lakes are mostly natural, formed by glacial activity, and several allow motorized boating.
| Lake Name | Size (acres) | Natural or Man-made? | Lake Type / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery Lake | 362 | Natural (glacial) | All-sports lake – supports boating, fishing, camping (state forest campground). |
| Clear Lake | 133 | Natural (kettle lake) | All-sports lake – clear spring-fed lake (popular swimming beach at Clear Lake State Park). |
| McCormick Lake | 100 | Natural | Fishing lake – deep, cold-water trout lake; source of the Thunder Bay River. |
| Lake Fifteen | 89 | Natural | All-sports lake – used for waterskiing, boating, kayaking, and swimming (public boat ramp available). |
| Crooked Lake | 47 | Natural | No-wake lake – small, quiet fishing lake. |
| Rush Lake | 224 | Man-made (impounded) | All-sports lake (floodwater) – high-speed boating allowed only during certain hours. |
| Gaylanta Lake | 115 | Natural | All-sports lake – public access available. |
Other small lakes such as Grass Lake, Jackson Lake, and Horseshoe Lake are scattered throughout the area and are generally used for fishing or paddling.
Johannesburg is a small community in eastern Otsego County and is close to the north shore of Big Bear Lake. The area includes several popular lakes such as Big Bear Lake, Little Bear Lake, and Big Bass Lake. Within Johannesburg is the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve, home to Johannesburg Lake and Kujawa Lake, both originally mill ponds from the area's early lumbering history.
| Lake Name | Size (acres) | Natural or Man-made? | Lake Type / Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bear Lake | ~435 | Natural (glacial) | All-sports lake – swimming, fishing, boating; public campground and launch. |
| Little Bear Lake | 127 | Natural | All-sports lake – adjacent to Big Bear Lake with cottage development. |
| Big Bass Lake | ~290 | Natural | All-sports lake – remote forest lake with public access; drains toward the Au Sable River watershed. |
| Johannesburg Lake | 32 | Man-made (mill pond) | No-wake lake – located within the Louis M. Groen Nature Preserve. |
| Kujawa Lake (Burg Lake) | ~25 | Man-made (mill pond) | No-wake lake – quiet water for wildlife and paddling. |
A major river flowing through Atlanta, the Thunder Bay River begins at McCormick Lake just southwest of Atlanta and flows east and northeast for approximately 75 miles before reaching Lake Huron. In the Atlanta area, the river is narrow and cold-water fed, providing opportunities for trout fishing and paddling. High-speed motorized boating is not common on this upper stretch.
One of Northern Michigan's most well-known rivers, the Au Sable does not flow directly through Lewiston, Atlanta, or Johannesburg, but portions of the Johannesburg area and surrounding lakes lie within the Au Sable River watershed. Many nearby lakes and tributaries drain into this river system, which flows east toward Lake Huron. The Au Sable River is nationally recognized for trout fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and scenic forested stretches, offering a quieter river-based recreational experience.
The headwaters of the Black River are located just a few miles north of Johannesburg. This cold-water river flows north into Cheboygan County, eventually joining the Cheboygan River and continuing on to Lake Huron. The upper Black River is known for its brook trout fishery and undeveloped natural setting, with canoeing and fishing being the primary recreational uses.
The communities of Lewiston, Atlanta, and Johannesburg offer exceptional access to northern Michigan's most beautiful waterways. With more than 60 lakes ranging from large all-sports destinations to quiet no-wake waters, plus three major river systems, this region provides outstanding opportunities for waterfront living and outdoor recreation.
Whether you're seeking an active all-sports lake like West Twin or Big Bear, a peaceful fishing retreat, or riverfront property along a renowned trout stream, these northeastern Michigan communities deliver the authentic northern Michigan experience that draws people from across the country.
Sources and references used for lake acreage, lake type/usage descriptions, and river information in this guide:
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