Higgins Lake
General data
- Name: Higgins Lake
- Water system: St. Lawrence River
- Water type: Natural lake
- Progression: Cut River (Michigan) -> Backus Creek (Houghton Lake tributary) -> Houghton Lake -> Muskegon River -> Lake Michigan -> Lake Huron -> St. Clair River -> Lake St. Clair (North America) -> Detroit River -> Lake Erie -> Niagara River -> Lake Ontario -> St. Lawrence River -> Gulf of St. Lawrence -> Atlantic Ocean -> Planet Earth
- Climates: Temperate
- Continents: North America
- Countries: United States of America
Higgins Lake is a large recreational and fishing lake in Roscommon County, in the U.S. state of Michigan. The 9,900 acres (4,000 ha) lake is known for its deep, clear waters and is the 10th largest in Michigan with a shoreline of 21 miles (34 km). It is named after Sylvester Higgins, the first chief of the topographical department of the Michigan Geological Survey. It has a maximum width of 4 miles (6.4 km) and a length of 7 miles (11 km) with a maximum depth of 135 feet (41 m). The mean depth is 30.4 feet (9.3 m) and the lake contains almost 20 billion cubic feet (570×106 m3) of water. Its retention time is about 12.5 years. The lake's watershed covers 19,000 acres (7,700 ha). The twin-lobed lake receives half of its water from submerged springs, six percent from incoming streams, and the remainder from direct rainfall and runoff. It drains into Marl Lake by the Cut River which runs into Houghton Lake and eventually to Lake Michigan via the Muskegon River. A mile north of the lake, water flows into the Lake Huron watershed.
Sportfish in the lake include yellow perch, trout, smelt and pike. Fish are taken both in open water and by ice fishing.