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Sanford Lake (historical)

Boat Ramps
1
Access Points
1
Species
16

Sanford Lake was a 1,250-acre impoundment of the Tittabawassee River located in north central Midland County in Michigan's east central Lower Peninsula. Created in 1925 by the construction of Sanford Dam, this narrow, approximately 10-mile-long reservoir stretched from the village of Sanford at its southern end northward toward Edenville. The lake had a maximum depth of 29 feet near the dam, with the bottom consisting of pulpy peat in deeper areas and a mixture of sand, clay, and peat on the shoals. Historically, Sanford Lake was a popular recreational destination until the catastrophic dam failure in May 2020 that drained the impoundment. Before this event, the lake supported a diverse warmwater and coolwater fishery that attracted significant angling pressure year-round.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Sanford Lake (historical). Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Sanford Lake (historical)

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Michigan licenses and regulations

Michigan Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Michigan Fishing License

You must purchase a fishing license if you are 17 years of age or older to fish. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Any adult actively assisting a minor who does not have a license must have a fishing license. Please note, a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

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Michigan Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Michigan Stream Access Laws

The public has a right to use a waterway for pleasure, travel, or commercial navigation. The right extends to wading on the streambed or traveling on ice. While constant movement is not required, neither can a vessel be permanently moored or use the waterway as a parking spot. The riparian owner (the owner of the land along the water) owns the streambed, but that right is subordinate to the right of navigation. On non-navigable waters the riparian owner has the right to fish and can exclude the public from fishing on such waters. But on navigable waters, the rights of the private owners are inferior to the public trust right to fish the waters.

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Take Sanford Lake (historical) with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Sanford Lake (historical) to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Sanford Lake (historical) to find where and when fish are biting for you.

  • HD depth charts from Garmin

    Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.

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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Sanford Lake (historical) and check the forecast before you go.

TITTABAWASSEE RIVER AT SANFORD, MI

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