Name of the site: Spring Mill Pond
Description of the site: This peaceful spot has the advantage of no boats, no current, a sandy beach, and bathrooms! The pond has a maximum depth around 35 feet, and is home to several species of fish, especially near the reed-bordered edges of the pond. Sights include picnic tables, a snowmobile, an underwater bathroom (complete with toilet, tub, & sink), and more.
Depth Range: up to 35ft
Water Temps: Really warm on the surface in the summer and late fall. Cold other times of the year
Visibility: 5-15 feet but can be stirred up by lots of swimmers.
Aquatic Life: Trout, Bass, Blue Gills and Lots of Crayfish. There have been also reports of the elusive fresh water Jellyfish.
Fees:One-day vehicle permits cost $6. Season passes are available.
On-Site Amenities: Bath house, toilets, grills, vending machines, sandy beach, and volleyball courts.
Website or Phone Number: Call Island Lake Recreation Area at (810) 229-7067 or visit
the
DNR Website
Open Hours: Year-around for day use but campgrounds close and water service is shut down during the winter months.
Restrictions: None
Boat or Shore Access: Shore Access
How to get there: Spring Mill Pond is in Island Lake State Recreation Area, near the junction of U.S. Highway 23 and Interstate 96 near Brighton, Michigan. From U.S. 23 North from Ann Arbor, take I-96 East to Exit 151 (Kensington Road). Go south 3/4 mile on Kensington Road. After a bridge over the Huron River, turn left at the entrance to the recreation area. Pay the daily fee at the gate, turn right, and follow signs to Spring Mill Pond (on the left a few miles inside the park).
Rating you would give it: (1= Bad, 5=Excellent) The convenience of diving is fantastic but the depth and the visibility give it a 3.5