ISHPEMING, MI – A normally crystal-clear fishing lake in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is now red after a beaver dam broke last week.
Conditions on Lake Angeline, near Ispheming in Marquette County, quickly changed on Thursday after a naturally occurring breach of a beaver dam. The water level rose, and incoming sediment caused the lake to turn a reddish-brown color.
The beaver pond is now stable. Conditions on Lake Angeline are expected to recover naturally.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy investigated the incident.
A breached beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline in Marquette County is currently stable, and water levels are not expected to rise further in the lake. The public is able to safely access the lake for boating and fishing.Michigan DNR
A beaver pond upstream of Lake Angeline drained early Thursday, causing the changes, investigators said.
Recent significant rain events may have contributed to higher water levels, resulting in the breach of the aging beaver dam. The beaver pond is now stable, and water levels on Lake Angeline are not expected to rise any farther due to the breach.
An upstream beaver pond breached and drained early Thursday, July 17, 2025, causing reddish sediment in the water and water level rise on Lake Angeline, south of Ishpeming, Mich.Photo courtesy of Marquette County
Public access to the lake, including the partially submerged DNR boat launch, remains open. Residents and visitors can continue to safely access the lake for boating and fishing. There are no known safety or other concerns.
No dead fish were observed during the investigation. However, the public is encouraged to report any observations of fish kills at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField.
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