Beaver Island is the largest island in Lake Michigan and belongs to a cluster of 12 islands known as the Beaver Island Archipelago. This means when you go to Beaver, you not only have one beautiful island with all the amenities you need, but you also have access to a bunch of other islands that are completely pristine and uninhabited.
“Beaver Island is the most remote inhabited island in Lake Michigan,” explained Steve West, the executive director of the Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce.
West has lived on Beaver Island for the last 18 years with his wife Elaine and he considers himself semi-retired because of the relaxing atmosphere that permeates their beautiful island.
It’s the perfect place to get away from everyday life and explore. It flourishes with abundant plants and wildlife, and many of the plants Beaver Island cultivates are rare, making it an exciting attraction for eco-tourists.
Beaver Island is probably best known for its outdoor activities, so you can be sure this destination will set your adventurous heart on fire. It hosts numberless opportunities for fishing, hiking, biking, nature photography, bird watching, swimming and kayaking.
Compelling History
The history of the island reads somewhat like a novel, and it can be roughly divided into three eras: the Indian, the Strangite and the Irish.
Not very much is known about the early Indian inhabitants. Artifacts have been found yet the people who used them appear to have vanished. Later, the Ojibways arrived and harvested their abandoned fields and met with the first white trappers and traders.
In the 1840's the population of Beaver grew to a few hundred. It was around this time the notorious James Jesse Strang founded a small colony on the island. As an ambitious and charismatic man, Strang had previously converted to Mormonism as a way to improve his position when he met the religion’s founder, Joseph Smith.
But when Smith was murdered, Strang wanted to name himself the new head of the Mormon Church, but Brigham Young challenged his grab for power. In the end, Strang, split away from the main body of the Mormons and established his own little kingdom (complete with followers) on Beaver Island. Yes. He literally named himself king.
His popularity began to wane because of his extremist mindsets and he was eventually killed by two former-followers. And thus ended his brief reign.
From there, Beaver Island had an influx of Irish settlers. The Gaelic language was not uncommonly heard among its everyday speech and by the middle of the 19th century, the Irish fisherman of Beaver Island were the largest suppliers of freshwater fish in all of the United States.
It’s because of the island’s proud Irish heritage that it is affectionately known as “America’s Emerald Isle.”
Fishing Frenzy
As the Irish discovered, the carp fishing on Beaver Island is phenomenal. It’s largely considered to be the best in North America.
The average fish size is 20 pounds and the shorelines of the island are so clear that it’s all sight fishing. You target the carp on the fly.
The bounteous fishing attracts anglers from the all over the globe in the summer. So if you’re a fisher, grab your rod and tackle box because you won’t want to miss this.
For More Information
Beaver Beacon
www.beaverisland.net
Beaver Island Chamber of Commerce
www.beaverisland.org
Great Lake Sailing
www.great-lakes-sailing.com
