Lightfoot bay
Lightfoot Bay
Acres: 131
Established: 2007
County: Baraga
Category: Public Nature Area
There are two cabins at Lightfoot Bay that were used for generations by the family that once owned this land. They have been refurbished and are available to groups or individuals for reservation by free-will donation. The main cabin is available in summertime and the smaller cabin is insulated and available throughout the year.
The Lightfoot Bay wetland, near-shore, and upland plant communities play a critical role in maintaining the ecological integrity of greater Huron Bay, providing habitat for migrating waterfowl, breeding birds, native plants, threatened and endangered species, and other aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. Lightfoot Bay opens seasonally onto Huron Bay, closing late in the summer as water levels in the embayment drop and creating a sanctuary for warm water fish species. In the springtime melt, water rushes through the sand bars and allows cold water species to enter and spawn before retreating to the cool depths of Huron and Keweenaw Bays. Huron Bay supports a diverse assemblage of fish species considered rare in Lake Superior, including coaster brook trout and lake sturgeon populations, both USFWS conservation priority species. Members of the nearby Keweenaw Bay Indian Community of Ojibwa frequent the waters of Huron Bay to fish the abundant stock found there.
The wetland here is a perched dune with dunes along the shore and extensive wetlands inland. There are vernal ponds and many special habitats.
