Welcome to the laughing loon cottage

Tucked into the quiet woods of Irons in Lake County, Big Bass Lake is a 290-acre all-sports lake surrounded by the thousands of acres of the Huron-Manistee National Forest. The shoreline offers wide, open water views and some of the most beautiful sunsets in West Michigan — the kind of place where you can watch the light change over the water from a deck or dock and let the day slow down.

One of the lake's most treasured features is its native loons. Common loons return to northern Michigan lakes like this one each spring, often within days of the ice melting, and spend the summer raising their young here. These striking black-and-white diving birds — a protected species in Michigan — are known for their haunting calls echoing across the water at dawn and dusk. They nest on the lake's quiet islands and marshy edges, and if you're lucky, you'll spot a chick riding piggyback on a parent gliding across the water. Keeping a respectful distance helps these special birds thrive season after season.

Whether you're here to take in the views, paddle the calm water, or simply listen for the loons, Big Bass Lake is a peaceful escape into the heart of northern Michigan.

Big Bass Lake offers something for anglers of every skill level. Largemouth bass cruise the weed lines and drop-offs around the lake's islands and points, while northern pike prowl the deeper water for those willing to troll. Panfish are plentiful too — bluegill, pumpkinseed, rock bass, yellow perch, and black crappie make for easy action off the dock and a fun day on the water for the whole family.