MICHIGAN CITIZENS for COUGAR RECOGNITION
LAKE County Sightings



1997Jerry C observes a cougar near Chase
2002Lisa M observed black cougar just southeast of Irons sitting at the edge of the woods with tail trailing behindBLACK
06/21/03Pine River, appx. ½ way b/w Skokum Road Bridge and Walker Road Bridge, Cat jumped out of tree overhanging the river and dropped a dead fawn into the river then ran into the woods - observer took photos of fawn they fished out of the river
09/20/03M-37 and Centerline Road near Wolf Lake, N of Baldwin
11/05/03T19NR11W08
05/04/0440th Street ½ mile E of Saddler
07/14/04Near corner of Lake and Mason Counties near the Bear Swamp area
07/28/04T20NR11W24
07/22/04Lakola and 20 Mile
08/04Observed by John N. of Wellston
10/04Observed by Howard G.
03/12/05Lake County, Old M-63, 1/5 mile E of M37
2006Tracks of two on ORV Trail, Baldwin; one set larger than the otherTWO SIZE TRACKS
05/17/068 Mile and Peacock Trail
05/17/06NE of Baldwin, Tin Cup Motorcycle Trail
07/06Pere Marquette State Forest on 60th Avenue south of Wayne Road
08/27/06Twin Lakes Club
09/13/063 miles from M-37 and 5 miles S of Baldwin, 76th and Foreman Road
11/16/07National Forest. Ran onto private hunting land at 8:00 a.m.
07/21/08M-37 Bridge over Baldwin River. Cat crossed road in front of vehicle and was 4' long and at least 100 pounds. Cat was following the river
07/31/08East on US 10 betwen Baldwin and Idlewild. Crossed in front of vehicle
08/01/08Scott M and Ashley W observe a cougar walk across the highway and spring into the woods off M-37 just north of 7 Mile Road
08/23/08Canterbury Park Drive 300 yards inside pavement off of Star Lake Drive. Watched cat about 30 yards from vehicle. Cat groomed itself and was scared away by 3 cars
09/27/08Veterinarian Aaron V. saw a cougar cross the road in front of his car when fishing the Pere Marquette River near Baldwin
11/15/08Opening day of rifle season, observed black cougar at 50-60 yards in swampy area south of Pine Lake at 9 Mile Bridge Road called Pulp Wood RoadBLACK


Using information compiled by the North Dakota Game and Fish Department, it was determined that approximately 50% of anecdotal reports (as listed below), can be classified as probable or verified.
Reports by the public, when carefully screened for reliability, and used in conjunction with other information and evidence, can aid in assessing population status.
Thank you to the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Retired DNR Forester Mike Zuidema, and the media for this valuable research information.




DENISE N. MASSEY