Welcome to Bear Lake Township

Bear Lake Township is a rural residential community (population 1465, 2010 Census) located in the Northern part of Manistee County. Our community's greatest assets are our beautiful lakes and creeks. The largest lake being the 1800-acre Bear Lake (of which approximately 590 acres are within the Township's 36 square miles). Bear Lake Township is also home of many other smaller kettle-hole lakes as well as numerous creeks that dot our landscape.

Today, over two thirds of the Township is dedicated to either agriculture or forest, while about a quarter is used for residential purposes. The remaining land is divided among commercial, institutional, and leisure purposes. The US-31 Commercial Corridor has business offering a variety of retail, medical services and leisure activities to the community.

NOTICE TO BEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS

Bear Lake Township is a ZONED Community.
Land Use Permits are required.
Please call our Zoning Administrator Tony Merrill, at 231-882-6621.

Township Hall Info

Phone: (231) 864-3620
Fax: (231) 864-3999

7771 Lake St.
Bear Lake, MI 49614
P.O. Box 187
Directions

Board Members

Jeff Harthun, Supervisor
Deanna Pattison, Clerk
Marsha Wood-Smith, Treasurer
Bill Ringel, Trustee
Janette May, Trustee

2025 Board Meeting Dates

Bear Lake Township board meetings will be held at the Bear Lake Township Hall 7771 Lake St., Bear Lake MI Tuesday, at 7:00pm of the following dates:

JANUARY 21, 2025
FEBRUARY 18, 2025
MARCH 18, 2025
APRIL 15, 2025
MAY 20, 2025
*JUNE 17, 2025 @ 8:00am
*JULY 15, 2025 @ 8:00am
*AUGUST 19, 2025 @ 8:00am
SEPTEMBER 16, 2025
OCTOBER 21, 2025
DECEMBER 16, 2025