Camping began along the north shore of Higgins Lake around 1925 at what was originally a State Forest campground. In 1963, the campground became North Higgins Lake State Park after its transfer to the State Parks Division. The historic Higgins Lake tree nursery closed in 1964, and its property was added to the new state park. Higgins Lake is the source of the Muskegon River and connects to Houghton Lake by the Cut River, which was dredged during white pine logging days to float logs. Fed by several small streams and springs, the lake is known for clear, almost pristine water. It covers 9600 acres, reaches a maximum depth of 135 feet, averages 49 feet deep, and has more than 50 percent of its area deeper than 50 feet. Its bottom consists of sand and gravel near shore to 80 feet deep, with muck and marl in deeper water and areas of clay and gravel around Treasure Island. The water is extremely clear and moderately fertile, and by late July the thermocline is typically established between 45 and 50 feet. Higgins Lake is noted throughout Michigan for its outstanding coldwater fishery, including stocked lake trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and stable yellow perch populations.