Welcome To Roscommon County

Originally called Mikenauk County when it was split off from the original Mackinaw Territory, it was re-named Roscommon County in 1843 after County Roscommon in Ireland. The county is home to three well known lakes and one magnificent river system.

Houghton Lake was named after Robert Houghton who is given credit for being the first explorer–surveyor in Michigan. Well known as one of the best fisheries in Michigan, Houghton lake, 24 feet deep at its deepest, offers some of the best walleye and pan fish fishing to be found. It is also the arena for one of the biggest winter fishing derbies in the United States, “Tip Up Town.”

Higgins Lake, on the other hand, is a deep water, spring fed lake that offers perch, lake trout, northern pike and the occasional brown or rainbow trout. Offering two state camp grounds and several access sites, it’s a great place to bring the family for a day or the whole summer.

Lake St Helen is the third jewel in Roscommon County. With a maximum depth of 26 feet, it offers an unexcelled warm water fishery for bluegill, bass, walleye, pike and crappie. The annual Blue Gill Festival attracts people from hundreds of miles away.

Lake St. Helen also serves as the headwaters for the South Branch of the AuSable River system, which eventually empties into Lake Huron at Oscoda. The communities of Prudenville, Houghton Lake, St. Helen and Roscommon, as well as the surrounding country-side, is regarded as the ideal destination for a weekend getaway for families from downstate. The opening of I-75 in the 1950’s created a recreational home away from home that was just three hours away from the work-week drudgery. Hundreds of people have purchased or built cottages and second homes throughout the area turning Roscommon County into one of the most popular northern destinations in Michigan.

Visitors coming to Roscommon County should make a special effort to visit the “Fireman’s Memorial” just outside Roscommon. Every September fireman from all over the state of Michigan migrate to Roscommon to celebrate their profession and to honor their fellow firemen that have fallen in the line of duty. You can reach Roscommon County from either I-75 or US-127 or across M-55 from the east or west side of the state.


Hot Links

• Roscommon Accommodation
• Roscommon Parks
• Roscommon Hunting & Fishing
• Roscommon Golf
• Roscommon Restaurants & Bars
• Roscommon Boating & Marina

Quick Stats (The most current information available)

• Population 25,042
• Unemployment 14.6%
• Median Income $31,676