Blog · September 25, 2026 · Michigan
Iosco County, Michigan GIS Parcel Map Guide
Iosco County runs along Lake Huron on the “sunrise side” of northern Lower Michigan, from Tawas Bay up past Oscoda, with the Au Sable River winding through forest to the lake. Its free FetchGIS map is the easiest way to research cabins, lake lots and hunting land here.
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About Iosco County
The county was created in 1840 as Kanotin County and renamed Iosco in 1843. Tawas City is the county seat, and the 2020 census counted 25,237 residents. The county’s total area is about 1,890 square miles, but only about 549 are land; the rest is Lake Huron water. Cities are East Tawas, Tawas City and Whittemore, and Oscoda and Au Sable are charter townships.
Landmarks include Tawas Point Light, a light station dating to 1853, on the spit that shelters Tawas Bay, and the Lumberman’s Monument above the Au Sable River in the Huron National Forest. Van Etten Lake near Oscoda is popular for cottages. The former Wurtsmith Air Force Base operated from 1923 until 1993. The EPA proposed it for the Superfund National Priorities List in January 1994, but that listing was never finalized; the Air Force handles cleanup under state oversight. State groundwater sampling for PFAS near Oscoda began in 2010, and investigation and cleanup work around the base continues. Near Tawas, the Alabaster area has a long history of gypsum mining.
The FetchGIS map
Our directory links Iosco County’s interactive map on FetchGIS. Layers include parcels, lakes and streams, school districts, sections and subdivisions. Clicking a parcel shows details such as state equalized value, taxable value, acreage, zoning, sales and delinquent tax information.
- Open the Iosco County FetchGIS map.
- Search by address, owner or parcel number, or zoom to the area.
- Click a parcel for values, acreage, zoning and sales.
- Turn on sections and subdivisions to place rural land or a platted lot.
- Turn on lakes and streams to see frontage.
The delinquent tax detail is worth a look before you buy. Unpaid taxes can signal a property headed toward forfeiture, and you will want them resolved at closing.
SEV and taxable value
Michigan property records show two key numbers. State equalized value is roughly half of market value. Taxable value is what taxes are calculated from, and its yearly growth is capped while an owner holds the property. When a property sells, the taxable value generally uncaps the next year and can rise to the SEV. For buyers of long-held cottages, that means next year’s tax bill can be higher than the seller’s. Look at both numbers in FetchGIS and ask the township assessor what to expect.
Cabins and lake lots
Buyers along Lake Huron, Tawas Bay, Van Etten Lake and inland lakes should check frontage and subdivision plats carefully. Many older cottage plats have narrow lots, shared access strips or private roads. Parcel lines along water are approximate, and riparian rights follow Michigan law. See our guide on whether property lines extend into the lake.
Hunting and river land
Much of the interior is forested, with large blocks of national forest and other public land. Hunters and recreational buyers can use the map to see where private parcels meet public ground and to identify neighboring owners. Along the Au Sable River, pay attention to floodplain and any federal land between a parcel and the water. Our guides to finding boundaries in the woods and finding landowners for hunting permission are good next steps.
Around Oscoda and the former base, check environmental notices and ask about water supply if you are buying property with a private well.
Sections, townships and older plats
Rural Iosco land is described using the Public Land Survey System, the grid of townships, ranges and one-mile sections that covers most of Michigan. A description such as “the NW 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of Section 12” points to a roughly 40-acre block, and turning on the sections layer in FetchGIS shows you where that block falls. Around the lakes and in the Tawases, much of the land was platted into small cottage lots decades ago, and some of those plats include streets or parks that were never built. If a listing includes several small lots, check whether they are combined into one tax parcel and whether any unbuilt platted road runs through or beside them. The Equalization office can pull the original plat, and a surveyor can tell you how the old lots fit the land on the ground.
Seasonal buyers should also ask about year-round road maintenance, since some private and seasonal roads are not plowed in winter. Ask who maintains the road and whether a road association charges annual dues.
Equalization and records
The Iosco County Equalization Department keeps assessment rolls, section maps, subdivision plats and recorded surveys. It is at 422 W. Lake Street in Tawas City, and the phone number is 989-984-1111. Deeds are recorded with the Register of Deeds. Current assessments are handled by each township or city assessor. For boundaries, hire a licensed Michigan surveyor.
Nearby counties
For more northern Michigan land research, see our Grand Traverse County guide, the Iosco County directory page or the Platbookmapper map.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Iosco County GIS map free?
Yes. The county’s FetchGIS map is free to use.
What details does the Iosco map show?
Parcel details can include SEV, taxable value, acreage, zoning, sales and delinquent tax information.
Where can I find old surveys in Iosco County?
The Equalization Department keeps section maps, plats and recorded surveys.
Why might taxes rise after I buy a cottage in Iosco?
In Michigan, taxable value generally uncaps after a sale and can rise toward the SEV.
Open the official Iosco County GIS viewer Iosco County in the Platbookmapper directory
Not a survey. County GIS and tax parcel maps are assessment and planning layers. They are not a substitute for a recorded plat, deed, or licensed survey — especially for fences, setbacks, or boundary disputes.