This pretty lake is named after Barney O'Donnell whose home over-looked the lake. Huge lilac bushes now mark where the house stood. It is located on the Darkeytown Road, which in turn gets its name from Michael "Darkey Mike" O'Donnell who was black Irish.
This lake nestled among the trees in a hollow of dune is known for its Small Mouth Bass, Northern Pike and Blue Gill. It's a popular spot in the winter months for ice fishing too.
Most of the land around this lake is now protected by the Little Traverse Conservancy as the Barney's Lake Nature Preserve in memory of Barney and Margaret O'Donnell who homesteaded here.