There’s something nearly magical about some of the best lakes in Michigan. Whether it’s watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee from a deck overlooking the slow-moving water or heading out onto the water for some yellow perch fishing, Michigan offers something special throughout the year.
Knowing which lakes in Michigan are the right ones to visit on your trip can be a challenging task. Below, we detail the nine best lakes in Michigan for your wilderness exploration adventures.
1. Bass Lake
- Located: In Grand Traverse County, Michigan, within Long Lake Township, just a short drive southwest of Traverse City
- Best for: Boaters and anglers seeking a lively lake with great bass, pike and walleye fishing, plus easy access to nearby campgrounds and swimming areas
Bass Lake in Long Lake Township is an excellent option for boating and fishing and you’re sure to catch some of the abundant bass that call it home. Northern pike and walleye are also commonly present. It’s a busy lake during the boating season and hotels are only a few minutes away. Bass Lake campgrounds are also readily available.
For water lovers, Bass Lake offers the right combination of benefits, including swimming areas during the summer months and the ability to take a kayak or personal watercraft out for a thrilling ride. Canoeing along the inlets allows you to explore the local ecosystem up close and makes for a welcoming morning adventure.
2. Manistique Lake
- Located: In Mackinac County, Michigan, near the small town of Curtis in the Upper Peninsula
- Best for: Year-round outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy fishing, kayaking and ice fishing on one of the Upper Peninsula’s largest and most scenic lakes
As the largest of Michigan lakes in the Upper Peninsula, Manistique Lake offers more than 10,130 acres of exploration with a depth reaching 27 feet. It’s a year-round opportunity since ice fishing becomes popular by January. Numerous hotels exist in the area, but you’ll also find a number of Manistique Lake campgrounds and RV sites.
Summertime fishing for smallmouth bass and northern pike is a staple here, but head into the weeds for the bass. It’s also the ideal, slower-moving lake in spots for kayakers and paddleboarding. The lake itself has numerous hot spots for beachgoers and jet skis are welcome.
3. Torch Lake
- Located: In Antrim County, Michigan, stretching between the towns of Alden and Torch Lake Township in the northwest region of the Lower Peninsula
- Best for: Travelers seeking crystal-clear turquoise waters perfect for swimming, boating and socializing at lively sandbars along the shoreline
For a trip that includes exploring several lakes, start at Torch Lake. It’s one of the Chain of Lakes, with others such as Elk, Skegemog, Bellaire and Intermediate also likely to be a part of your journey. This water trail system is uniquely diverse in terms of water flow and vegetation.
For those who want to meet some friends, several sandbars exist along the southern shore of Torch Lake. There are even several food establishments in this area that will deliver right to your boat. With clear, turquoise waters, the lake is often called the Caribbean of the North. You can swim, scuba dive, snorkel and fish for lake trout and smallmouth bass much of the year.
4. Big Glen Lake
- Located: In Leelanau County, Michigan, just west of the village of Glen Arbor and adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
- Best for: Visitors looking for exceptionally clear waters ideal for kayaking, fishing and relaxing amid peaceful forests and stunning fall colors
Though not nearly as large as others at 4,871 acres of surface area, Big Glen Lake is deep, reaching as much as 130 feet in some areas. But there are other reasons to visit, including that it’s one of the cleanest lakes, with sparkling water. On a calm day, you’ll be able to see the bottom. Kayaking, paddling a canoe or simply walking along the rocky shore is peaceful and soothing.
You can rent a pontoon at one of the marinas, cruise along the shoreline, fish the day away and then explore the dense wooded areas surrounding the lake on a hike. This is another of Michigan’s best ice fishing lakes. Get some snowshoes for hiking in the winter. If you visit during the fall, the colors of the forested areas along Alligator Hill become incredibly rich. Because of its vibrancy and cleanliness, Big Glen Lake (along with Little Glen Lake) is becoming a popular destination.
5. Burt Lake
- Located: In Cheboygan County, Michigan, near the village of Indian River in the northern Lower Peninsula
- Best for: Families and outdoor lovers who enjoy boating, swimming and camping with easy access to Mackinac Island and Harbor Springs
Spanning 17,120 acres, Burt Lake is a large, beautiful and popular lake in Michigan. It’s in the Lower Peninsula, a few miles from the city of Cheboygan. It’s part of Burt Lake State Park and has over 2000 feet of sandy shoreline perfect for digging your toes in during the warmer months.
Burt Lake is an excellent choice for modern camping, with RV sites and campsites available in numerous areas. Boating, fishing and swimming draw people in from around the region. Burt Lake State Park itself is good for younger families since some of the swimming areas are rather shallow with low wave risks.
Another reason to choose Burt Lake as one of the best Michigan Lakes to visit is its location. It’s only a short drive to area attractions on Mackinac Island, Harbor Springs and the Historic Mill Creek. Plan a long trip to explore it all.
6. Lake Charlevoix
- Located: In Charlevoix County, Michigan, surrounded by the towns of Charlevoix, Boyne City and East Jordan in the northwest Lower Peninsula
- Best for: Visitors seeking a mix of scenic beauty and small-town charm with opportunities for boating, fishing, beachgoing and exploring local shops and attractions
Lake Charlevoix often receives recognition as one of the best lakes in the country, for good reason. The entire area is stunning from the first blooms of spring through the late fall when the first snowflakes start to fall. It’s also in the center of several of the city’s resort towns, including Charlevoix, Boyne City and the East Jordan area.
With more than 55 miles of beaches, including plenty of areas for sandcastle building, this large lake offers something for everyone. While Lake Charlevoix spans 17,000 acres, it still feels like a quiet, remote area. Visit some of the area’s attractions, such as Castle Farms, which was built in 1918 as a model dairy farm or explore the architect Early Young’s hobbit-like stone homes called the mushroom homes. You can spend time golfing, going on a craft beer tour or enjoying the shopping. From Ferry Beach Park to the Charlevoix Memorial Drawbridge, there’s so much to explore. It’s no wonder the area, including nearby Horton Bay, was the backdrop of Earnest Hemingway’s “Up in Michigan” stories.
7. Higgins Lake
- Located: In Roscommon County, Michigan, in the central northern Lower Peninsula, just west of the town of Roscommon
- Best for: Travelers looking for a quieter lake experience with clear, spring-fed waters ideal for fishing, swimming and relaxing away from the crowds
Located in the Central Northern area of the state, Higgins Lake is the secret destination. While everyone visiting the area heads to Torch Lake, if you want fewer crowds and just as beautiful a lake to explore, go to Higgins. The lake is glacier-carved, which makes it a true destination for those who love natural beauty. It’s also a spring-fed lake, which makes it much different from the more intense and larger lakes nearby.
If you’re fishing for perch, you’ll find it here. The clear waters, which are often just as blue as those in the Caribbean, make this a special experience. You can also spend the day off the water by taking in the area’s shops and small artisan restaurants or golfing at the Forest Dunes Golf Club in Roscommon.
8. Crooked Lake
- Located: In Emmet County, Michigan, near the town of Alanson in the northwest Lower Peninsula
- Best for: Anglers and paddlers seeking a small, peaceful lake with excellent fishing, kayaking and nearby hiking and biking trails
Crooked Lake is a rather small location, with just 264 acres of surface area and a depth reaching 73 feet. If your goal is to fish, you’ll find bluegill, crappie and catfish abundantly available here. You can easily spend some time kayaking along the slow-moving water with the numerous weedy areas where fish love to hide.
Other nearby activities include hiking and biking trails that take you around the entire lake. Swimming here can also be enjoyable, especially since the water maintains a deep blue color for much of the year. And, because you’re just off US 131, you’re close to area restaurants, shops and other things to do. This is also one of the top lakes in Michigan for ice fishing and ice skating come winter. Because it’s smaller, the surface area tends to freeze over faster, providing more opportunities for wintertime fun.
9. Lake St. Clair
- Located: In Macomb County, Michigan, near Harrison Township along the U.S.–Canada border, just northeast of Detroit
- Best for: Visitors looking for a calm, shallow lake ideal for boating, water skiing, swimming and exploring parks and nature trails along the shoreline
Lake St. Clair in Harrison Township sits right by the Canadian border. It’s a shallow lake, reaching only about 27 feet of depth. There are various reasons to make this one of the Michigan lakes you visit each year. That includes the relaxing, calm lake and the surrounding area. It’s less tourism-driven, which means more nature and less sharing of it with others. Swimming in the blue waters is just the right way to cool off on a hot Michigan summer day.
Plan to stay for a week or longer. When you do, you can also visit Lake St. Clair Metropark. There’s a long boardwalk here, a picnic area and a nature center that offers various educational events and programming throughout the year. You’ll also find a swimming pool here with a water slide that makes it fun for people of all ages.
Lake St. Clair isn’t boring by any means. You can water ski during the warmer months and go tubing as well. There are numerous rental locations throughout the region and a marina where you can rent a canoe or kayak for intense exploration on your own power. You can grab a bite to eat at Terry's Terrace. As one of the best lakes in Michigan, but one that isn’t as often sought after, Lake St. Clair is a great location to visit when you have a group of travelers with numerous desires.
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