Resort
A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
On Torch Lake in Kewadin
A golf resort on the shore of Torch Lake in Kewadin, with condos and villas overlooking the lake and several championship courses.
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Torch Lake
Michigan's longest inland lake: 19 miles of deep, clear, all-sports water for skiing, tubing and the sandbar, plus lake trout and a Chain of Lakes link.
Torch Lake is the big, deep, clear one, and it is all-sports apart from no-wake zones at the river mouths. Ski, tube and cruise its 19-mile length, anchor at the sandbar off the south end, fish for lake trout and whitefish, or paddle it as one leg of the Chain of Lakes. It averages well over 100 feet deep. Swim at the public beaches in Eastport, Alden and Torch Lake Township, and in winter, know that this lake often stays open.
It runs about 19 miles north to south through western Antrim County and is never more than about 2 miles wide, with roughly 41 miles of shoreline. The Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council calls it the longest inland lake in Michigan and, at about 18,473 acres, the second largest by surface area. The council puts its maximum depth at about 302 feet (the Torch Conservation Center lists a deepest point of 352 feet) and credits it with the greatest depth and water volume of any inland lake in the state.
The lake began as a deep, fjord-like bay of ancient Lake Michigan. A sandbar formed across the bay’s mouth, at what is now the northwest end of the lake, and cut it off as an inland lake. Today the Clam River is its main inlet, and the Torch River carries its water out of the south end toward Lake Skegemog and Elk Lake.
Small communities including Eastport, Alden, Clam River and Torch River sit along the shore. Paddlers can follow Paddle Antrim’s long-distance route, which crosses the lake on the way from Bellaire through the Torch River and Lake Skegemog to Elk Rapids.
Before you swim, know that the water is cold, the bottom is rocky, and most of the shore is private. Stick to the public beaches, wear water shoes and stay inside the access boundaries.
On the water
Motorboats and rules
Most of the lake has no special local limits. The exception is the south end: you must stay at slow, no-wake speed on the Torch River and within 300 feet of the river mouth in the lake. The Clam River at the north end is also slow, no-wake.
Swimming
The public beaches with toilets are at the DNR boat launch in Eastport, Valleau Landing, Depot Park and the Ball Park in Alden, and William K. Good Day Park in Torch Lake Township. Pack water shoes: the bottom is rocky and zebra mussels on the rocks are sharp. The water is cold (roughly 40 to 60 degrees), so take care from September through May, and watch for swimmer's itch, which usually starts in late May or June. Most of the shore and bottomland is private, so stay inside public access boundaries.
Boating
The sandbar is a shallow, sandy play area on the south shore by the Torch River, popular for anchoring in shallow water. Come in slowly with no wake, watch your prop and other boats' anchor lines on the sandy bottom, and anchor out near the drop-off rather than close to shore. Do not dive from your boat. Keep music moderate, reach land only at public access sites, and do not stay the night: overnight mooring is not allowed on Torch Lake. In an emergency, call 911.
Paddling
Torch Lake is part of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, a network of more than 100 miles of lakes and rivers with 84 access sites, split into upper and lower chains by a dam at Bellaire. Paddle Antrim publishes a waterproof guidebook and a digital map of the trail. Watch the wind on a lake this long: a steady 35 mph north or south wind can build waves up to 4.5 feet.
Fishing
Torch Lake is good water for Atlantic salmon, lake trout, lake whitefish, rock bass and smallmouth bass. Its lake trout and whitefish reproduce naturally, and muskellunge, yellow perch and burbot also live in the lake. Check current Michigan DNR rules before fishing.
Fish species
Species include atlantic salmon, lake trout, lake whitefish, rock bass, and smallmouth bass.
Water clarity
Volunteer Secchi readings in summer 2025 ran 30 to 39 feet at the north station and 19 to 45 feet at the south station. Summer 2026 readings at the north station ran 18 to 28.5 feet.
Connected waters
Torch sits in the middle of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. The Torch River leaves the south end for Lake Skegemog and Elk Lake, and at the north end boats run up the Clam River to Clam Lake. The Clam River has a strong current where it meets Torch: stay inside the channel markers and wait until you reach Clam Lake to turn around.
Good to know
Zebra and quagga mussels, round goby and Eurasian watermilfoil are in the lake. Fish consumption advice covers several species, and current guidance is never to eat lake trout from Torch Lake, so check Michigan's Eat Safe Fish guide before you keep a catch.
In winter
Torch often does not freeze over, because its huge volume stores so much heat. When it does ice up, anglers go after whitefish, and the DNR reported good whitefish spearing in December 2014. Treat any ice here with caution and check conditions first.
Public boat launches
Torch River Bridge boating access site (DNR)
At the mouth of the Torch River on the south end, off Southwest Torch Lake Drive. A 2024 rebuild added two launch lanes with a skid pier, a carry-down launch for kayaks, paddleboards and canoes, parking for trailers and cars, and a vault toilet.
Eastport boating access site (DNR)
A DNR-managed launch at Eastport on the north end of the lake.
Torch Lake Township launch at William K. Good Day Park
Township launch beside the Day Park on Public Dock Road in Kewadin, on the northwest shore, with paid trailer parking. Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards are not permitted at the park.
Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Dockside Water Sports
Pontoon, family powerboat and jet ski rentals from a base on Torch Lake near Bellaire, as listed on its site.
- Torch River Shack
Pontoon rentals at the mouth of the Torch River, a short ride from the sandbar, as listed on its site.
- Vacation Water Sports
Pontoon and jet ski rentals, delivered to Torch Lake and other Chain of Lakes waters, as listed on its site.
- Elk Rapids Marina
Pontoons and tri-toons from Elk Lake that can run up the chain to Torch Lake and the sandbar, as listed on its site.
Listed because their own sites say they rent on this water. Not an endorsement, and we have no ties to them. Check with them for what is available.
Fishing, launching at a state site or parking at a state park? See licenses and passes for what you need before you go.
Anything not listed here is unverified. Do not assume public access across private shoreline. Check the Michigan DNR boating access listings and the current fishing regulations.
Location
Map of Torch Lake
1 place on an OpenStreetMap map
Places to stay near Torch Lake
Lakefront cottages and homes are listed by the local rental managers and booking sites below.
Hotels and inns
Budget
The Dexter HotelListed by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Search all hotels in Elk Rapids: Booking.com · Expedia · Hotels.com · Google Hotels
We don’t take bookings or earn anything from these links. Rates, availability and any booking problems are handled by the booking site.
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances from the map point.
Beach
Dam Beach (Elk Rapids)
A white-sand village beach on East Grand Traverse Bay beside the Elk Rapids hydro plant, off Ames Street, with a natural feel and a popular fishing spot nearby.
About 8 miles away (straight line)
Lighthouse
Mission Point Lighthouse
An 1870 lighthouse at the northern tip of the Old Mission Peninsula, with a climbable tower, a small museum, a beach and trails around it.
About 8 miles away (straight line)
Beach
South Beach (Northport)
Northport's village beach on Grand Traverse Bay, just south of the marina on Bay Street, with a sandy swim area, restrooms, picnic tables and a playground.
About 20 miles away (straight line)
More lakes and rivers nearby
River · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Elk River
The short river in Elk Rapids where the Chain of Lakes Water Trail ends, with a kayak launch, steelhead below the dam and salmon in fall.
- Public launch
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Elk Lake
A deep, clear, emerald-green all-sports lake at Elk Rapids: ski and cruise, rent a boat or slip at the marinas, swim at Whitewater Township Park.
- All-sports
- Swim beach
- Public launch
- Rentals
Lake · Grand Traverse & Inland Lakes
Lake Skegemog
A shallow, wetland-edged, all-sports lake between Torch and Elk: muskie and pike, perch through the ice and a paddle past a big protected shoreline.
- All-sports
- Public launch