Hotel · Budget
The Weathervane Inn
On the White Lake shore in downtown Montague
A 23-room inn on the White Lake waterfront in Montague, a short walk from downtown and beside the Hart-Montague trail.
Lake · Southern Gateway
White Lake
An all-sports lake between Whitehall and Montague: ski, tube and cruise, with marinas, pontoon and kayak rentals and a channel out to Lake Michigan.
White Lake is the calm-water option next to Lake Michigan, and outside the no-wake ends it is an all-sports lake: ski, tube and cruise. It covers 2,571 acres and reaches about 71 feet at its deepest.
Swim at its sandy beaches, a calmer alternative to the big lake, put in a kayak or boat from launches around the shore, and run the channel out to Lake Michigan when you want open water. Boaters can tie up at Whitehall’s city marina or Crosswinds Marine Service, and both list fuel, pump-out and transient slips. No boat? Duneshore Boating delivers pontoons on the lake, and WaterDog Outfitters in Whitehall rents kayaks and paddleboards.
It sits just inland from Lake Michigan in northern Muskegon County, with the twin towns of Whitehall and Montague on its shores. At 2,571 acres it is a drowned river mouth: the White River, a state-designated Natural River, flows into it, and a federally maintained channel carries its water on to Lake Michigan.
The water has been cleaned up. Like Muskegon Lake to the south, White Lake spent years on the list of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Sediments in parts of the lake were contaminated by discharges from leather processing and chemical companies, and runoff added nutrients. After cleanup and habitat work, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency removed it from the list on October 30, 2014.
On the water
Motorboats and rules
Slow no-wake at the west end, from the Government Channel past Indian Point, and at the east end between the US-31 bridge and Maple Beach Park. The rest of the lake has no local limits.
Swimming
The lake's sandy beaches are a calmer place to swim than Lake Michigan, and the visitors bureau lists several waterfront parks around the shore in Whitehall and Montague.
Public access
Boat launches with concrete ramps and dedicated kayak launches sit around the shoreline, giving access to White Lake and Lake Michigan. The lake's sandy beaches are a calmer alternative to the big lake.
Boating
The lake is connected to Lake Michigan by a federally maintained navigation channel, so you can take a boat from White Lake out to the big lake.
Stocking
Walleye in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2024 and 2026, and muskellunge in 2016, 2021 and 2024. Brown trout were stocked in the White Lake channel from 2016 to 2018.
Connected waters
A federally maintained navigation channel links White Lake to Lake Michigan, so you can take a boat straight out to the big lake.
Public boat launches
Montague Roesler Park launch
City of Montague launch with a six-lane hard-surface ramp that handles all trailerable boats, three piers, parking for about 45 trailers, restrooms and a fish-cleaning station.
Marinas
- White Lake Municipal Marina
City of Whitehall marina at the northeast end of the lake, near downtown. It lists seasonal slips and ten transient slips, gas and diesel, a pump-out, water and electric, showers and restrooms.
- Crosswinds Marine Service
Full-service marina in Whitehall, across the bridge from Montague. It lists slips from 30 to 50 feet, transient slips up to 105 feet, fuel, a pump-out, repair service and indoor and outdoor storage.
Boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals
- Duneshore Boating
Lists daily, multi-day and weekly pontoon rentals and a few stand-up paddleboards, delivered to your spot on White Lake.
- WaterDog Outfitters
Whitehall outdoor shop that lists kayak, paddleboard and bike rentals by the hour, day or week.
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.
Through the seasons
Summer
Summer is the season for swimming at the lake's beaches, launching boats and kayaks, and heading out the channel to Lake Michigan.
Location
Map of White Lake
2 places on an OpenStreetMap map
Places to stay near White Lake
Lakefront cottages and homes are listed by the local rental managers and booking sites below.
Hotels and inns
Upscale
Michillinda LodgeListed by the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau · Listed by Pure Michigan, the state travel bureau
Confirm details before booking.
Budget
The Weathervane InnListed by the White Lake Area Chamber & Visitors Bureau · Listed by Pure Michigan, the state travel bureau
Search all hotels in Whitehall and Montague: 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 towns
Southern Gateway · Small town
Whitehall and Montague
Twin towns on White Lake for a mix of lighthouse, beach and bike trail, with Duck Lake State Park nearby and the start of the Hart-Montague Trail.
About 2 miles away (straight line)
Nearby attractions
Straight-line distances from the map point.
Historic site
The Playhouse at White Lake (Howmet Playhouse)
Whitehall's 1916 theater, renovated and renamed the Playhouse at White Lake, with summer theater, Michigan music, films and youth theater.
About 2 miles away (straight line)
Lighthouse
White River Light Station
An 1875 brick lighthouse at the White Lake channel, now a maritime museum, with a 38-foot tower you can climb in season.
About 3 miles away (straight line)
Attraction
Muskegon Luge Adventure Sports Park
A year-round adventure park inside Muskegon State Park with a luge track, lighted cross-country ski trails and skating in winter, and a zip line in summer.
About 9 miles away (straight line)
More lakes and rivers nearby
Lake · Southern Gateway
Muskegon Lake
A big all-sports harbor lake at Muskegon: ski, tube and sail, with full-service marinas, five launches, a channel to Lake Michigan and winter perch.
- All-sports
- Public launch
River · Southern Gateway
White River
An easy Natural River float by tube, canoe or kayak near Hesperia, with Montague liveries, fall salmon, spring steelhead and quiet winter trout fishing.
- Public launch
- Rentals
Lake · Southern Gateway
Spring Lake
A bayou-lined lake by Grand Haven with marinas, a public beach and a river route to Lake Michigan. Boats 26 feet and up stay no-wake; kayak the coves.
- Swim beach
- Public launch
- Rentals