Michigan is stuffed with wonderful lakes. A lot that it’s even generally known as the “Nice Lakes State”. After all the Nice Lakes are improbable lakes in Michigan to get pleasure from, however there are such a lot of extra our bodies of water that supply loads of enjoyable within the solar!
We’re breaking down a number of the most lovely lakes in Michigan to go to (that aren’t the Nice Lakes!).
The Most Stunning Michigan Lakes to Go to
Crooked Lake
Crooked Lake, which is located in Oakland County, is way smaller than any of the Nice Lakes however giant sufficient to be a well-liked leisure space in all seasons. Throughout the hotter months, guests get pleasure from mountaineering and biking trails across the lake and a wide range of actions, together with kayaking and swimming on the small seashore that may be discovered alongside the U.S. 131 freeway.
Anglers come to the lake to attempt their luck at reeling in a wide range of fish together with bluegill, crappie, and catfish. In autumn, folks come to view and {photograph} the spectacular fall colours towards the blue waters of the lake. Even the winter months draw guests who come for ice skating and ice fishing.
Bass Lake
Positioned within the Lengthy Lake Township of Grand Traverse County, Bass Lake is an exquisite lake widespread with boaters and anglers. Because the title suggests, bass is usually caught within the lake, however walleye and northern pike are additionally generally reeled in.
Adventurous kayakers and canoeists paddle to the 2 largest islands on the lake, Lengthy Island and Darien Island whereas different thrill-seekers take to waterskiing.
The lake can be nice for swimming and one of the best place to wade into the lake is on the Falls Seaside and Recreation Level. Should you’d prefer to spend the evening on the lake and benefit from the views some extra, there are inns located alongside its shores.
Lake St. Clair
Positioned close to the border of Canada and america in Harrison Township, Lake St. Clair is one other space across the lake that’s quiet the place you’ll be able to loosen up on the shore with out the crowds. Nevertheless, should you’re in search of journey, boating, water snowboarding, and tubing are widespread actions on the lake.
Should you suppose the clear, blue waters look inviting sufficient to go for a swim, you’d be proper! There are a number of Michigan seashores alongside the shores together with Mitchell’s Bay Seaside, New Baltimore, Marine Metropolis Seaside and Belle Isle Seaside. Lake St. Clair Metropark is the place you’ll discover a scenic boardwalk, picnic space, nature middle, mountaineering trails, and a swimming pool with a water slide.
Care to do some fishing? No scarcity of species to reel in right here. Muskie, catfish, carp, yellow perch, and bass are just some.
Manistique Lake
Large Manistique Lake, as locals name it, is likely one of the largest Michigan lakes within the Higher Peninsula, simply exterior the small city of Curtis. The lake is a well-liked one for nature and out of doors lovers. Within the winter it’s a well-liked place for ice fishing, whereas in the summertime you’ll discover all types of life right here. Fishermen come in search of Northern Pike and Smallmouth Bass to convey dwelling, and jetskiers, paddleboarders and kayakers head right here for a little bit of solar and enjoyable.
Large Glen Lake
As one of many cleanest lakes in Michigan, you’ll be able to wager that Large Glen Lake close to Glen Arbor is a well-liked vacation spot for nature lovers in search of a pristine place to kayak, swim, or simply benefit from the fairly environment.
The lake has a number of the clearest waters within the state too so you’ll be able to see straight to the underside in some locations. In the correct situations, the water takes on an exquisite blue coloration that makes it much more picturesque. Not that it isn’t all the time lovely, since in spite of everything, it’s stated to be one of the crucial lovely lakes on the earth!
Take a dip within the refreshing waters close to Outdated Settlers Park, take a hike, go fishing, or just benefit from the views from Inspiration Level.
Lake Leelanau
Lake Leelanau, in any other case generally known as Carp Lake, is the most important lake within the area of the Leelanau Peninsula. The realm across the lake is also called Michigan’s Wine Nation so the numerous vineyards make the lake and its surrounding space all that rather more lovely. This 8,320-acre lake has 40 miles of shoreline so it’s nice for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Burt Lake
At 17,120 acres, Burt Lake is a reasonably large and scenic lake positioned on the northern Decrease Peninsula close to Cheboygan. Whereas your complete space round this lake options lovely surroundings, it’s finest loved at Burt Lake State Park the place you’ll discover over 2,000 toes of sandy shoreline with clear waters appropriate for swimming.
Tuscarora Township Park can be a fantastic place to take a dip or get pleasure from a picnic, and Maple Bay County Campground is the place you’ll be able to spend the evening with entry to a different beautiful seashore.
Lake Charlevoix
As soon as voted within the high 5 finest lakes in america, it’s no surprise why so many individuals flock to the shores of Lake Charlevoix. The lake is understood for its pure magnificence and is likely one of the clearest lakes in Michigan.
The lake has waters which can be hotter than most of the different lakes within the area so swimming at space seashores, together with Depot Seaside and Ferry Seaside, is one thing that attracts many individuals to the lake.
Because the third-largest lake in Michigan, you’ll discover so many issues to do together with visiting Fisherman’s Island State Park and Younger State Park. Kayaking, crusing, and fishing are additionally widespread on the lake. Afterward your lake time, be sure that to go to among the finest Michigan breweries!
Crystal Lake
There’s some logic behind Crystal Lake’s title. Only one take a look at that glowing, crystal-clear water, and also you’ll know instantly! Located in Benzie County close to Frankfort, the lake is a well-liked retreat for out of doors lovers and adventurers. Frankfort already is likely one of the most romantic locations to go to in Michigan, and spending time on the lake is certain to be fulfilling!
Whether or not you wish to get pleasure from swimming, boating, kayaking, waterskiing, fishing, or snorkeling, you are able to do all of this stuff and extra at this lovely lake. The Betsie Valley Path is a 22-mile path across the lake appropriate for mountaineering and biking.
Higher Herring Lake
Higher Herring Lake is a 540-acre lake located in Benzie County. Many individuals escape to this serene lakeshore surrounded by pristine pure environment. Others come to get pleasure from a wide range of out of doors actions. Whereas fishing, you may snag your self a rock bass, northern pike, yellow perch, or trout.
Whereas mountaineering the two-kilometer Higher Herring Lake Path, you’ll spot a wide range of birds, and cross by marsh habitats. Whereas kayaking or canoeing, you’ll benefit from the lovely surroundings from the calm water of the lake.
Elk Lake
Located close to Elk Rapids in Northern Michigan, Elk Lake is surrounded by nature and fairly surroundings. It’s additionally a well-liked place for guests wishing to take part in a spread of out of doors actions each on land and within the water.
Fishing is likely one of the extra widespread actions and trout, bass, perch, ciscoes and whitefish are a number of the fish species that thrive within the lake. Kayaking, tubing, wakeboarding, water snowboarding, and crusing are simply a number of the thrilling actions that await.
Gull Lake
Whereas the super-clear waters of Gull Lake make it a well-liked spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, this 2030-acre lake, which is located close to Kalamazoo, can be a well-liked spot for swimming, crusing, kayaking and fishing.
A lot of parks are additionally positioned across the lake. Should you occur to be there in early summer time, you’ll discover that the water turns a stunning emerald coloration.
Higgins Lake
Higgins Lake is one other Michigan lake that’s typically stated to be one of the crucial lovely lakes on the earth. With crystal clear waters, sandy stretches of shoreline, and pristine wilderness throughout, this 9,900-acre lake is the proper place to flee for a day. Swimming, boating, picnicking, and fishing are widespread actions on the day-use space.
If a day at this lake isn’t lengthy sufficient, tenting is on the market at South Higgins Lake State Park and North Higgins State Lake Park.
Torch Lake
If you consider Michigan, I wager the very last thing that involves your thoughts is tropical or Caribbean. Properly, welcome to Torch Lake, Caribbean of the North and among the finest locations to go to in Michigan. It’s true; one look at this sprawling lake with clear, glowing, turquoise water and also you’ll suppose you had been on a Caribbean island.
Torch Lake can be well-known for its sandbars, for being the deepest inland lake in Michigan and for being voted the third most lovely lake on the earth.
This lake has every thing wanted for an ideal lakeside trip together with swimming areas and entry to many actions together with mountaineering, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, and fishing. This beautiful outdoor-lovers paradise is simply a brief distance away from Traverse Metropolis.
Spider Lake
There are various lakes in Michigan which have a popularity for being good fishing spots, however Spider Lake close to Traverse Metropolis has an exceptionally good popularity for fishing! With 450 acres of clear, deep water mixed with a surrounding of deep woods and 29 miles of scenic shoreline, a calming day on the lake is what you’ll be able to anticipate.
If fishing isn’t your factor, the water remains to be shallow sufficient to take care of an honest temperature for swimming and the wild environment are an out of doors lover’s dream. Within the hotter months, you’ll be able to get pleasure from canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, and windsurfing. Come winter, ice fishing is a well-liked exercise on the lake.
Lake Bellaire
Lake Bellaire is one other one of the crucial lovely lakes in Michigan. At 1,793 acres and with 12 miles of shoreline and ultimate situations, there’s loads of room to get pleasure from all kinds of actions together with swimming, boating, kayaking, waterskiing, windsurfing, crusing and fishing for perch, herring, whitefish, bass, trout and plenty of different species of fish.
The lake is surrounded by beautiful wild surroundings that features wetlands, swamps and marshes which can be dwelling to many species of plant and animal life. An in a single day journey to the lake is made potential with direct entry to rustic lakeside cabins, campgrounds, and different lodging.
Silver Lake
Recognized for its abundance of thrilling, family-fun actions, Silver Lake in Golden Township is a well-liked lakeside getaway for each locals and guests alike. Probably the most distinctive factor to do at this lovely lake revolves across the big sand dunes.
Some folks select to hike up these dunes however why hike when you’ll be able to experience them on a specially-made board! Youngsters love working down the dunes to leap within the surprisingly deep water of the shoreline on the backside.
The sandy shores and clear waters of Perry Public Seaside are excellent for swimming. In autumn, it’s the spectacular fall colours that draw folks to the lake.
Lake Muskegon
Positioned in Muskegon County, Muskegon Lake is a 4,150-acre leisure space recognized for its lovely surroundings and plenty of alternatives to take part in a spread of out of doors actions.
Crusing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, mountaineering and tenting are just some of the actions which can be widespread on the lake and round its shores. Cosy Harbour State Park has picnic areas, grills, mountaineering trails, and a swimming space.
Paradise Lake
Paradise Lake in Emmet County definitely lives as much as its title if the good outdoor is your thought of paradise! The lake is pretty small at 1,900 acres, however there’s loads of room on the water to get pleasure from a day of fishing for largemouth bass, perch, pike and rainbow trout.
Alongside the ten miles of shoreline is pristine wilderness that offers the lake its distant, middle-of-nowhere really feel. Deer, bears, wild turkeys, and eagles are sometimes noticed across the lake. Moreover fishing, you may as well get pleasure from swimming within the lake and crusing and kayaking are widespread.
Mullett Lake
Mullett Lake is a big 16,630-acre lake positioned in decrease Michigan additionally recognized for its nice fishing. There are sizable populations of many fish species within the lake together with splake, smelt, lake sturgeon, trout, smelt, and muskellunge. Kayaking, canoeing and swimming are additionally widespread at this lovely lake.
Lake Superior
In relation to lakes in Michigan, the grandest of all of them is Lake Superior (I do know I stated I wouldn’t point out the Nice Lakes, however I couldn’t resist only one!). As one of many Nice Lakes, this lake is large and it’s lovely too. Masking 31,700 sq. miles, it takes 4 or 5 days simply to drive round it! With a lake this measurement, you’ll be able to wager there’s a variety of various ecosystems and scenic viewpoints.
One other factor the lake is understood for is its clear waters. Swimming is a well-liked exercise in lots of areas across the lake however there are a lot of different issues to do together with fishing, mountaineering and boating. Gooseberry Falls and Cut up Rock Lighthouse are simply two of the favored points of interest you’ll discover round Lake Superior.
Michigan Lakes FAQ
What are the 5 nice lakes?
Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario. These lakes include 20% of the world’s floor freshwater. Lake Superior comprises half of the water in all of the Nice Lakes. Michigan borders all of the Nice Lakes moreover Lake Ontario.
Michigan boasts nearly 3300 miles of Nice Lakes shoreline, which suggests Michigan has essentially the most freshwater shoreline of any state!
What number of lakes are in Michigan?
We now have greater than 11,000 inland lakes and so they all weigh in at 5 acres or bigger.
The place is the clearest lake in Michigan?
It’s all subjective in fact, however most say that both Large Glen Lake, Lake Superior, or Torch Lake are the clearest and cleanest lakes in Michigan.
Which state has essentially the most lakes?
The state with essentially the most lakes isn’t Michigan. Minnesota is definitely known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” although it has practically 12,000 lakes. Although all that being stated the state with essentially the most lakes is definitely Alaska.
Most Stunning Lakes in Michigan Map
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I hope you loved this information on one of the best Michigan lakes. Listed here are a couple of related articles for extra journey round Michigan.