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The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (upper arm) is open for everyone; the other 3 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen

Torch Lake

Antrim County, Michigan · 18,800 acres (29.3 sq mi)

49°F water, calm tomorrow afternoon.

Water49°F
Level—no gauge
Wind today10 mphN
Best bite3:30 pmto 5:15 pm

About Torch Lake

In Antrim County, Michigan, Torch Lake covers 18,800 acres; it is a natural lake. Torch Lake is Michigan's deepest inland lake and is famous for its turquoise, Caribbean-like clear water.

It stretches about 17.5 miles end to end with roughly 40 miles of shoreline. The water sits about 590 ft above sea level. It reaches about 285 ft at its deepest, with an average depth near 111 ft. Rapid City is about 1.8 miles south.

Size
18,800 acres (29.3 sq mi)
Deepest
About 285 ft (average 111 ft)
Shoreline
About 40 miles
End to end
About 17.5 miles
Elevation
About 590 ft
Type
Natural lake
County
Antrim County
Water
Known for clear water

The lake from above

1 5 miles N
Spot 1 is open for everyone; grey dots are the PRO spots.

Best fishing times

Friday Good

  • 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise
  • 3:30 pm – 5:15 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Saturday Good

  • 7:00 am – 9:15 amsunrise · wind 10 mph
  • 3:45 pm – 5:45 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 10 mph

Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.

Fish in Torch Lake

Torch Lake holds smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, trout, northern pike, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. With the surface at 49°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.

  • Fair
    Smallmouth bass

    Picking up. Look on rocky points and gravel.

  • Good
    Walleye

    Good cool-water bite, best at dusk and after dark.

  • Good
    Lake trout

    Cool surface. They come shallower; try shore points.

  • Good
    Trout

    Good range. Near the surface and along shorelines.

  • Good
    Northern pike

    Prime range. Weed edges and shallow bays.

From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.

Fishing spots

  1. 1
    Upper arm

    The lake narrows toward the incoming river or creek; moving water carries food.

  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

3 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.

Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.

Water temperature

49°F

At the surface, seen .

Water level

No daily level reading for this lake.

Ice

Open water

Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.

Weather and wind

Friday 41° / —° 10 mph N Chance Rain Showers · 46% rain
Saturday 42° / 36° 10 mph N Slight Chance Rain Showers · 25% rain
Sunday 44° / 37° 5 mph NW Partly Sunny · 1% rain

Sunrise 7:36 am · sunset 5:13 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).

Towns and places to stay near Torch Lake

  • Rapid Cityabout 1.8 mi south
  • Bellaireabout 3.5 mi east
  • Elk Rapidsabout 4.5 mi southwest
  • Kalkaskaabout 10 mi south

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Questions about Torch Lake

What fish are in Torch Lake?

Torch Lake holds smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, trout, northern pike, yellow perch and bluegill and sunfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.

How deep is Torch Lake?

About 285 ft at the deepest point, about 111 ft on average. The 3-D view shows where the deep water is.

How big is Torch Lake?

18,800 acres, with about 40 miles of shoreline.

What town is near Torch Lake?

Rapid City is about 1.8 miles south; Bellaire is about 3.5 miles east.

What is the water temperature at Torch Lake today?

The surface was about 49°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.

Torch Lake on your phone

The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.

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