Torch Lake (Antrim County)
Torch Lake is a large, deep natural lake in Antrim and Kalkaska Counties, part of the Chain of Lakes in northwest Lower Michigan. It supports a coldwater fishery of self-sustaining lake trout and whitefish along with smallmouth bass, yellow perch and muskellunge.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Lake Trout
Self-sustaining by natural reproduction
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Muskellunge
50-inch minimum size limit
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Boat launches
4 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- 1Torch Lake - Eastport Boat Launch (MDNR)PublicTorch Lake Township; hard-surface large-watercraft ramp, 55 parking spaces, restroom, Recreation Passport requiredDirections ↗
- 2Alden Ball Park Water AccessPublic11656 S East Torch Lake Dr, Alden; carry-in launch with kayak ramp, restrooms, parkingDirections ↗
- 3Torch Lake North Access (Kewadin)PublicPublic boat ramp, Michigan DNR listingDirections ↗
- More public accessPublicSee the Michigan DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Torch Lake (including tributaries) is on the 50-inch minimum size waters list | 50 in | 1 per angler per license year |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Michigan Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Butch's Tackle & MarineNearby6235 Crystal Springs Rd, Bellaire, MI(231) 377-6787Directions ↗
- Bellaire Bait & TackleNearby3225 S. M-88 Hwy, Bellaire, MI(231) 350-7126Directions ↗
Local tips
- Lake trout are self-sustaining here, but the DNR advises not eating lake trout from Torch Lake due to dioxin; check current consumption advisories.
- Muskellunge must be at least 50 inches and the limit is 1 per angler per license year.
- The Eastport DNR launch has a large hard-surface ramp with 55 parking spaces; a Recreation Passport is required.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
More Michigan lakes
Lake Charlevoix Burt Lake Mullett Lake Lake Gogebic Manistique Lake Black Lake Crystal Lake Portage Lake (Houghton County) All Michigan lakes →
Always wear a life jacket and check your state's current regulations before you fish.