Torch Lake Fishing
A 18,736-acre Michigan lake in Antrim County, trout lake Type E.
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Torch Lake: size, place and fish
Antrim County holds Torch Lake, a lake of 18,736 acres. The nearest Census place is Bellaire, roughly 5 miles from the shore point. Management unit: Central Lake Michigan; peninsula: Lower Peninsula. Its water heads toward the Northeastern Lake Michigan-Lake Michigan basin, in the North Central Hardwood Forests ecoregion.
MDNR records name atlantic salmon, lake whitefish, cisco and trout. You can launch at 5 public launches. A 2023 satellite estimate shows about 23.7 feet of visibility.
For the salmon herePiscifun AlumiX spinning reel46% OFFSale $64.99 What swims in Torch Lake
Each fish below has an MDNR record tied to Torch Lake.
How often surveys found each fish at Torch Lake
| Species | Atlas records | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic salmon | 1 | 2001 |
| Lake whitefish | 1 | 1997 |
| Lake herring | 4 | 1923 to 1991 |
| Northern logperch | 7 | 1888 to 1941 |
| Johnny darter | 4 | 1923 to 1941 |
| Longnose dace | 4 | 1923 to 1941 |
| Brown trout | 2 | 1931 to 1941 |
| Creek chub | 2 | 1931 to 1941 |
| Mottled sculpin | 2 | 1931 to 1941 |
| Slimy sculpin | 2 | 1923 to 1941 |
| American brook lamprey | 1 | 1941 |
| Rainbow trout | 1 | 1941 |
| Lake trout | 8 | 1923 to 1931 |
| Yellow perch | 8 | 1923 to 1931 |
MDNR Fish Atlas and Family Friendly Fishing lists, MDNR stocking table, checked October 2026. Older collections are history, not a current survey.
The inland trout Type for Torch Lake
| Rule | Value for Torch Lake |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Type E Non Designated |
| Fishing season | January 1st to December 31st |
| Possession season | January 1st to December 31st |
| Daily possession | Three (3) trout and Atlantic salmon, combined and zero (0) Arctic Grayling. |
| Tackle | All types of natural bait and artificial lures may be used. |
| Minimum sizes | brook 15", brown 15", rainbow 15", splake 15", lake trout 15", Chinook 10", coho 10", pink 10", Atlantic 15" |
Use the Type E rules above for trout and salmon on Torch Lake.
MDNR Trout and Salmon Inland Lake Regulation Types layer and 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 42-65.
Launch sites at Torch Lake
- Torch River Bridge Boat Access2 lanes, 31 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport; Traverse City State Park
- Eastport Boat Access1 lane, 35 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Recreation Passport; Young State Park
- Waring Road Boat Access1 lane, 3 trailer spaces; Antrim County
- Forest Home Township Parkcarry-in launch, 4 trailer spaces, courtesy pier; Forest Home Township
- Helena Township Boat Accessboat ramp; Helena Township
Ramps within reach of Torch Lake
- Lake Bellaire North Boat AccessLake Bellaire, 3 miles east
- Clam Lake Boat AccessClam Lake, 4 miles southeast
- Steiner Road Boat AccessLake Bellaire, 4 miles southeast
- Birch Lake Boat AccessBirch Lake, 4 miles southwest
- Deep Water Point Boat AccessIntermediate Lake, 5 miles northeast
- Fisherman's Paradise Boat AccessLake Bellaire, 5 miles southeast
MDNR Parks and Recreation boat access sites and MDNR fishing sites, checked October 2026.
The color and clarity of Torch Lake
EGLE derives the Torch Lake readings from Landsat, July through September.
Algae, measured as chlorophyll a, ran 0.76 micrograms per liter in 2023.
EGLE Michigan Inland Lakes Water Clarity layer (Landsat, July to September), checked October 2026. Depth is not published here: the layer depth fields are unreliable.
Season dates at Torch Lake
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters) | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout and salmon (lake Type E) | 3; minimum brook 15", brown/rainbow/splake 15", lake trout 15", Chinook/coho/pink 10", Atlantic 15" | Open all year |
The table gives the statewide inland limits Torch Lake falls under on the Lower Peninsula.
Muskie on Torch Lake carry the special 50-inch size limit.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), statewide tables and county exceptions, checked October 2026.
MDNR plants at Torch Lake
Between 2024 and 2026, 8 recorded plants put 77,867 fish into Torch Lake; atlantic salmon lead the list.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 12, 2026 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 18 in | 12,750 |
| May 12, 2026 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 18 in | 12,744 |
| April 30, 2025 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 16.9 in | 17,676 |
| April 30, 2025 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 18.5 in | 7,710 |
| April 30, 2025 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 17.5 in | 7,049 |
| April 30, 2025 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 17.8 in | 2,740 |
| May 13, 2024 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 19.8 in | 15,871 |
| June 6, 2024 | Atlantic salmon | Landlocked | 20.3 in | 1,327 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026. Michigan stocking.
Torch Lake compared with close lakes
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Launches | Clarity ft | Fish listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Torch Lake | 18,736 | 5 | 23.7 | 4 | |
| Clam Lake, Antrim County | 4 miles southeast | 438 | 1 | 12.3 | 0 |
| Lake Bellaire | 5 miles southeast | 1,790 | 3 | 10.6 | 1 |
| Birch Lake, Antrim County | 5 miles southwest | 326 | 1 | 16.3 | 0 |
| Intermediate Lake | 5 miles northeast | 1,572 | 3 | 11.2 | 2 |
| Blair Lake, Antrim County | 6 miles east | 23 | 0 | 2.1 | 0 |
EGLE inland lake layer, MDNR access sites and Fish Atlas.
A short drive from Torch Lake
Lakes in the same corner as Torch Lake
- Clam Lake, Antrim County4 miles southeast
- Lake Bellaire5 miles southeast
- Birch Lake, Antrim County5 miles southwest
- Intermediate Lake5 miles northeast
- Blair Lake, Antrim County6 miles east
Shops to stop at on the way to Torch Lake
- DeWitt Marine Incmarina, Bellaire, 3 miles
- Bellaire Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bellaire, 5 miles
- Captain's Choice Marine LLCbait and tackle shop, Bellaire, 5 miles
- Northern Michigan Docks Incmarina, Central Lake, 6 miles
- Bedell's Crossingbait and tackle shop, Central Lake, 7 miles
- Lakeside Corner Storebait and tackle shop, Central Lake, 7 miles
Guides that list Torch Lake
- Daydreamer Fishing Charter Svccharter, Williamsburg, (231) 218-5176
- Fish With Jim Outfitterscharter, Mancelona, (248) 252-1277
- Hooked Sport Fishing Charterscharter, Williamsburg, (231) 633-0834
- Torch Time Charters Northcharter, Central Lake, (231) 590-1949
Base camps for Torch Lake
- Bellaire5 miles
- Central Lake7 miles
- Alden7 miles
Counties that Torch Lake spans
- Antrim Countyseat: Bellaire
Piscifun gear picked for Torch Lake
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Species to expect at Torch Lake
Photo: Engbretson, Eric, Public domain
Photo: Meine Mutter (Erlaubnis liegt vor), CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Knepp Timothy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Things to settle before fishing Torch Lake
Which part of Michigan holds Torch Lake?
Its shore is in Antrim County, Central Lake Michigan Management Unit, about 5 miles from Bellaire.
What size is Torch Lake?
18,736 acres of surface water.
Does Torch Lake have a public boat launch?
MDNR maps 5 public launches; Torch River Bridge Boat Access is a good start.
What swims in Torch Lake?
atlantic salmon, lake whitefish, cisco and trout, per MDNR records.
Which MDNR rules govern Torch Lake?
Walleye (Lower Peninsula): 5; minimum 15 inches; season Last Sat. in April – March 15. Muskellunge here carry a 50-inch minimum.
Can a visitor fish Torch Lake on a Michigan license?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
Does Torch Lake run clear or murky?
Summer 2023 imagery: about 23.7 feet.
Who sells bait nearest Torch Lake?
DeWitt Marine Inc sits about 3 miles from the lake.
Is Torch Lake stocked?
In 2026 the MDNR planted 12,750 atlantic salmon and 12,744 atlantic salmon.
Is Torch Lake a designated trout lake?
Type E (type e non designated): Three (3) trout and Atlantic salmon, combined and zero (0) Arctic Grayling. Season january 1st to december 31st.
Pick a weekend for Torch Lake
The license page holds every Michigan fee and season.