Torch Bay is a lake in Houghton County, Michigan. Its water-quality measurements are published by EGLE and shown on this page as reported.

Torch Bay

Houghton County, Michigan2,693 acresView map Directions

No nutrient or algae sampling on record from EGLE for this lake.

Area

2,693 acres

Surface area

Impaired · Mercury

See the measurements Directions Where to stay

Torch Bay in Houghton County, Michigan has water-quality measurements published by EGLE, shown here as reported. Surface area: 2693 acres.

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Torch Bay is a 2,693-acre lake in Houghton County, Michigan.

Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE. Methodology: how these readings are compared.

What Torch Bay is good for

From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.

Big water2,693 acres

Swimming conditions

No reading

Not rated

Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Torch Bay is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pFAS, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.

Whether Torch Bay is safe to swim in today is a call for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the county health department, who post current advisories. LakeQuality does not issue swimming clearances.

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Water quality measurements for Torch Bay

These are the measurements EGLE publishes for Torch Bay, shown as reported. The condition class beside each reading is the EPA National Lakes Assessment class for this lake’s ecoregion.

No clarity data. TSI undefined.

Ask about Torch Bay

Answers come straight from the public measurements and survey records on this page.

Lake Details

Surface area

2,693 acres

No bathymetric survey has been published for Torch Bay, so its depth is not documented here.

Stays via Stay22

Stays near Torch Bay

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Torch Bay in Houghton County, Michigan — live availability and prices for your trip. Switch the map to Satellite to see the lake and how close each stay is to the water.

Top-rated places to stay near Torch Bay

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Follow Torch Bay’s readings

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Fishing Torch Bay

→ Torch Bay fishing regulations (limits, seasons, special rules)

EPA Impairment Status

Torch Bay is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).

Causes of impairment

MercuryPFASPCBs

Designated uses not supporting: Fish consumption.

A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.

Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040201030307-08 · Official waterbody report

Nearby Lakes in Houghton County

Torch Lake3.7 miView →Torch Lake3 miView →Portage Lake4.1 miView →Mud Lake4.6 miView →Boston Lake6.9 miView →Portage Entry—View →

Frequently asked questions about Torch Bay

Where is Torch Bay?: Torch Bay is a lake in Houghton County, Michigan. Its water-quality measurements are published by EGLE and shown on this page as reported.
What is the water quality of Torch Bay?: Torch Bay in Houghton County, Michigan has water-quality measurements published by EGLE, shown here as reported. Surface area: 2693 acres.
Is Torch Bay safe to swim in?: Nutrient and algae readings are not a swimming clearance. Torch Bay is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for mercury, pFAS, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.