Torch Lake is a cold, clear oligotrophic lake in Antrim County, Michigan. Water quality is graded A based on 1 sampling years through 2022. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Atlantic salmon, Deepwater sculpin, and Lake herring. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing. Compared to the 5 other monitored lakes in Antrim County, Torch Lake ranks #1 for water quality.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, Michigan DNR, last sampled 2022-09-13. Grade methodology: LakeGrade methodology.
Watch Torch Lake water quality
Subscribe for LakeQuality updates by email. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Swimming Safety
Excellent for swimming, crystal clear water with minimal algae
Water Quality Grade: A, Excellent
Crystal clear, you can see 27.5 ft down. Trophic State Index: 29.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 27.5 ft | A |
| Phosphorus | No data | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No data | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 29 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Where to stay near Torch Lake
Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Torch Lake in Antrim 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 Lake
Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Planning a trip to Torch Lake?
Get lake water-quality report cards plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Torch Lake — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Planning a whole trip? See where to stay at Michigan’s top lakes →
Fish Species
Click a species to see every graded lake where it is documented.
Fishing Torch Lake
Invasive & Introduced Species
Red chips are ecologically harmful invasive species. Gray chips are stocked or introduced fish that aren't a current ecological concern.
Source: USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) Database. Hover a chip to see scientific name, ecological context, status, and first-observed year.
Recreation & Access
Location & Depth Map
Free interactive depth-contour map of Torch Lake, reaching a maximum surveyed depth of 250 ft. Toggle Depth contours to overlay the bathymetric survey lines. Contour data from Michigan DNR.
County Ranking
Ranked #1 of 6 lakes in Antrim County
Nearby Lakes in Antrim County
Explore Torch Lake across LakeGrade
Fish species and top-graded lakes across Michigan
Fish species and best lakes in Antrim County
Species activity outlook by water temperature and season
Top lakes and where to stay in the Grand Traverse Region area
Where to stay at Michigan's top lakes, each with its grade
Low nutrients, clear water, excellent for swimming
Michigan's cleanest and most-polluted lakes, ranked
More Michigan Lake Rankings
Other Grade A Lakes in Michigan
Charlevoix County · Clarity: 17.8 ft
Charlevoix County · Excellent
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 15 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 13 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 12 ft
Grand Traverse County · Clarity: 15.8 ft
Oligotrophic Lakes in Michigan
More records, surveys & data sources
EPA Impairment Status
Torch Lake is officially listed as impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) in the 2024 EPA reporting cycle (IR category 5).
Causes of impairment
A Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) plan has been approved.
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment unit MI040601050305-01 · Official waterbody report
Lake Size & Watershed
Size, shoreline, and watershed area from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS). Mean depth is a modeled estimate.
Data Sources
Water quality data from the EPA Water Quality Portal
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Lake size & watershed from HydroLAKES (HydroSHEDS)
Grading methodology based on Metropolitan Council standards
Public boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory
Most recent sample: 2022-09-13
Monitoring stations: 1