Torch Lake
Antrim County, Michigan18,714 acresView mapDirections
Not Rated: one monitoring station are on record, but they measured water clarity only. LakeQuality’s A–F method grades total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity; clarity is shown, not scored.
- Impaired · Dioxins
- 250 ft max depth
- Public access
- Limited data
Torch Lake in Antrim County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 30 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 250 ft. Surface area: 18713.5 acres.
- Clarity
- 30 ft
- Max depth
- 250 ft
- Area
- 18,714 acres
- Trend
- → Stable
- Public access
- Yes
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Watch Torch Lake’s letter
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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.
Why Torch Lake has no grade
Torch Lake has monitoring on record from one station, but only water clarity was measured. LakeQuality’s A–F letter uses total phosphorus, total nitrogen, chlorophyll-a, and turbidity against EPA National Lakes Assessment condition classes. With none of those grading measurements on record, Torch Lake is Not Rated — not an F. Its 30-foot median from 96 readings collected 2016–2022 is still shown as clarity, but clarity alone cannot earn a letter.
Not Rated is EPA Integrated Reporting Category 3 — insufficient information. Everything below that has been measured is still reported on this page.
Sampling is run by EGLE and volunteer programs, and published through the EPA Water Quality Portal. Read the full grading methodology.
Torch Lake is a 18,714-acre lake in Antrim County, Michigan with a maximum depth of 250 feet. The lake supports 3 documented fish species including Atlantic salmon, Deepwater sculpin, and Lake herring. Public access is available with 1 public boat landing.
Source: EPA Water Quality Portal sampling records, EGLE, last sampled 2022-09-13. Grade methodology: LakeQuality methodology.
What Torch Lake is good for
From access and monitoring records, not editorial picks.
- Clear water30 ft of visibility
- Boat launch1 documented ramp
- Fishing3 species recorded
- Deep water250 ft surveyed max depth
- Big water18,714 acres
Swimming Safety
Not ratedLimited data
The letter is not a swimming clearance. Torch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for dioxins, mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
Water quality measurements for Torch Lake
These readings exist but are not enough for an A–F grade — see why.
Crystal clear, you can see 30 ft down. TSI 28.
| Metric | Value | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 30 ft | Not graded |
| Phosphorus | No recent samples | |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | No recent samples | |
| Trophic State Index (TSI) | 28 | Oligotrophic |
Low nutrients, clear water. The letter is not a swimming clearance.
Lake Details
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Depth | 250 ft |
| Surface Area | 18,714 acres |
| Public Access | Yes |
Recreation & Access
- Maplehurst Natural AreaPublic
Named access points in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory, within about 3 miles. More lakes with boat ramps
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.
Water Quality Trend: → Stable
Based on 5 years of monitoring data (2020-2025).
| Metric | Trend | Change/Year | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Clarity | → Stable | -0.108 m/yr | 5 |
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
Graded lakes near Torch Lake
Torch Lake has no grade, but these lakes within a short drive do.
Nearby Lakes in Antrim County
Frequently asked questions about Torch Lake
Where is Torch Lake?
- Torch Lake is a lake in Antrim County, Michigan. LakeQuality has not rated this lake (UNRATED) — the only measurement available is water clarity, which is not a water-quality indicator on its own — EPA's National Lakes Assessment does not grade clarity.
What is the water quality grade for Torch Lake?
- Torch Lake in Antrim County, Michigan is not rated for water quality — its monitoring record does not meet the evidence bar. Water clarity: 30 ft visibility. Maximum depth: 250 ft. Surface area: 18713.5 acres.
Is Torch Lake safe to swim in?
- The letter is not a swimming clearance. Torch Lake is listed impaired under Clean Water Act §303(d) (IR 5) for dioxins, mercury, pesticides, pCBs. Check local advisories before you swim.
How deep is Torch Lake?
- Torch Lake has a maximum depth of 250 feet. The lake covers 18713.5 acres.
What fish are in Torch Lake?
- Fish species found in Torch Lake include Atlantic salmon, Deepwater sculpin, Lake herring. Torch Lake is located in Antrim County, Michigan.
Are there boat ramps on Torch Lake?
- Torch Lake has 1 documented boat landing in the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory. Named access points include Maplehurst Natural Area. Public access is listed as yes.
Explore Torch Lake across LakeQuality
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Where this data comes from
96 measurements from 1 monitoring station, 2016–2022. Retrieved from the EPA Water Quality Portal on 2026-08-26.
Collected and reported by
- North American Lake Management Society
NALMS96 samples · 2016–2022
Monitoring station identifiers (1)
Grade thresholds from the EPA National Lakes Assessment (EPA 841-R-24-006, Table 6-3), applied by ecoregion. See how grades are calculated and data sources.
Other records on this page
Impairment status from EPA ATTAINS 303(d) database
Named boat-access points from the USGS National Boat Ramps inventory