About Elk Lake (Antrim/Grand Traverse)

Elk is the second largest in what is most commonly known as the Antrim County Chain of Lakes.  With over 75 miles of shoreline, it provides some of the finest boating opportunities in freshwater on the planet.  A number of restaurants, shopping destinations, and marinas are available by boat in quaint towns along the waterways like Elk Rapids, Alden, and Bellaire.  Elk Lake, Lake Skegemog, Torch River, Torch Lake, Clam River, Clam Lake, Grass River, Lake Bellaire, Intermediate River, and Intermediate Lake are all connected and accessible by craft up to 30' or larger.

Perhaps most impressive about these lakes and Elk and Torch in particular, is the water quality.  With visibility to 15' of depth or more and a mostly sand bottom, these lakes provide for spectacular swimming and recreation.  At over 7,000 acres, Elk Lake is a truly impressive body of water in its own right.  The deepest point of the lake is nearly 200' deep ensuring nice cool water throghout the warm summer months.  Fishing on Elk Lake is spectacular as well.  Various species of trout, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, musky, perch, bluegill, whitefish, and more are all available in Elk Lake.

A marina in the village of Elk Rapids provides service from Elk Lake as do two marinas on Torch River.  If you're a big water enthusiast, there is also a fantastic municipal marina in Elk Rapids providing slips for boating on the Great Lakes via East Grand Traverse Bay.  Enjoy skiing and inland lake boating from your dock on Elk Lake and make a quick run into town to sail to Chicago, Mackinac, or more distant ports.

A short drive will take you to the larger community of Traverse City with a tremendous variety of fantastic restaurants, great shopping, and one of the most respected hospitals in the nation, Munson Medical Center.  An easy drive north takes you to the waterfront communities of Charlevoix and Petoskey which each offer their own collections of great shops and eateries.