Of all the states in the US, Michigan, nicknamed the “Wolverine State” and “Winter Wonderland,” is arguably the best state when it comes to fishing, boating, and other aquatic adventures. The name “Michigan” is derived from the concept of “large water” or “large lake,” so there is no doubt that ever since its discovery, the state of Michigan has been known for its underwater advantages. In this guide, we will walk you through the absolute best boating lakes in Michigan.
Another fun water-based fact about this state is that, in some form or another, it houses four of the five Great Lakes in the United States. Whether you are looking to take a trip to Michigan solo, with friends, or with family, the following destinations we will be mentioning should definitely be on your radar.
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1. Lake Huron
Lake Huron is one of the five Laurentian Great Lakes in North America (the first of four in this list). The term “Huron” was attributed to what French explorers called the people who were local to the area.
This lake has a surface area of roughly 23,000 square miles, an averaged depth of approximately 190 feet, and a maximum depth of 750 feet.
As a tourist attraction and destination, the question that should be asked regarding Lake Huron is “what cannot be done here?”
Lake Huron offers the following facilities, amenities, and experiences:
There are hundreds of aquatic flora and fauna found in Lake Huron. The most notable fish species that are caught here are the following:
2. Lake Superior
Lake Superior is one of the five Laurentian Great Lakes in North America (the second on this list). An alternative name for this lake is Gichi-gami (Ojibwe origin) which roughly translates to the “Great Sea.”
The reported surface area for this lake is 31,700 square miles, with an average depth of approximately 483 feet and a maximum depth of roughly 1,300 feet.
There are several tourist spots and attractions in and around Lake Superior, including the following:
Just like the previous entry, Lake Superior is home to several aquatic species. In terms of fish species, the following are the most commonly caught:
3. Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is yet another Great Lake and is the third one so far on this list. It is the second-largest in terms of volume and is shared by Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
According to surveyors, Lake Michigan has a surface area of roughly 22,400 square miles, an average depth of approximately 280 feet, and a maximum depth of 923 feet.
There is a lot of ground to cover as a tourist when you are visiting Lake Michigan. The following are the most noteworthy spots to keep an eye on.
The fish species that frequent the waters of Lake Michigan are the following:
4. Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the final Great Lake on this list and is the fourth largest in terms of volume.
This lake has a surface area of roughly 9,900 square miles, an average depth of approximately 60 feet, and a maximum depth of 210 feet.
This destination is a major attraction not just in terms of tourist visits, but also in terms of economic opportunities such as fishing, travel, and agriculture.
As for tourism, here are a few of the several things you can look forward to when visiting Lake Erie:
Here is a list of catchable fish species in this area:
5. Torch Lake
If you would like to step away from gigantic bodies of water, allow us to introduce to you Torch Lake, Michigan’s longest inland lake (but definitely not as huge as any of the Great Lakes).
This lake has a reported surface area of roughly 18,700 acres, an average depth of approximately 110 feet, and a maximum depth of 285 feet.
This destination is a cozy and serene water-based location and offers the following experiences:
As for fish species, here are a few of the most significant ones that come up:
6. Higgins Lake
Another lowkey lake worth looking into that made the cut is Higgins Lake, a fishing and recreational destination located in Roscommon County, Michigan.
Known for its clear and deep waters, this lake has a surface area of 9,600 acres, an average depth of 44 feet, and a maximum depth of approximately 135 feet.
As a tourist destination, Higgins Lake has you covered. The following facilities and services are offered:
The prominent fish species that can be found in Higgins Lake’s waters are the following:
Conclusion
It is clear that when it comes to lakes, tourist attractions, and bodies of water, Michigan is a state that will never disappoint. Even if we were to take away the four great lakes from our list above, tourists and vacation planners would still have plenty of viable destinations to choose from.
We may even have to state that in terms of aquatic flora and fauna, the best boating lakes in Michigan have the best, richest, and most diverse ecosystems of any state in North and South America, but we shall set that discussion for some other time. If you are planning to visit Michigan soon by yourself, with friends, or with family, then keep this guide bookmarked so you would have something to review when the day comes.
