Elk Lake

Elk Lake is positioned between Lake Skegemog and East Grand Traverse Bay adjacent to the Village of Elk Rapids in Antrim County. It is the last in a long chain of 14 lakes called the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Elk Lake discharges into East Bay via the Elk River, contributing approximately 60% of the water that flows into Grant Traverse Bay (the annual average flow is about 763 CFS). 

A dam was first constructed on the Elk River in the 1860’s. The present dam impounded most of the original river channel and raised the water level in Elk and Skegemog Lakes about five feet above pre-dam conditions. Upstream of the dam, the rocky bottom of the flooded river channel is visible when the water is clear. Unfortunately, the dam blocks fish migration between the Chain of Lakes and Lake Michigan. However, the dam does provide benefits in that it is a barrier that prevents invasive species from moving upstream into the Chain, such as sea lamprey. To this day, the dam is still used to produce hydroelectric power.

Elk Lake is Michigan’s second deepest inland lake (~195’) and 14th largest lake in terms of surface area (~8,200 acres). It is an oligotrophic lake, which means that it has low biological productivity, is nutrient poor, but with abundant dissolved oxygen throughout its depths. Because of Elk Lake’s oligotrophic status and absence of soft sediments conducive to aquatic plant growth, aquatic plants are not common. High levels of calcium carbonate in its waters impart a characteristic emerald green color in summer.

Public access sites include an MDNR boat launch, county and township parks, many road endings and pedestrian access easements, and numerous parcels owned by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Extensive and important wetlands are found on the northeast shore near Kewadin, and on the south end adjacent to Battle Creek. Elk Lake’s named tributaries include Battle Creek and Williamsburg Creek.

The fisheries of Elk Lake were recently thrust into the spotlight when it was found that a unique lake trout strain inhabited the lake. MDNR fisheries biologists continue to study the Elk Lake lake trout to better understand its life history, particularly its success at deep-water spawning, and how this strain’s characteristics might benefit lake trout populations in the Great Lakes.