Clam Lake
Watershed: Elk River Watershed
Primary Inflows: Grass River
Primary Outflows: Clam River
Surface Area: 437 acres
Shoreline: 9.6 miles
Maximum Depth: 27 feet
Public Access Sites: 5
Description:
Clam Lake is a long, slender lake situated in a valley between Torch Lake and Lake Bellaire in the Elk River Chain of Lakes in Antrim County. The lake and valley were formed by the gouging and grinding of glaciers, which is evident in the coarse-textured glacial till of the surrounding hills. Soils along the Clam Lake shoreline largely consist of sands and gravels that were deposited when water levels were higher.
Clam Lake is a popular destination for recreational activities like boating and fishing. Its primary inflow is the Grass River, which drains the Upper Chain of Lakes and includes the expansive Grass River Natural Area. Water flows out at the west end of the lake through the ¼-mile long Clam River and into Torch Lake. The riparian area of the Clam River is impacted from marina and other commercial development.
Concerns about excessive sediments in the Grass River led to an intensive study of the river and its tributaries in 2011 and 2012 by watershed stakeholders, water resource management organizations and academic researchers. The study led to the placement of large woody debris structures in the river in 2013 to maintain navigation depths by harnessing the river’s natural energy and provide the additional benefit of habitat improvement.
Fish found during DNR surveys of Clam Lake and the Clam River include mudminnow; long nose gar; northern pike; yellow perch; brown, black, and yellow bullhead; large- and smallmouth bass; bluegill; rock bass; white sucker; pumpkinseed; longear sunfish; muskellunge; blacknose, spottail, blackchin, emerald, and sand shiners; bluntnose minnow; banded killifish; logperch; johnny and Iowa darter; walleye; and black crappie.
Primary Inflows: Grass River
Primary Outflows: Clam River
Surface Area: 437 acres
Shoreline: 9.6 miles
Maximum Depth: 27 feet
Public Access Sites: 5
Description:
Clam Lake is a long, slender lake situated in a valley between Torch Lake and Lake Bellaire in the Elk River Chain of Lakes in Antrim County. The lake and valley were formed by the gouging and grinding of glaciers, which is evident in the coarse-textured glacial till of the surrounding hills. Soils along the Clam Lake shoreline largely consist of sands and gravels that were deposited when water levels were higher.
Clam Lake is a popular destination for recreational activities like boating and fishing. Its primary inflow is the Grass River, which drains the Upper Chain of Lakes and includes the expansive Grass River Natural Area. Water flows out at the west end of the lake through the ¼-mile long Clam River and into Torch Lake. The riparian area of the Clam River is impacted from marina and other commercial development.
Concerns about excessive sediments in the Grass River led to an intensive study of the river and its tributaries in 2011 and 2012 by watershed stakeholders, water resource management organizations and academic researchers. The study led to the placement of large woody debris structures in the river in 2013 to maintain navigation depths by harnessing the river’s natural energy and provide the additional benefit of habitat improvement.
Fish found during DNR surveys of Clam Lake and the Clam River include mudminnow; long nose gar; northern pike; yellow perch; brown, black, and yellow bullhead; large- and smallmouth bass; bluegill; rock bass; white sucker; pumpkinseed; longear sunfish; muskellunge; blacknose, spottail, blackchin, emerald, and sand shiners; bluntnose minnow; banded killifish; logperch; johnny and Iowa darter; walleye; and black crappie.
Monitoring and Research:
Clam Lake is monitored every three years through the Watershed Council’s Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring (CWQM) Program for dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chloride levels.
This lake is monitored through the State’s Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP).
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Clam Lake is monitored every three years through the Watershed Council’s Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring (CWQM) Program for dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chloride levels.
This lake is monitored through the State’s Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP).
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Publications:
Aquatic Vegetation Surveys 2013 on Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake (2013)
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Clam Lake Shoreline Survey Greenbelt Report (2009)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Shoreline Algal Survey on Torch Lake, Clam Lake, and Lake Bellaire (2004)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001) - Hard copy only. $ - Call 231-347-1181 for details.
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
View an interactive map of Clam Lake, including public access sites, at Michigan Fishweb.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
Aquatic Vegetation Surveys 2013 on Lake Bellaire and Clam Lake (2013)
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Clam Lake Shoreline Survey Greenbelt Report (2009)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Shoreline Algal Survey on Torch Lake, Clam Lake, and Lake Bellaire (2004)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001) - Hard copy only. $ - Call 231-347-1181 for details.
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
View an interactive map of Clam Lake, including public access sites, at Michigan Fishweb.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
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Three Lakes Association
The mission of the Three Lakes Association is to provide leadership to preserve, protect, and improve the environmental quality of the Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed for all generations with emphasis on Lake Bellaire, Clam Lake, Torch Lake and their tributaries. |
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Friends of Clam Lake
The mission of the Friends of Clam Lake is to be a responsible advocate of reality, truth and vigilance, with a focus on the continued quality of Clam Lake and the safe public and private use of this wonderful treasure in the Chain-of-Lakes. |
