St. Clair Lake
Watershed: Elk River Watershed
Primary Inflows: Sinclair River
Primary Outflows: Intermediate River
Surface Area: 60 acres
Shoreline: 2.4 miles
Maximum Depth: 32 feet
Public Access Sites: 1
Description:
St. Clair Lake is a small, pretty lake that is utilized by boaters, swimmers, paddlers, and fishermen. It is situated between Six Mile Lake and Ellsworth Lake in the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Department of Natural Resources records indicate that it was once known as Campbell Lake. Like most other lakes of the Upper Chain, it is relatively long and narrow.
Most of St. Clair Lake is located in Antrim County, although the eastern end lies in Charlevoix County. The town of Ellsworth is located along the western end of the lake.
The only named inlet to the lake, the Sinclair River, flows from Six Mile Lake through the St. Clair Lake / Six Mile Lake Natural Area, which has over a mile of undeveloped protected shoreline. A very short (~1/4 mile) segment of the Intermediate River flows from St. Clair Lake into Ellsworth Lake.
Fish found during Department of Natural Resources surveys include rock bass, black crappie, northern pike, small- and largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and mimic shiner.
Primary Inflows: Sinclair River
Primary Outflows: Intermediate River
Surface Area: 60 acres
Shoreline: 2.4 miles
Maximum Depth: 32 feet
Public Access Sites: 1
Description:
St. Clair Lake is a small, pretty lake that is utilized by boaters, swimmers, paddlers, and fishermen. It is situated between Six Mile Lake and Ellsworth Lake in the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Department of Natural Resources records indicate that it was once known as Campbell Lake. Like most other lakes of the Upper Chain, it is relatively long and narrow.
Most of St. Clair Lake is located in Antrim County, although the eastern end lies in Charlevoix County. The town of Ellsworth is located along the western end of the lake.
The only named inlet to the lake, the Sinclair River, flows from Six Mile Lake through the St. Clair Lake / Six Mile Lake Natural Area, which has over a mile of undeveloped protected shoreline. A very short (~1/4 mile) segment of the Intermediate River flows from St. Clair Lake into Ellsworth Lake.
Fish found during Department of Natural Resources surveys include rock bass, black crappie, northern pike, small- and largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and mimic shiner.
Known Aquatic Invasive Species:
Zebra mussels
Purple Loosestrife
Monitoring and Research:
St. Clair 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.
It is NOT currently monitored through the Watershed Council’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring (VLM) Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Watershed Council at 231-347-1181.
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Zebra mussels
Purple Loosestrife
Monitoring and Research:
St. Clair 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.
It is NOT currently monitored through the Watershed Council’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring (VLM) Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Watershed Council at 231-347-1181.
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Publications:
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001)
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001)
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
