Part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Grass River flows in from the east, draining Lake Bellaire and the Upper Chain. Clam River flows out the west end through a quarter-mile channel into Torch Lake. The Grass River Natural Area is a major conservation feature along the inflow.
Clam Lake is a long, slender lake in a glacial valley between Torch Lake and Lake Bellaire. At 437 acres and only 27 feet deep, it's a modest lake — but its position in the Elk River Chain makes it a critical link. The Clam River at the west end connects directly to Torch Lake, just a quarter mile out. When winds are high on Torch, Clam Lake is the fallback — its sheltered valley position keeps it calmer.
The lake has a seaweed-filled, dark bottom — a contrast to Torch Lake's famous clarity. Loons and swans are present and worth watching for (and watching out for — boaters are urged to give wildlife space). The Grass River flows in from the east through the Grass River Natural Area, one of the region's significant conservation areas. Dewitt Marine on the Clam River provides service for the chain. The village of Bellaire is the nearest town for supplies, with Short's Brewing as the local landmark.