Bellaire village — Short's Brewing, restaurants, shops. Shanty Creek Resort nearby.
Bait & Tackle
Butch's Tackle in Alden. Dewitt Marine on Clam River for service.
Fish Species
Lake Trout Whitefish Splake Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout Cisco Smelt Walleye Northern Pike Smallmouth Bass Largemouth Bass Rock Bass Bluegill Black Crappie Yellow Perch Pumpkinseed Brown Bullhead Longnose Gar
Connected Waterways
Part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. Formerly known as Grass Lake. Intermediate River flows in from the north through the village of Bellaire. Grass River flows out the south end toward Clam Lake and eventually Torch Lake. Grass Creek feeds the North Arm. Water trail loop connects to Ohio St Launch in Bellaire village.
Winter & Ice Safety
Lake Bellaire freezes reliably. Popular ice fishing destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take a boat from Lake Bellaire to Torch Lake?
Yes — Lake Bellaire is part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes, Michigan's longest chain of interconnected lakes. From Lake Bellaire, you navigate through the Grass River into Clam Lake, then into Torch Lake. Larger boats can run between the lower chain lakes (Bellaire, Clam, Torch, Elk) without issue. Smaller boats and kayaks can navigate the entire chain from Six Mile Lake to Elk Rapids, though some upper chain segments require portages. The dam north of Lake Bellaire is the main restriction for upstream navigation.
What kind of fish are in Lake Bellaire?
Lake Bellaire supports both coldwater and warmwater species thanks to its 95-foot depth keeping bottom water cold and oxygen-rich year-round. Fish species include whitefish, lake trout, splake, brown trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, cisco, smelt, walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bluegill, black crappie, yellow perch, pumpkinseed, brown bullhead, and longnose gar. The lake is particularly valued for its coldwater fishery — lake trout and whitefish thrive here naturally.
How deep is Lake Bellaire?
Lake Bellaire reaches a maximum depth of 95 feet. The lake covers 1,789 acres with 12 miles of shoreline. Its depth allows it to maintain cold, oxygen-rich bottom water through summer, supporting a productive coldwater fishery that includes lake trout, whitefish, and cisco — species typically found in much larger lakes.
How big is Lake Bellaire?
Lake Bellaire is 1,789 acres (about 2.8 square miles) with 12 miles of shoreline and a maximum depth of 95 feet. It's the largest lake in the lower portion of the Elk River Chain of Lakes before Torch Lake. The lake has a distinctive north arm that extends into ecologically important wetlands.
Is there a public beach on Lake Bellaire?
Yes. Lake Bellaire has three main public access points for swimming. Noteware's Landing on the west shore (Fisherman's Paradise Road) has a sandy beach with picnic tables and is dog-friendly. Miley's Beach on Cottage Drive has a sandy beach with a marked swim area. Craven Park near the village has a swimming area with a campground, playground, and picnic facilities. The Fisherman's Paradise DNR Access on the east shore also has wadeable sandy bottom, though it's primarily a boat launch.
Can you kayak on Lake Bellaire?
Lake Bellaire is part of the Paddle Antrim Water Trail — a 100-mile paddling network covering 12 lakes and their connecting rivers. The Lake Bellaire Loop is a 10.6-mile circumnavigation rated intermediate level, taking about 4.5 hours. You can also paddle from Bellaire through the Grass River Natural Area into Clam Lake (7.4 miles, 3 hours). Kayak and SUP rentals are available at Paddles & Pedals in downtown Bellaire.
What is the Grass River Natural Area?
The Grass River Natural Area is a 1,492-acre nature preserve on the south end of Lake Bellaire where water flows through the Grass River into Clam Lake. It features boardwalk trails through wetlands, river access for paddling, and outstanding wildlife viewing. The preserve is open year-round for hiking and snowshoeing. It's one of the most ecologically significant wetland areas in northern Michigan and a highlight of the Lake Bellaire paddling experience.
What is there to do in Bellaire Michigan?
Bellaire is a small but active village on Lake Bellaire's north shore. Downtown is walkable with restaurants, shops, and Short's Brewing Company (one of Michigan's most popular craft breweries). Outdoor activities include boating the Chain of Lakes, paddling the 100-mile Paddle Antrim Water Trail, biking 31+ miles of Glacial Hills Trails, hiking the Grass River Natural Area, and golfing at multiple championship courses including Shanty Creek Resorts. Winter brings skiing and snowboarding at Shanty Creek.
Where is Lake Bellaire?
Lake Bellaire is in Antrim County in northern Lower Michigan, immediately southwest of the village of Bellaire. It's about 30 miles northeast of Traverse City and 20 miles south of Charlevoix. The lake sits in the middle of the Elk River Chain of Lakes, connected upstream to Intermediate Lake and downstream through the Grass River to Clam Lake, Torch Lake, Elk Lake, and ultimately Lake Michigan.
Formerly known as what lake?
Lake Bellaire was formerly known as Grass Lake, named for the extensive grass-like wetlands surrounding it — particularly the Grass River Natural Area on the south end. The Grass River, which carries water from Lake Bellaire into Clam Lake, retains the original name.
Scout's Notes
Lake Vibe & Fishing Intel
Lake Bellaire — formerly Grass Lake — is the deep central hub of the Elk River Chain. At 1,790 acres and 95 feet deep, it supports both cold water species (lake trout, splake, brown trout) in the depths and warm water fish (bass, pike, walleye) in the shallows. The deep water stays cold and oxygen-rich through summer, which is unusual and valuable for the fishery.
The lake is calmer and less choppy than Torch — a good fallback when winds are high on the big lake. Crystal clear water, sandy bottom in most areas, with pleasant swimming temperatures. The village of Bellaire sits on the west shore with Short's Brewing as the local landmark. Extensive wetlands surround the lake, particularly on the north and south ends — ecologically important and home to loons (a loon preserve exists at the north end, stay away from nests). Walleye fishing requires patience here — it's a dawn and dusk bite, mostly trolling at 10-15 feet, with the dropoffs near the Intermediate River inflow and the island structure off Fisherman's Paradise as the key spots.
Sources: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, Three Lakes Association, michigan-sportsman.com forums, Paddle Antrim, Google Reviews