Betsie Lake is the terminal widening of the Betsie River, a 54-mile stream that rises in western Grand Traverse County and flows through Benzie and briefly Manistee counties. The bay connects directly to Lake Michigan through the Frankfort channel, making it both a river-mouth lake and a Great Lakes harbor.
Betsie Lake's connection to Lake Michigan and the flow of the Betsie River mean ice conditions can be unpredictable, especially near the channel. The sheltered upper portions of the bay may freeze in a hard winter, but the channel area rarely locks up solid. Use extreme caution and check local reports before venturing out.
What is Betsie Lake?
Is there a public boat launch on Betsie Lake?
Can you get to Lake Michigan from Betsie Lake?
Are there marinas on Betsie Lake?
Are there beaches near Betsie Lake?
Is there camping near Betsie Lake?
Where is Betsie Lake located?
Betsie Lake — also commonly called Betsie Bay — is the final widening of the Betsie River before it empties into Lake Michigan at Frankfort in Benzie County. It's essentially a drowned river mouth lake, a sheltered bay connected to big water via a narrow channel. That connection to Lake Michigan is what makes Betsie Lake punch well above its modest size: salmon, steelhead, and other Great Lakes species stage in the bay during their runs up the Betsie River, making it a seasonal hotspot for anglers who know the timing.
The setting is hard to beat — Frankfort sits on the north side, Elberta on the south, and Lake Michigan is right there. The single public launch gives you access to both the protected bay and, through the channel, open Lake Michigan. Several marinas line the shoreline, and the area is loaded with beaches including Point Betsie Lighthouse Beach and Frankfort Public Beach. The Betsie River upstream is a well-regarded fly fishing stream for steelhead and salmon, and the bay is where river fishing meets big-lake opportunity.