Cast the Water

Crystal Lake

Michigan · Benzie

The pin marks the middle of the water, for directions. The shoreline on the map comes from USGS NHD.

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Overview

Crystal Lake, in western Benzie County just north of Frankfort, is the ninth largest inland lake in Michigan at 9,854 acres per Michigan DNR. It is deep and clear (oligotrophic), with a maximum depth of about 165 feet and an average of 70 feet, and drains through an outlet to the Betsie River. It is stocked every year with lake trout and rainbow trout and reports excellent fisheries for both, plus a self-sustaining coho salmon population. Smallmouth bass, yellow perch, rock bass, northern pike, burbot, lake whitefish and rainbow smelt are also present. In summer most anglers troll with Great Lakes gear such as downriggers, divers and leadcore, and vertical jigging works for lake trout. Ice fishing is popular, with lake trout taken by jigging or tip-ups and rainbows near creek mouths. Heavy winds can make the lake dangerous. The DNR access site has a paved launch, parking for 25 vehicles with trailers and pit toilets, but very limited shore fishing.

Regulations

Crystal Lake is a Type E trout lake. See Inland Trout and Salmon Lake Regulations in the current Michigan Fishing Regulations: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations

Michigan Department of Natural Resources