Silver Lake (Michigan) Fishing, Size, Depth, And More

Silver Lake, Michigan, not to be confused with the Silver Lake Sand Dunes State Park, is a beautiful natural lake with lots to do. Lake Michigan isn’t the only lake to enjoy in Michigan! Interestingly, Lake Michigan and Silver Lake are separated by the Sand Dunes. In this article, we are going to learn all about Silver Lake, including its size, history, and associated activities.

Silver Lake Location

Silver Lake is located in Golden Township in Oceana County, Michigan. The lake borders the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, which also separates Silver Lake and Lake Michigan. Golden Township is a small township with a population of a little over 1,700. It was established in 1864. Silver Lake is a popular recreational lake in the town.

Size

Silver Lake has a surface area of 690 acres and at least 4.2 miles of shoreline. The average depth of the lake is 16.2 feet, while the maximum depth is 23 feet. It’s a shallow and calm lake, bordering a state park on Lake Michigan.

Fishing

There are many fish in Silver Lake. It’s a favorite fishing local spot, especially for spotting fish like walleye. Apart from walleye, you can also find northern pike, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, and bluegill. While you can catch black crappie, they aren’t as abundant as bluegill. Currently, we don’t know a lot about Silver Lake’s natural fish population or vegetation. However, some experts speculate that white bass are native to Silver Lake. Although you may catch a largemouth while fishing in Silver Lake, it’s more likely you’ll find common carp and white suckers.

Boating

Although most people travel to Lake Michigan for boating opportunities, there are a few boating ramps in Silver Lake, Michigan. Waterskiing and swimming are other popular activities. You can use the Silver Lake State Park Boat Launch or the Wave Club Water Sports boat rental service. Jet skis are available for rent at the Wave Club Water Sports.

Camping

Swimming, boating, and fishing aren’t the only activities available at Silver Lake. You can also camp in many different sites surrounding the lake, some are within the state park on Lake Michigan. One of the most popular camping sites on the lake is the Silver Lake State Park Campground. If you want to skip the camping, you can also rent a private home or cottage along the water. Other camping sites on the lake include the Dune Town Camp-Resort, Sandy Shores Campground, and Silver Lake Resort and Campground. The Hideaway Campground is also available, but closer to the dunes and farther from the lake.

Hiking

There are a lot of hiking trails near the river, most of which are in surrounding parks, including Silver Lake State Park. Although many people visit to see the large dunes, there are a few hiking trails that go into the forest. In the area is also Pentwater Pathways Trailhead. Five loop trails range in difficulty. The easiest loop trail is the Green Loop. A little farther away, but in the same county is the Gales Pond County Park. In the park is a short and quiet nature trail that takes between 15 to 20 minutes to walk.

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