Torch Lake is at its best from the water. It's long, deep and famously clear, with turquoise shallows over sand, and a day on a boat is the highlight of a lot of summer trips. Here's how we'd plan one.
Getting a boat
If you're renting, book early for July and August. Our boat rentals guide lists companies around the lake. A few to know on the Bellaire end, near where Clam River enters Torch:
- Dockside Water Sports, 6326 Old Torch Lake Dr., Bellaire. Tritoons and jet skis. Drivers must be 21 with a license and credit card, and you get a demo drive before you leave. Their rentals can go on Torch Lake, Clam Lake, the Clam River, the Grass River and Lake Bellaire, but not the Torch River.
- Torch Lake Pontoon Rentals, M-88, Bellaire. Pontoons you can take to the launch of your choice.
- Vacation Water Sports, Helena Road, Alden. Right by the south end of the lake and the sandbar.
Every company has its own rules on fuel, deposits, pets and where you can go, so read the policies before you book.
Bringing your own boat
Public launches include Alden, at the west end of Helena Road, and Torch Lake Township Day Park, on the west side of the lake off US-31 (fee charged). Launch early on summer weekends, when ramps and parking fill up.
A day on the water
Here's a loop we like from the Clam River end of the lake. Times are rough and depend on your boat and the wind.
| Stop | Why |
|---|---|
| The Clam Shack at DeWitt Marine | Fuel up on the channel between Clam Lake and Torch Lake. Beer, wine, ice, snacks and Moomers ice cream |
| Out onto Torch Lake | Cruise the shoreline and look down into the clear water |
| The sandbar, south end | Anchor, swim and float in waist-deep water |
| Dockside | Lunch or dinner on the Clam River on the way back |
The Clam Shack
DeWitt Marine's Clam Shack, 6509 Crystal Springs Rd., Bellaire, has a gas dock you can pull right up to from the water, plus a shop with beer, wine, ice, snacks, sandbar supplies and Moomers ice cream in homemade waffle cones. Their posted hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily in season, and they may close early for weather or boat traffic.
The sandbar
The Torch Lake sandbar is at the south end of the lake, near Alden. It's a no-wake area: idle in, anchor near the drop-off, don't dive and don't tie up to private shoreline. Weekday mornings are calm and uncrowded, and summer weekends are a party.
Dockside
Dockside Restaurant sits on the Clam River at 6340 Old Torch Lake Dr., Bellaire, and is a classic stop by boat or by car. If you rent from Dockside Water Sports, their policy is to dock with them, not on the restaurant's pier or slips. Coming into the Clam River from Torch, one local rental company advises entering at a right angle to avoid submerged boulders.
Rules and safety
- Anyone born on or after July 1, 1996 needs a boater safety certificate to drive a motorboat over 6 horsepower. Jet ski rules are stricter. See our boat rentals guide.
- Carry a life jacket for everyone on board. Children under 6 must wear one on the open deck while the boat is moving.
- Go slow in no-wake zones: rivers, marinas, near shore and at the sandbar.
- No overnight mooring on Torch Lake.
- Watch the wind. Torch Lake is big and gets choppy quickly in the afternoon.
- In an emergency, call 911.
What to bring
- An anchor with plenty of line, and a second anchor
- Water, snacks, sunscreen and hats. There's no shade on the water
- Water shoes, floats and a waterproof phone case
- A trash bag to pack everything out
Frequently asked questions
Where can I rent a boat on Torch Lake near Bellaire?
Dockside Water Sports and Torch Lake Pontoon Rentals are on the Bellaire end, and Vacation Water Sports is in Alden near the sandbar. Book early for summer weekends.
Where can I get gas on Torch Lake by boat?
The Clam Shack at DeWitt Marine has a gas dock on the channel between Clam Lake and Torch Lake, with snacks and ice cream inside.
Can you boat from Torch Lake to Lake Bellaire?
Yes, through Clam Lake and the Grass River, which are part of the Chain of Lakes. Some rental companies limit where you can go, so check before you book.
Sources
Dockside Water Sports rental policies, DeWitt Marine: The Clam Shack, Pure Michigan: Dockside Restaurant, Rockqua Pontoon Rental: entering Clam River and Conserve Torch. Boater rules from our boat rentals guide, which cites the Michigan DNR. Checked November 1, 2026.