Long Lake (Grand Traverse County, Michigan) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long Lake |
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| Neal Lake | |
Long Lake from the Northwestern Shore. Gilbert Park in foreground. Brush, Picnic & Long Islands in background.
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| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 416: Malformed coordinates value. | |
| Location | Grand Traverse County, Michigan (Long Lake Township & Green Lake Township) |
| Coordinates | Lua error in Module:Coordinates at line 614: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). |
| Type | Lake |
| Primary inflows | Mickey Lake, Ruth Lake, Fern Lake, Page Lake |
| Primary outflows | Platte River |
| Max. length | 3.96 mi (6.37 km) |
| Max. width | 1.86 mi (2.9 km) |
| Surface area | 2,860 acres (12 km2) |
| Average depth | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Max. depth | 88 ft (27 m) |
| Shore length1 | 16.71 mi (26.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 846 feet (258 m) |
| Islands | Picnic Island (or Snake Island), Long Island, Fox Island, South Island, Brush Island |
| Settlements | Neal (Ghost Town), Crescent Shores, Long Lake Peninsula |
| 1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. | |
Long Lake (once called Neal Lake) is the biggest lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It's located about 15 minutes west of Traverse City. People in the area love it for fishing and fun activities like boating. The lake covers about 4.6 square miles.
A special protected area called the Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary is found at the lake's southwest end. Long Lake is the 36th largest lake in Michigan by its surface area. The lake also gives its name to Long Lake Township.
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Exploring Long Lake's Geography
Long Lake is mostly surrounded by thick forests. Many small neighborhoods are built within these forests. This makes the lake a popular place for people to live. The eastern and northern parts of the lake are quite shallow.
The lake has a very interesting shape with many bays and peninsulas. A bay is a part of the lake that curves inward. A peninsula is a piece of land that sticks out into the water. One example is Sucker Bay, where the Platte River begins its journey.
Another example is the Long Lake Peninsula. This is a small, private community located on the largest peninsula in the lake.
Towns Near Long Lake
Two small towns are located right on the lake's shores. Crescent Shores is on the western side, and Linwood (also known as Neal) is on the northern side.
Other nearby towns not directly on the lake include Traverse City to the east. You can find Grawn to the southeast and Interlochen to the south. To the west, in Benzie County, is the town of Lake Ann.
Fun Activities at Long Lake
Long Lake is well-known in the area as a fantastic spot for recreation. Many people come here to enjoy the water and nature.
Parks and Boating
There are three public parks right on the shores of Long Lake:
- Taylor Park
- Gilbert Park
- Crescent Shores Park & Boat Launch
Many people who live around the lake own boats. Boaters love to swim, water ski, and fish in the lake's clear waters.
Fish You Can Catch
Long Lake is home to many different kinds of fish. Anglers often find these popular species:
- Bluegill
- Largemouth Bass
- Muskellunge
- Northern Pike
- Rock Bass
- Smallmouth Bass
- Sunfish
- Walleye
- Yellow Perch
Interesting Places to Visit
Here are some special spots around Long Lake:
- Carter-Strong Bird Sanctuary: A safe place for birds.
- Head of the Platte River: Where the Platte River starts.
- Long Lake Peninsula: A unique community on a large piece of land.
- Page Lake and Mickey Lake: Smaller lakes connected to Long Lake.
- Neal and Crescent Shores: Small towns on the lake's edge.
Discovering Long Lake's Islands
Long Lake has several islands, each with its own unique features.
Here is a list of the islands in Long Lake:
- Picnic Island (also called Covell Island)
- Long Island
- Fox Island
- South Island
- Brush Island
Long Island: A Boater's Favorite
Long Island is a very popular place for boaters to visit. It is the largest island in the lake. The waters around Long Island are shallow, which makes it a great spot for swimmers and fishers.
Picnic Island: Hiking and Nature
Picnic Island is a smaller island, but it has a big hill. This island is a favorite for hikers and anyone wanting to spend a day exploring the lake. Sometimes, people call it "Snake Island" because many snakes live there.
Fox and South Islands: Boy Scout Camps
Fox and South Islands are among the most popular islands in the lake. Every summer, local Boy Scouts set up camp on these islands. These islands are also owned by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which helps protect natural areas.
Brush Island: The Smallest Island
Brush Island is the smallest island in Long Lake. It is not used very often, but a few boaters visit it for fishing.
