TRUE BLUE boating

Having Fun!

Tube behind your boat 
Rent a pontoon… 
Launch a jet ski… 
Enjoy the blue waters of Torch Lake!

Boating Safely!

Plan Ahead

Torch Lake is huge!
Look at a map & plan your route.
Out on the water is 15 °F colder than being on shore.

Prevent having an unhappy, cold crew:

• Bring jackets, towels and blankets.

Pay Attention!

There are many boats with inexperienced captains.

Prevent boat accidents:

• Watch out for other boats and watercraft.
• Stay far away from skiers and tubers.

Watch the Sky

Storms move in quickly on Torch Lake.

Prevent accidents:

• When you see dark clouds or lightning, go to a safe harbor:
  SOUTH: Torch River, Alden Harbor or Clam River
  NORTH: Torch Lake Village

Follow the Law

Torch Lake is patrolled by Antrim and Kalkaska County marine officers.

Be Prepared

Carry boat registration and boating certificates.

Prevent getting a ticket:

• Registration- Must display current sticker on boat.
• Boater Safety Card- Born after July 1, 1996.
  Must carry a card.
• Boater Safety Card- Ages 14-15.
  Must carry a card AND be with an adult.

Click here for the online boating safety course for certification:  www.boat-ed.com

Buckle Up…in a Life Jacket

A life jacket can save your life!.

Prevent drownings:

• Children Under 6- Must wear life jacket when boat is moving.
  Arm bands/puffy arms are not safe or legal life jackets.
• Each passenger must have a life jacket

Rules on the Water

Prevent boating accidents:

• Don’t sit or stand on the bow unless it is designed with seats.
• Drink responsibly. Stay below the blood alcohol limit .08.
  If ticketed with a DUI, it will go on your driving record.
• Go slow in NO WAKE ZONES.
  In rivers, marinas and within 100 ft of shore.
• Sailboats and non-motorized vessels have the right-of-way.
• Boats & Personal Water Craft (PWC) must stay 100 ft from
     persons in the water
     other boats
     docks and
     rafts
  unless going slow no-wake speed.
• NO U turns in Clam & Torch Rivers.
  Go down the river until it widens, then turn around.
  Clam River flows INTO Torch Lake.
  Torch River flows OUT OF Torch Lake.

For Skiing, Wake Boarding & Tubing-

• Every person being towed must wear a life jacket.
• Boats towing a person must have a designated observer in addition to the driver
• When towing, stay 100 ft from shore, anchored vessels, docks, rafts and swimmers.
• Do not tow before sunrise or after sunset.

Need to operate:

• Boater Safety Card if born after December 31, 1978.
• Must be at least 14 years old with Boating Safety Card and if younger than 16 years must also be in the presence of a parent or guardian.
• Every person riding a PWC must wear life jacket.

When on the water:

• Stay 100 ft from dock, raft, swimmers and shore unless going slow no wake speed.
• Do not cross within 150 feet behind another boat moving faster than no wake speed.
• Do not operate PWC before 8 AM or after sunset.

Protect Torch Lake

Non-native species can damage Torch Lake.

Prevent the Spread of Invasive Species:
Click on Invasive Species for more info.

• BEFORE launching, Clean, Drain & Dry your boat and trailer.
• Place unused bait in the trash, NOT the lake.
• Remove mud, plants & water that may harbor invasive species

Protect our Loons

Loons are threatened species and protected in Michigan.

Prevent loon deaths:

• Slow down and keep a distance of 50-100 feet
• If you hear them call, you are too close. Back away.

Best Boat Launches on Torch Lake

Public boat launches are maintained by local townships and the Department of Natural Resources.

• Fees may apply.
• Be courteous and patient.
• Respect adjacent private property.

North of Clam River

• MDNR Boat Launch- Eastport
• William Good Day Park- Torch Lake Township Park

South of Clam River

• MDNR Boat Launch- Torch River
• Alden Harbor

Swimming from Your Boat

• Anchor at public access sites.
  Look for orange signs on the shore.
• Anchor 100 ft from private docks & rafts.
• Anchor in deeper water away from obstacles to protect your propellor.
• Drift in deep water to avoid swimmer’s itch.
• No mooring overnight.

Show
You Care

Care for the Lake You Love

• Take your trash home with you, including pet waste.
• Use public restrooms.
  Torch Lake is not a toilet.
• Use marina pump- out facilities for toilet waste.
• Clean your boat while in trailer, not in the lake.
  Use phosphate-free, biodegradable cleaning products.