Silver Lake is a lake in Grand Traverse County, Michigan. It is roughly 3.5 miles (5.6 km) from the northern to southern ends. The lake is known for its pine coasts, irregular shoreline, and many peninsulas and islands, despite being smaller in size.^[2] Its maximum depth is 96 feet (29 m), making it the third deepest lake in Grand Traverse County. It is also the fourth-largest lake entirely within Grand Traverse County, after Long Lake, Green Lake, and Duck Lake.

Quick Facts Location, Coordinates ...

Silver Lake
A small island in Silver Lake
Silver Lake Show map of Michigan Silver Lake Show map of the United States
Location	Grand Traverse County, Michigan (Garfield Township & Blair Township)
Coordinates	44°41′44″N 85°41′08″W
Type	Kettle lake
Part of	Grand Traverse Bay Watershed
Primary inflows	Mud Lake
Primary outflows	Beitner Creek
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	3.45 mi (5.55 km)
Max. width	2,607 ft (795 m)
Surface area	600 acres (240 ha)
Average depth	23.4 ft (7.1 m)
Max. depth	96.0 ft (29.3 m)
Surface elevation	863 ft (263 m)[1]
Islands	Anderson/Montague Island, Drake Island, Moresby Island, Raspberry Island, Trega Island
Settlements	Kratochvil's Plat (Ghost Town)

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Silver Lake was originally named Lake Kratochvil, after the small nearby town called Kratochvil's Plat (which is now a ghost town), itself named after Frank Kratochvil, a local settler.^[3] Frank's daughter, Anna, was the mother of W.D.C. Germaine, mayor of nearby Traverse City. The lake was later named Silver Lake.

Until sometime in the early 1900s, Blair Township was known as "Silver Lake Township".^[4]

In 1965, the Silver Lake Improvement Association was established to promote the care and preservation of Silver Lake.^[5]

In 1987, the Grand Traverse County Drain Commission installed a high water outflow dam at the southern end of the lake.

Silver Lake is a local hotspot for fishing. It is known for its Bass, Bluegill, Perch, Pike, Lake sunfish, and Walleye. There is a public dock used for launching boats on the eastern shore of the lake. The Silver Lake Recreation Area is a park for people of all ages, and is located northeast of the lake.^[6] Holiday Park Campground is a large private campground on the southern end of the lake, just off of US 31. It has boat access and has RV camping lots surrounding the lake.^[7] Annually, there are regattas and fishing competitions on the lake.

The lake is popular in winter with ice fishers.

• List of lakes in Michigan