Glen Lake is a lake located in Northern Michigan . Located in the southwestern Leelanau Peninsula , the lake is directly adjacent to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore , and is, at its closest, about 0.94 miles (1.51 km) from Lake Michigan . The lake consists of two large bodies of water connected by a narrow channel, which is traversed by a causeway carrying the famous highway M-22 . The body of water on the west of this causeway, which is far shallower and more elongated, is known as Little Glen Lake , and the body of water east of the causeway, which is nearly perfectly round and deeper, is known as Big Glen Lake .
7-514: The total area of Glen Lake is 6,286 acres (25 km), with a maximum depth 130 feet (40 m). The lake empties into Lake Michigan via the shallow Crystal River which winds through Glen Arbor . The area around Glen Lake was first settled by the Odawa , Ojibwe , and Potawatomi peoples, all members of the Council of Three Fires . Since the foundation of nearby Glen Arbor in 1847, Glen Lake and
14-432: A popular lake for vacationers, with opportunities for boating, swimming, and fishing. Sportfish include yellow perch , smallmouth bass , northern pike , brown trout , and lake trout . Crystal River (Michigan) The Crystal River is a 6.3-mile-long (10.1 km) stream located in the southwest section of Leelanau County in northern Michigan 's Lower Peninsula , flowing from Glen Lake through sections of
21-412: Is also popular with fly fishermen and has a large population of brook and rainbow trout . The river is also a run for lake trout and salmon species coming from Lake Michigan into Glen Lake. Numerous cottages are located along the lower reaches of the river from Glen Arbor to its mouth emptying into Lake Michigan. Groves of cedar , tamarack and paper birch , as well as the swamp lands bordering
28-469: Is where the lake derives its name. The lake is divided east–west by a north–south causeway carrying the highway M-22 . Glen Lake is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Great Lakes region. Its waters, filtered by the underlying and surrounding sands, are remarkably clear and pure, and glow with an iridescent indigo blue. Its beauty, purity, and lack of large waves make it
35-497: The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore into Lake Michigan just north of the small town of Glen Arbor . Although the straight-line distance between Glen Lake and Lake Michigan is only 1.2 miles (1.9 km), the river meanders through swamp lands for more than 5 times that distance. The river is popular with kayakers , rafters and canoe enthusiasts, with two outfitters located in
42-465: The surrounding area had become very popular with tourists. In 1971, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore was created adjacent to the lake to protect the natural beauty of the area. The lake is situated within the rolling hills and glens of Leelanau County , terrain that is relatively rare for Northwestern Michigan. However, this terrain is natural to the wooded sand hills of the neighboring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore . From this terrain
49-497: The village of Glen Arbor. For the most part, the depth of the river is no more than 1 foot (0.30 m), and the width averages 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 m) with a sandy bottom, making it ideal for families, beginning canoeists and kayakers. There are a few portages where the river flows through drainage pipes under the County Road. There is one flood control dam on the river, just past its source on Glen Lake. The Crystal
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