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Opal Lake, Michigan, USA

Sitting on the dock watching the colors of the sunset setting the blue lake on fire, it’s easy to see why this lake is named Opal Lake. White sand beaches ring the shore providing a perfect setting. The exceptionally clean, clear water shines like a jewel in northeast Michigan. The lake is nestled in the alpine village of Gaylord in Michigan’s Snow Belt, ensuring its place as…
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    • All About Opal Lake, MI

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Michigan - Northeast Michigan -

    Sitting on the dock watching the colors of the sunset setting the blue lake on fire, it’s easy to see why this lake is named Opal Lake. White sand beaches ring the shore providing a perfect setting. The exceptionally clean, clear water shines like a jewel in northeast Michigan. The lake is nestled in the alpine village of Gaylord in Michigan’s Snow Belt, ensuring its place as a year round vacation destination.

    Opal Lake is a small, natural lake covering 122 acres in Otsego County. Largemouth bass, bluegill, northern pike, rock bass, walleye and yellow perch can all be found in Opal Lake, and the lake has been stocked with rainbow trout and smallmouth bass. Although lakes of this clarity support smaller populations of fish, the fish tend to grow very large. Anglers may have to work a little harder, but they have a chance at catching one of the “big ones.”

    Access to Opal Lake is from a public car-top boat and canoe launching area managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Opal Lake is an all sports lake; boat rentals are available including ski boats. A small wooded island on one side of the lake is a great place to explore by canoe or kayak. There is residential development around the lake, including vacation rentals tucked in the woods. For anyone who falls in love with Opal Lake, real estate is available for sale around the lake and in nearby Gaylord.

    Named for Augustine Smith Gaylord, an attorney for the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad, Gaylord was established in 1877 as the county seat of Otsego County. Gaylord is an alpine community with year round resorts. It is known for spectacular golf courses, including some on the water, with trails for hiking and biking. As part of Michigan’s Snow Belt, the area receives about 180 inches of snow every winter. Visitors to Opal Lake can find skiing nearby as well as trails for snow shoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobiling.

    The Pigeon River Country Elk Range is just a few minutes from downtown Gaylord and Opal Lake. The 95,000-acre Pigeon River Country State Forest supports the largest free-roaming elk herd east of the Mississippi River. The Michigan DNR works to maintain the forest and field habitat of the elk. Elk are accustomed to cars, so viewing by automobile is the best way to see these magnificent creatures. The elk live in the area year-round, but September, when the bulls begin competing for mating rights, is the best time to see them. Hunting is allowed in season in some parts of the area.

    A tree-lined shore wrapped around white sand beaches holds the clear, clean water of Opal Lake. The lake is as beautiful as its name implies, and with water for fishing and boating, it is a fantastic recreation destination. Add in the amazing golf and abundant snowfall, and Opal Lake becomes the perfect year round northeast Michigan getaway.

    Things to Do at Opal Lake

    These are some activities in the Opal Lake, MI area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Golf
    • Hiking
    • Biking
    • Cross-Country Skiing
    • Snowmobiling
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • State Forest

    What Kind of Fish Are in Opal Lake?

    Opal Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Bluegill
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Northern Pike
    • Perch
    • Pike
    • Rainbow Trout
    • Smallmouth Bass
    • Sunfish
    • Trout
    • Walleye
    • Yellow Perch
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    Find Places to Stay at Opal Lake

    If you’re considering a Opal Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Opal Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Opal Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Opal Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Not Dammed

    Surface Area: 122 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 1,243 feet

    Maximum Depth: 40 feet

    Trophic State: Oligotrophic

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