The Great Lakes consisting of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie, and Lake Ontario surround Michigan and are synonymous with the state. They help give our state that distinctive "Mitten" appearance you use your hand to demonstrate where you live and make for fantastic merchandising opportunities.

Illustrated map of the state of Michigan in United States with cities and landmarks. Editable vector illustration
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But beyond that, the largest freshwater lakes in the world provide people with sought-after destinations to fish, swim, and more.

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But what other lakes in Michigan are "great" besides the big ones everyone knows Michigan for?

Premier Michigan Lakes

Recently, a post on the r/Michigan subreddit created quite a buzz after user ResidentRunner1 made this post:

What's your favorite lake that isn't a Great Lake?
byu/ResidentRunner1 inMichigan

Chain of Lakes (Elk Rapids, MI)

Users in the replies were full of jokes, as everyone wanted their favorite lakes to remain a secret, like the most upvoted option the Chain of Lakes:

Absolutely not the Chain of Lakes, no way, it’s awful up there no one go there

The Chain of Lakes is a flat-water system made up of 12 lakes and interconnected rivers, meaning kayakers can paddle anywhere on the water and not have to put up with a current keeping them from their starting points. With over 84 access sites, there are plenty of opportunities for paddlers of all experience levels to get in on the action.

 

Read More: What Happened to The Great Lakes' 'Holy Grail' Of Shipwrecks? |

 

Higgins Lake (Roscommon County)

Higgins Lake is a beautiful clear water lake situated between US-127 and I-75 and is just north of Houghton Lake. Higgins Lake was named the 6th most beautiful lake in the world by National Geographic, making this seemingly random lake in the northern part of Michigan a real gem.

Hubbard Lake (Alpena, MI)

Located south of Alpena in northeast Michigan, Hubbard Lake borders Lake Huron and is a popular location for birth enthusiasts to birding. It is one of Michigan's largest inland lakes and has exceptionally clear water.

Lake Charlevoix (Charlevoix, County)

One of Michigan's more well-known lakes, this sprawling lake (along with Torch Lake) makes Northwest Michigan a popular spot for fishing, boating, kayaking, and hiking. The water is exceptionally clear and is one of the largest inland lakes in Michigan.

 

Photo by Alfred Boivin on Unsplash
Photo by Alfred Boivin on Unsplash
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If you have a lowkey lake that you love that doesn't get enough attention, let me know and I'll make sure to add it to this list!

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