Here in Michigan, a beach day usually means driving out to one of our Great Lakes.

But you might be surprised to know that Michigan is also home to a whopping 11,000 inland lakes with their own histories and unique draws.

Best of all, you might even find that one of these lakes is a much shorter trip than going all the way to the edge of the state for a swim.

From Caribbean-blue waters to hidden fishing gems, today we’re taking a look at 10 inland lakes in Michigan worth a trip to this summer.

Proposed legislation would let voters choose nominees for secretary of state, AG (Votebeat): A bipartisan group of Michigan lawmakers is pushing to change how the state chooses nominees for attorney general and secretary of state by moving the process from party conventions to statewide primary elections. Supporters say the change would give regular voters more influence.

Cherry farmer selling orchards amid economic pressure (Realtor): Cherry farmers near Traverse City are increasingly selling orchards as extreme weather and rising costs make farming harder to sustain. Industry leaders warn the trend could threaten a key part of Michigan’s agricultural heritage and tart cherry production.

Michigan college enrollment slips (Bridge Michigan): Michigan’s college enrollment rate for recent high school graduates fell to 54.6% in 2025—down from 64.7% a decade ago. Education leaders worry that rising skepticism about college’s value may be outweighing expanded financial aid efforts.

Aloha State Park on Mullett Lake. (Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

By USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

From the Keweenaw Peninsula to the Ann Arbor Area, rural northeast Michigan and beyond, Michigan offers a variety of lakes where you can unwind in the state’s great outdoors and discover often-forgotten local histories.

Statewide, there are more than 11,000 inland lakes, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The DNR provides maps on around 2,700 of the lakes, but among all of Michigan’s inland water, we found 10 worth an extra look this summer.

“Michigan’s Great Lakes attract plenty of attention. But there are more than 11,000 small inland lakes within Michigan’s borders, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation. Whether your idea of a perfect lake getaway includes a sailboat or ice fishing gear, a kayak or a picnic basket, there’s plenty of reason to visit Michigan’s inland lakes,” Pure Michigan says.

The state is also surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, giving it the longest freshwater coastline of any US state, the DNR noted.

From Caribbean blue waters to sandy beaches, here are 10 Michigan lakes worth putting on your must-visit list.

Random tidbits worth clicking on…

Have a pollen allergy? It might be best to stay inside this week (Stéphane Mingot/Unsplash)

🤧 If you’re sensitive to pollen, you might want to stay indoors since Michigan is under a high pollen count this week. You can use this map to see conditions in the state.

🫡 If you are, or know a veteran, show them this site, which can track down all of the benefits they’ve earned.

📱 Turns out keeping the phones out of class really works. That’s according to a new U of M study that found lockable phone pouches improve student well-being over time.

Do you have a cool picture, website, or comment you’d like to share? Send it here.

Want deeper coverage of Michigan politics? Our free Thursday newsletter, This Week in Michigan Politics, breaks down what’s happening in Lansing and Washington—clearly and without the jargon.

With the midterms approaching, we’ll keep you informed on what could affect your day-to-day life.

Interested?

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from USA Today Network via Reuters Connect. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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