Butch’s Tackle & Marine at Torch Lake

Rentals from Butch's Tackle & Marine at Torch Lake include life jackets, safety equipment, fuel, cooler storage, a bimini top and a Bluetooth stereo. Amenities vary by boat and by season, so confirm what comes with the boat you book.

The legal minimum depends on vessel class and power: Michigan has no minimum operating age for a motorboat of 6 horsepower or less. For more than 6 horsepower, unsupervised operation starts at 12 with a boating safety certificate. Under 12, operation through 35 horsepower requires that certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16; stronger boats are prohibited. Personal watercraft require age 14. Ages 14–15 need a certificate and either a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult 21 or older onboard, or within 100 feet while that adult operates another personal watercraft; independent operation starts at 16. Certificates are compulsory for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996, and PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Rental operators set their minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Michigan requires a boating safety certificate rather than a recreational boating license for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, operating a motorboat over 6 horsepower. A child under 12 may operate 6 to 35 horsepower only with a certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16, and may not operate more than 35 horsepower.

For personal watercraft, no one under 14 may operate. Ages 14 and 15 need a certificate plus either accompaniment by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult 21 or older, or operation within 100 feet of one; operators born after December 31, 1978, need a certificate. A renter who completes livery safety training may use the written rental agreement as a certificate only for the listed rental dates. Michigan DNR administers the program.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

From Bellaire, launch at Ohio Street on the Intermediate River and cruise into Lake Bellaire, the first broad water on the lower Chain of Lakes. Grass River links Lake Bellaire to Clam Lake and is slow-no-wake. Cross Clam Lake, then follow the slow-no-wake Clam River into Torch Lake, the open-water choice for powerboating or sailing; boaters also gather at its southern sandbars.

For alternate put-ins, the local paddling map marks Fisherman’s Paradise on Lake Bellaire and the Clam Lake Road launch. The Intermediate River is slow-no-wake too, so plan an easy pace leaving Bellaire.

Source: Grass River Natural Area (grassriver.org)

From Bellaire, boaters can make day trips to the Grass River Natural Area dock for access to boardwalk trails; Alden Safe Harbor and adjoining Archie Valleau Landing for a harbor stop beside one of Torch Lake’s few sandy public beaches; and Torch Lake’s southern sandbar, where boats gather for a social stop on the water. These destinations offer a nature walk, an Alden shoreline break and a classic sandbar outing along the connected Chain of Lakes.

Source: Grass River Natural Area (grassriver.org)