Wilson Lake

Watershed: Elk River Watershed
Primary Inflows: Intermediate River, Von Stratten Creek
Surface Area: 89 acres
Shoreline: 3.4 miles
Maximum Depth: 48 feet
Public Access Sites: 2
Description:
Wilson Lake is located in the upper Elk River Chain of Lakes. A short section (1/4 mile) of the Intermediate River feeds Wilson Lake from Ellsworth Lake; another short section (1/3 mile) flows from Wilson Lake into Ben-Way Lake. Von Stratten Creek is a small inlet in the southwest corner of the lake. A pronounced sand delta is evident at this creek’s mouth, a result of the sand bedload carried by the creek. The lake supports populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and longnose gar, among other species.
Known Aquatic Invasive Species:
Zebra mussels
Monitoring and Research:
Wilson Lake is monitored every three years through the Watershed Council’s Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring (CWQM) Program for dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chloride levels.
It is NOT monitored through the Watershed Council’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring (VLM) Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Watershed Council at 231-347-1181.
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Publications:
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001) - Hard Copy only, $
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
Data from Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) surveys of this lake can be accessed online in the Michigan Surface Water Information Management System (MiSWIMS).
Primary Inflows: Intermediate River, Von Stratten Creek
Surface Area: 89 acres
Shoreline: 3.4 miles
Maximum Depth: 48 feet
Public Access Sites: 2
Description:
Wilson Lake is located in the upper Elk River Chain of Lakes. A short section (1/4 mile) of the Intermediate River feeds Wilson Lake from Ellsworth Lake; another short section (1/3 mile) flows from Wilson Lake into Ben-Way Lake. Von Stratten Creek is a small inlet in the southwest corner of the lake. A pronounced sand delta is evident at this creek’s mouth, a result of the sand bedload carried by the creek. The lake supports populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and longnose gar, among other species.
Known Aquatic Invasive Species:
Zebra mussels
Monitoring and Research:
Wilson Lake is monitored every three years through the Watershed Council’s Comprehensive Water Quality Monitoring (CWQM) Program for dissolved oxygen, specific conductivity, pH, nitrate-nitrogen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chloride levels.
It is NOT monitored through the Watershed Council’s Volunteer Lake Monitoring (VLM) Program. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, contact the Watershed Council at 231-347-1181.
The Elk River Chain of Lakes Watershed Plan Implementation Team meets regularly and is working to protect the lakes in the Chain.
Publications:
Elk River Chain of Lakes – Lake Profile (2010)
Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan (2005)
Fish of the Elk River Chain of Lakes (2001) - Hard Copy only, $
Additional Resources:
See additional resources on our Aquavist page.
A wide variety of maps for this area are available online at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) Data Resources page.
Data from Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) surveys of this lake can be accessed online in the Michigan Surface Water Information Management System (MiSWIMS).