Part of the Elk River Chain of Lakes. 'Skegemog' is Algonquin for 'the meeting of the waters.' Torch River flows in from Torch Lake on the east. Connected to Elk Lake via the Skegemog Narrows — a quarter-mile-wide, 7-foot-deep passage. The Skegemog Swamp on the eastern end is one of the largest wetlands in the region. Submerged logs and stumps throughout the eastern end — remnants of a conifer swamp flooded when the Elk Rapids dam raised water levels.
Lake Skegemog freezes reliably — shallow depth (29 ft max) means early ice. Popular ice fishing destination with shanties. Sheriff's team has been observed practicing ice rescues here.
Lake Skegemog sits between Torch Lake and Elk Lake — 2,766 acres but only 29 feet deep, making it the warmest and shallowest of the major chain lakes. Formerly known as Round Lake. The Torch River flows in from the east, and the Skegemog Narrows connect to Elk Lake on the west. The tripoint of Antrim, Grand Traverse, and Kalkaska counties meets within the lake.
The shallow depth and submerged stumps make Skegemog a very different experience from the deep, clear chain lakes. The eastern end is full of logs and tree stumps from a conifer swamp flooded by the Elk Rapids dam — dangerous for kayakers near the Torch River entrance. The stumps and lily pads create excellent fish habitat though. Some of the best smallmouth bass fishing in the state according to locals, plus muskellunge, walleye, and pike. Swimmer's itch can be severe in summer — one reviewer called it the worst they'd seen. Mostly undeveloped shoreline with significant wetlands and the Skegemog Natural Area.