Clark Lake

About this Map

At approximately 865 acres, Clark Lake is Door County’s second-largest inland lake, behind only Kangaroo Lake. Despite its size, Clark Lake is quite shallow overall, with a mean depth of only about seven feet. The depth contours on my map illustrate the lake’s broad, shallow character along with the somewhat deeper areas found within it.

Clark Lake is also a popular fishing lake, with a variety of species including panfish, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, and trout. The map combines this lake information with roads, shoreline features, buildings, public access, and other details to place Clark Lake within the larger Door County landscape.

And there is quite a landscape surrounding it. If you’re looking for your nature fix, Clark Lake is almost completely surrounded by an impressive collection of public and protected lands. Whitefish Dunes State Park and Cave Point County Park lie to the east toward Lake Michigan, while other nearby protected areas include Logan Creek State Natural Area and lands associated with The Ridges Sanctuary.

Whitefish Dunes is especially worth exploring, with an extensive trail system through the dunes and forest and some beautiful views of Lake Michigan. Nearby Cave Point, of course, offers a very different look at the Lake Michigan shoreline, with its exposed dolomite cliffs, caves, and wave-carved rock formations.

I’ve included these surrounding places on the map because they’re an important part of the setting of Clark Lake. Other mapped landmarks include The Point, the Schauer Park boat launch, Anchorage Cottage, and additional local features around the shoreline.

One of the things I like about Clark Lake is the contrast between the quiet, shallow inland lake and the much larger Lake Michigan just beyond the dunes to the east. With Clark Lake, Whitefish Dunes, Cave Point, forests, wetlands, and protected natural areas all packed into a relatively small area, this corner of Door County offers an unusual amount of geographic variety. The map is intended to capture some of that broader sense of place, not just the water inside Clark Lake’s shoreline.

About Clark Lake

At 865 acres, Clark Lake is Door County's second-largest inland lake, after Kangaroo Lake. Despite its size, Clark Lake is relatively shallow, with a mean depth of about 7 feet. The lake supports a variety of fish, including panfish, largemouth and smallmouth bass, trout, walleye, and northern pike.

Clark Lake is surrounded by some of Door County's most distinctive natural landscapes. Whitefish Dunes State Park, Cave Point County Park, The Ridges Sanctuary, and Logan Creek State Natural Area are all nearby, offering trails, natural areas, and views of Lake Michigan.

The map includes Clark Lake's depth contours along with surrounding roads and landmarks, including The Point, Schauer Park boat launch, Anchorage Cottage, Cave Point, and Whitefish Dunes.