Photo by Ryan Ziolko

By Emily Bingham | MLive.com

Torch Lake, a glacier-carved gem set into the lush land of northwest lower Michigan, is often compared to the Caribbean, thanks to its incredibly clear (albeit quite cold) blue-green waters. It is undoubtedly one of the state's most popular -- and most lovely -- lakes. But how much do you know about this stunning body of water? Read on for nine lesser-known facts about the lake, and a collection of some of our favorite Instagram photos featuring this beauty.

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1. It was once named the third most beautiful lake in the world ... maybe.

Torch Lake is beloved for its gorgeous sunsets, crystal-clear waters and jewel-like shades of blue and green. It's no surprise, then, that there has been a long-running rumor claiming the lake was once named 'third-most beautiful lake in the world' by National Geographic magazine. If there's any truth to that claim, though, it has been tough to verify; still, though, the lake is so incredible, who can fault folks for believing it?

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2. It's 'uuuuuge.

With a maximum depth of nearly 300 feet and a surface area of more than 18,000 acres, Torch is the state's largest inland lake by water volume. (Houghton Lake is the largest by surface area, at more than 20,000 acres). Torch is so deep, in fact, that it stays quite cold late into the summer and often does not freeze over in the winter.

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3. Its sandbars are legendary.

Kid Rock's 2008 summertime anthem "All Summer Long" includes a lyric about "splashing through the sandbar," which was reportedly a reference to Torch Lake. In recent years the beautiful, shallow sandbars at the south end of the lake have become a party hot spot -- most notably the weekend sounding July 4th.

In 2015 the revelry came to a head when a reported 10,000 people crammed the lake's southern sandbar for the three-day Fourth of July weekend. A subsequent law-enforcement crackdown led to more peaceful revelry, though that part of the lake is still a large draw for boaters.

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4. Sandbars aren't just at the south end.

There are also sandbars at the north end of the lake, and according to Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council, nearly the entire lake is ringed by a shallow, sandy band that gives way to a steep drop-off, which is partly what gives the lake its jaw-dropping contrasting shades.

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5. It has more public access points than miles of shoreline.

Waterfront property on Torch Lake is famously expensive (homes on the "sunset side" often price well into the millions), but the lake is easily accessible to anyone, with 48 public access points scattered along 41 miles of shoreline.

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6. Its length makes it a waterskiing dream.

For waterskiing and wakeboarding, Torch Lake is damn near perfect: Sizing up at a whopping 19 miles long, this finger of a lake provides a nearly straight shot for miles and miles. No need to keep circling! Just cruise right up and down the center of the lake.

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7. It's part of the Chain of Lakes.

Torch Lake is part of a 75-mile string of northwest lower Michigan lakes, streams and rivers called the Chain of Lakes. The Chain also includes Elk Lake, Lake Bellaire, Lake Skegemog, Clam Lake, Intermediate Lake, and others. A popular summer activity is boating the "Lower Chain," which includes Torch. (Read more at Michigan Water Trails)

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8. It has a boat-to-dinner restaurant.

The Dockside sits at the mouth of Clam River where it meets Torch Lake, and has one of the best sunset-watching decks around. Boaters can pull right up to the restaurant and dock their boats to grab lunch or dinner.

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9. It's home to a historic sailing club.

The Torch Lake Yacht & Country Club, which sits on a picturesque point that juts out into the lake, dates back to 1928 -- in fact, the original log clubhouse, built in '28, still stands as part of the club's facilities.

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More photos

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