Skip to main content
Torch Lake (Houghton County)

Torch Lake (Houghton County)

In the 1980s, the United States and Canadian governments identified 43 places in the Great Lakes region that had severe, long-term environmental problems. These places are called Areas of Concern (or AOCs). People in federal, state, and provincial government environmental remediation programs are working to address the problems in these areas. Funding and expert guidance are provided to AOCs to help local groups, known as Public Advisory Councils (PACs), work on these environmental problems, as well.

Torch Lake is one of the twelve remaining AOCs located in Michigan. Although a lot of work has been done recently to clean up the lake, there are still chemicals on the bottom of the lake and in the fish food chain.

Eat Safe Fish

  • Eat Safe Fish in Houghton County brochure - Download this brochure to learn about choosing and eating safer fish from lakes and rivers in the Torch Lake area.
  • Eat Safe Fish - Keweenaw Bay Indian Community - Download this brochure to learn about choosing and eating safer fish, the legacy of the KBIC fishing community, and try some traditional fish recipes from the Anishinaabe people.
  • Eat Safe Fish Guide - Unfortunately, the problems in Torch Lake aren't unique. To get the fish consumption guidelines for other lakes and rivers in the Upper Peninsula and downstate, check out the regional Eat Safe Fish Guides.
  • Eat Safe Fish from Areas of Concern - For more information about Areas of Concern and the Fish Consumption Beneficial Use Impairment.

Learn more about our partners and the Torch Lake Area of Concern:

To get free print copies of any of these flyers or brochures, please call MDHHS at 1-800-648-6942.