Bass Lake · Long Lake Township · Traverse City, MI
Bass Lake homes for sale
Every lakefront home and lot for sale on Bass Lake, the smaller lake just east of Long Lake in Long Lake Township, pulled from the MLS each week, plus a 3D map of the lake bottom so you can see the water off each shoreline.
Listings updated October 8, 2026. Prices and status can change between updates, so ask us before you fall for one.
Bass Lake
Grand Traverse County · MI
This 3D lake model needs a browser with WebGL. Ask us about Bass Lake frontage and we’ll send you the depth map.
The lake bottom comes from the Michigan DNR lake survey, whose deepest contour is 29 feet. Height is exaggerated so the drop offs show. A guide, not a navigation chart.
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Homes for sale on Bass Lake
Every active Bass Lake waterfront listing, homes first, highest price first, then lots. Tap a photo to fly to it on the lake.
$959,000
274 Bass Lake Road
Traverse City, MI 49685
3 bd · 2 ba · 1,658 sq ft
152 ft of private frontage · Built 1935
Listing courtesy of Realta,LLC · MLS #1951237
Ask about this home →Living on Bass Lake
Bass Lake sits west of Traverse City in Long Lake Township, a short drive from Long Lake, Silver Lake and Dyer Lake.
It is a mid sized inland lake, about 357 acres with a deepest point of about 29 feet. A handful of small islands sit in the lake, and it drains through Beitner Creek to the Boardman River.
Most of the lake is in Long Lake Township, with the southern end in Green Lake Township. Camp Carvela, a summer camp, is on the southwest shore.
Frontage is listed as private or shared, and every card above says which one it is.
Size
About 357 acres on the DNR lake map.
Depth
About 29 feet at the deepest surveyed point.
Islands
Namaste, Greene, Germaine, Caroline and Phantom Islands.
Outlet
Beitner Creek, which flows to the Boardman River.
Township
Mostly Long Lake Township, with the southern end in Green Lake Township.
DNR launch
A single lane concrete ramp off Fishing Site Road.
Parking
About six spaces, with room for trailers.
Nearby lakes
Long Lake, Silver Lake and Dyer Lake are all close by.
Getting on the water
Bass Lake has a public boat launch run by the Michigan DNR, so you can get on the water even if you buy off the lake or on shared frontage.
It is a quieter lake than Long Lake next door, and a good fit if you want a smaller lake with easy access back into Traverse City.
Buying on Bass Lake: what to know
Septic inspection at sale
Since 2026 Grand Traverse County requires a well and septic evaluation for homes within 300 feet of a lake, and Long Lake Township requires a point of sale septic inspection too. The seller arranges it before closing, and the report can change a deal, so we read it early.
Private or shared frontage
Shared frontage usually means an association lot and dock rules. Ask for the association documents before you write an offer.
Short term rentals
Rules vary by township and change. We check the current ordinance for the exact address.
Depth off the dock
Some shorelines drop off fast and some stay shallow. Use the 3D map, then look in person.
Which township
The south end of the lake is in Green Lake Township, so the rules can differ by address. We confirm it for each home.
Compare the neighbors
Long Lake and Silver Lake are minutes away. Spend time on a few before you decide.
Bass Lake questions
How deep is Bass Lake in Traverse City?
About 29 feet at its deepest. That is the deepest contour on the Michigan DNR lake survey map, and you can see where it sits on the 3D map above.
How big is Bass Lake?
About 357 acres on the Michigan DNR lake map, and other sources list it at about 343 acres. It has several small islands, including Namaste, Greene, Germaine, Caroline and Phantom Islands.
Where is Bass Lake?
West of Traverse City in Grand Traverse County, just east of Long Lake. Most of it is in Long Lake Township, and its southern end reaches into Green Lake Township. Bass Lake Road runs along the area, off Silver Lake Road and Secor Road.
Is there public access to Bass Lake?
Yes. The Michigan DNR has a boat launch on the lake with a single lane concrete ramp and parking for about six vehicles, including trailers. It sits off Fishing Site Road.
Where does Bass Lake drain?
Bass Lake flows out through Beitner Creek to the Boardman River, so it is part of the Boardman River and Grand Traverse Bay watersheds.
Do Bass Lake homes need a septic inspection to sell?
Most likely, yes. Since January 1, 2026 Grand Traverse County requires a time of transfer evaluation for homes within 300 feet of a lake or stream that have a well or septic system. Long Lake Township has also required a point of sale septic inspection since 2009. We get it scheduled early so it does not hold up closing.
Looking on Bass Lake?
Bass Lake is a small lake, so there is not much to choose from at any one time. We are Traverse City Realtors who work Long Lake Township and the other inland lakes around town. Tell us your budget and what you want on the water, and we will send you new Bass Lake listings as soon as they hit the MLS.
More lakes near Traverse City
Listing information comes from Northern Great Lakes REALTORS® MLS and is refreshed weekly. Homes listed by other brokerages are shown with the listing office’s name. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed and should be verified. Janel Brown and Taylor Brown, Real Estate One, Traverse City.
Lake facts: Bass Lake (Long Lake Township) on Wikipedia, Bass Lake North DNR boat ramp, Bass Lake boat access site, Michigan DNR Grand Traverse County facilities, Grand Traverse County time of transfer. Depth map from Michigan DNR Institute for Fisheries Research lake contours. Imagery: USGS. Elevation: Mapzen / AWS Terrain Tiles.