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lakeglance

MichiganNatural lake, 17,606 acres, Roscommon County

Houghton Lake conditions today

Houghton Lake, Michigan
Photo: H.G. Judd, CC BY-SA 3.0

Right now on Houghton

loading

Best window

0pm to 0pm

score

Wind

00kt

Gusts 00

Direction

NE

Blowing from

Air temp

00°F

High

Rain

Dry

next 6 hours

Water level

1,137.57ft

Steady this week

Sailing

Checking

Reading the forecast

Kayak and SUP

Checking

Reading the forecast

Power boating

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Reading the forecast

Fishing

Checking

Reading the forecast

Hour by hour

Next 24 hours
Wind and gusts0 to 30+ ktScoreGood, caution, stay ashoreNightBest windowArrows point where the wind blows to.

Outlook. Monday: N wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 54°F. Tuesday: SE wind 6 to 10 kt, gusts to 16 kt, high near 54°F.

7-day wind forecast

Live radar

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Radar will load here

LightHeavy

Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.

Water level

Full report

1,137.57ft NAVD88

-0.08 ft in 7 days
Sep 25Oct 10Oct 25

Reading from Oct 26, 2026.

Houghton Lake was at 1,137.57 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.08 ft).

Lake facts

Type
Natural lake
State
Michigan
County
Roscommon County
Surface area
17,606 acres
Elevation
1,138 ft
USGS gauge
442400084472801, Houghton Lake near Houghton Lake Heights, MI
Coordinates
44.3389° N, 84.7250° W

Background reading: Houghton Lake on Wikipedia

About Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake is a 17,606-acre natural lake in Roscommon County, Michigan. The water surface sits about 1,138 ft above sea level.

Water level on this page comes from USGS gauge 442400084472801 (Houghton Lake near Houghton Lake Heights, MI), about 6 mi from the middle of the lake. Wind, gusts and rain come from the National Weather Service forecast grid that covers the water.

With this much open water, waves build quickly when the wind lines up with the long axis of the lake. Pick a launch on the upwind shore on breezy days and the ride home is easier.

The go or no-go calls above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Read how we score conditions, and always check local rules and posted warnings before you launch.

Houghton Lake questions

Is it windy on Houghton Lake today?

The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: N wind 5 to 6 kt, gusts to 12 kt, high near 54°F. The panel at the top of this page refreshes the current wind, gusts and direction when you open it and turns them into a call for sailing, paddling, power boating and fishing.

What is the water level at Houghton Lake right now?

Houghton Lake was at 1,137.57 ft on October 26, holding steady over the past week (-0.08 ft).

How big is Houghton Lake?

Houghton Lake covers about 17,606 acres (28 square miles) of surface water.

Nearby lakes

If Houghton is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.