Use the interactive map to explore all seven lakes.
Southwest Michigan’s Three Rivers region is defined by water. Where the St. Joseph, Rocky, and Portage rivers meet, the land unfolds into a network of inland lakes that draw year-round residents and weekend visitors alike. Within a short drive of Kalamazoo, Elkhart, and South Bend, this corridor offers a balance of wooded privacy, small-town warmth, and true lake-life recreation.
The seven major lakes surrounding Three Rivers: Long, Clear, Pleasant, Harwood, Portage, Corey, and Fishers; each present its own rhythm. Some deliver open-water excitement and active boating; others remain calm, nature-rich sanctuaries for paddling and reflection. Collectively, they create one of Michigan’s most versatile waterfront markets, a place where residents can choose between full-throttle summer days and peaceful winter stillness. Whether you seek a modern all-sports property or a wooded retreat on a quiet cove, the Three Rivers Area Lakes invite you to live where every season meets the shoreline.
Long Lake lies just west of downtown Three Rivers. Its elongated shape provides boaters with long, smooth runs for skiing and wakeboarding, while the north and south ends remain calm for paddleboarding and fishing. The water here is clean, clear, and unusually consistent in depth, maintaining excellent conditions year-round.
Surrounded by rolling, wooded hills, Long Lake feels secluded yet remains only minutes from groceries, dining, and schools. A public boat launch on the eastern shore ensures accessibility without sacrificing the quiet rhythm that homeowners prize. It’s a lake that manages to be both lively and laid-back, equally suited to a morning kayak glide or an afternoon of tubing with friends.
Homes on Long Lake range from early-century cottages with wraparound porches to new construction built for year-round living. Many properties feature wide sandy frontage, private docks, and boathouses designed for multiple watercraft. The gradual bottom slope makes swimming safe for children and pets.
Prices typically start around $425,000 for smaller cottages and reach $950,000 or more for larger or recently built homes. Because turnover is low, listings tend to attract multiple interested buyers in spring and early summer. Residents form an active neighborhood association that coordinates shoreline maintenance and seasonal gatherings.
Long Lake is a true four-season playground. In summer, it hosts everything from wakeboard competitions to twilight pontoon parades. Anglers find healthy populations of bass, bluegill, and crappie. Autumn brings scenic foliage tours by kayak as red maples reflect off the still water. Winter transforms the lake into a skating rink and ice-fishing haven. Nearby hiking trails at Meyer Broadway Park and the Rocky River Heritage Trail offer additional outdoor variety, ensuring that lake residents never run out of ways to connect with nature.
Just north of Three Rivers, Clear Lake glistens exactly as its name promises. It is one of Southwest Michigan’s clearest all-sports lakes. The sandy bottom and spring-fed circulation keep the water remarkably transparent year-round, earning it a reputation among divers and swimmers alike.
The lake’s compact shape and moderate size create a sense of intimacy despite its popularity. Bordered by mature hardwoods and well-kept homes, Clear Lake combines the convenience of quick highway access with the privacy of a woodland retreat.
Clear Lake properties include mid-century cottages lovingly updated with modern finishes and new lake houses emphasizing open design and panoramic windows. Most lots are medium-sized, giving homeowners both space and community connection. Lakefront real estate ranges from $450,000 for smaller seasonal homes to $1.1 million for larger residences with premium frontage.
The shoreline is known for being exceptionally well cared for, thanks to an active property owners’ association that oversees water-quality testing and annual cleanups. With easy access to Kalamazoo’s employers and amenities, Clear Lake appeals to commuters who crave evening sunsets after a workday in the city.
Clear Lake is a magnet for recreation. Summer mornings see sailboats drifting across the calm surface before jet-skiers take to the deeper center. Anglers chase largemouth bass, walleye, and yellow perch. Paddleboarders explore the quiet coves along the north shore, and scuba enthusiasts enjoy visibility often exceeding 20 feet. In winter, Clear Lake’s steady freeze supports ice skating, cross-country skiing, and small-community hockey games. For land adventures, the Portage River Water Trail and the Swiss Valley Ski Area are within 15 minutes. Every season presents a fresh reason to stay outdoors.
East of Three Rivers lies Pleasant Lake, a sparkling body of water embraced by trees and open sky. True to its name, it embodies gentle living. It’s large enough for motorboats and small enough to feel neighborly. With clear water, soft sandy beaches, and tranquil surroundings, it’s a favorite among families who prefer slower-paced recreation to high-speed traffic.
The community that circles Pleasant Lake has maintained its residential charm for generations, blending long-held cottages with modernized homes while preserving the natural shoreline that defines its beauty.
Pleasant Lake feels like a traditional Midwest neighborhood anchored by water. Many homes are year-round residences rather than summer cottages, creating a stable, close community. Mature oaks provide shade, and broad lawns slope gradually to sandy shorelines. Home prices generally range from $360,000 to $875,000, depending on size and frontage.
Because of its quiet setting and limited short-term rentals, Pleasant Lake holds substantial long-term value. Residents enjoy spontaneous cookouts, community yard sales, and shared fireworks over the bay each July 4. For newcomers, integration is easy; neighborliness is part of the culture here.
Pleasant Lake’s slower pace invites exploration. Mornings begin with fishing for bluegill and perch; afternoons bring leisurely pontoon cruises. Paddleboarders circle the coves, and kids swim safely near the shallow beaches. Cyclists ride Pleasant Lake Road’s gentle hills, while hikers follow the nearby Hoffman Street Trail for forest views. In autumn, residents canoe under canopies of color; in winter, they snowshoe across frozen bays. Every activity here seems designed to match the lake’s easygoing name: pleasant, peaceful, and enduringly authentic.
Southwest of Three Rivers, Harwood Lake provides an entirely different rhythm: a no-wake lake wrapped in thick woodland. It’s still surface mirrors clouds and pines, and its quiet coves shelter herons, loons, and turtles. Because motorized speed is restricted, the lake stays calm even on summer weekends, making it a sanctuary for those seeking peace rather than pace.
With limited development and largely private frontage, Harwood Lake remains one of the region’s best-kept secrets—a reminder that true solitude still exists within minutes of town.
Homes on Harwood Lake sit on generous wooded lots, often tucked behind natural buffers of ferns and pines. Architecture ranges from cozy A-frames to custom craftsman designs emphasizing sustainability and privacy. Prices vary from $350,000 for smaller homes to $750,000 for well-appointed properties with extensive frontage. Because there are so few homes, listings are rare and highly coveted.
Residents prize the slower rhythm—coffee on the dock, quiet paddles at sunrise, and evenings when the only sounds are frogs and wind through the trees. Broadband expansion has even made remote work possible without compromising tranquility.
Harwood Lake’s natural setting turns everyday recreation into an escape. Kayakers glide through lily-lined shallows, observing cranes and otters. Anglers enjoy excellent largemouth bass and northern pike fishing, particularly near the western drop-offs. On land, hikers wander connecting paths through Fabius Township Forest, and birders frequent the adjacent wetlands. When winter arrives, cross-country skiers trace tracks across the frozen surface, and ice anglers set up small shanties over hidden channels. Harwood Lake offers quiet adventure, the kind measured in sunsets rather than speed.
Portage Lake is both the largest and one of the most active lakes in the region. Connected to the Portage River, it offers an extended aquatic network perfect for long cruises, paddle adventures, and exploring scenic coves. Its broad expanse and varied shoreline host every kind of water recreation imaginable, from competitive wakeboarding to tranquil sunset sailing.
Despite its size and popularity, Portage Lake maintains excellent water quality thanks to spring inflows and local stewardship. It’s open water, gentle bays, and easy access make it a magnet for families who want energy, convenience, and year-round enjoyment all in one place.
Homes around Portage Lake reflect the area’s dynamic energy. The shoreline includes a mix of classic cottages, renovated ranches, and modern custom-built lake homes with expansive decks and panoramic windows. Because of its proximity to major roads and cities, many homeowners use their properties year-round rather than seasonally.
Prices range from the mid-$400,000s for smaller homes to well over $1.2 million for luxury properties with extensive frontage and deep-water docks. The community enjoys strong appreciation trends and remains one of the most active lakefront real estate markets in Southwest Michigan.
Neighborhood life here is friendly and social; residents often gather for holiday boat parades, evening campfires, and annual regattas. The Portage Lake Association keeps the water clean, organizes events, and provides a voice for responsible development, ensuring the lake’s vitality for generations to come.
Portage Lake is known for its versatility. Powerboaters, sailors, and anglers share its wide center, while paddlers enjoy its quiet, river-connected edges. Summer weekends bring water skiing, tubing, and swimming at the public beach. Fishermen target walleye, pike, and largemouth bass, while birders spot eagles and osprey soaring overhead. In autumn, the shoreline becomes a painter’s palette of orange and gold, perfect for photography and kayaking. Winter brings a new scene: ice fishing, snowmobiling, and even small-town ice sailing events on windy days. With nearby parks, trails, and access to the Portage River Waterway, outdoor recreation here is limitless.
Corey Lake stands among Southwest Michigan’s most scenic and prestigious inland lakes. It’s located northwest of Three Rivers and is surrounded by wooded hills that offer sweeping panoramic views. The lake’s pristine, spring-fed waters, rich history, and well-established community make it one of the most desirable waterfront addresses in the state.
Corey Lake’s reputation extends beyond its beauty; it’s home to the historic YMCA Camp Eberhart and Corey Lake Orchards, both long-standing landmarks that contribute to the area’s charm and continuity. Its combination of natural depth, clear water, and cultural legacy defines what lake living means in this region.
Corey Lake is known for its blend of heritage and luxury. Century-old cottages stand alongside new architectural masterpieces, and the entire shoreline is dotted with boathouses, docks, and landscaped terraces. Many properties sit on elevated lots that capture expansive views across the deep-blue water.
Real estate values range from $600,000 for smaller, older cottages to $1.6 million or more for custom lakefront estates. Both lifestyle and investment stability draw buyers: Corey Lake properties tend to appreciate steadily, driven by low turnover and enduring appeal.
Residents describe life here as active yet graceful. Neighborhood gatherings, sailing clubs, and summer community picnics create a social rhythm, while quiet mornings and crystal sunsets preserve a sense of serenity. Many families return generation after generation, maintaining the lake’s continuity and character.
Corey Lake’s deep, clear water supports nearly every outdoor pursuit. Powerboating, sailing, and waterskiing dominate summer afternoons, while paddleboards and kayaks glide through calm morning coves. Anglers enjoy bass, pike, and bluegill fishing, especially around the lake’s drop-offs and weed beds. The surrounding hills and orchards invite cycling and hiking in summer, and cross-country skiing in winter. Locals and visitors alike attend events at Camp Eberhart and seasonal festivals at Corey Lake Orchards, combining recreation with community. With so much variety, Corey Lake truly captures four-season outdoor living at its finest.
Fishers Lake lies just west of downtown Three Rivers, offering 330 acres of spring-fed water framed by forest and easy access to local amenities. Its clear water, healthy fish populations, and central location make it one of the area’s most popular lakes for both residents and visitors. With a public marina, launch site, and a surrounding mix of year-round homes and cottages, Fishers Lake delivers the perfect combination of convenience and authentic lakefront charm.
It’s a classic Michigan lake in every sense; active but not overwhelming, scenic but practical, and defined by a community that values connection as much as recreation.
Homes around Fishers Lake range from restored mid-century cottages to new-construction properties with modern open layouts and waterfront decks. The community includes full-time residents and second-home owners alike, creating a welcoming, multi-generational atmosphere.
Typical home prices run from $450,000 for smaller properties up to $1.2 million for larger, updated waterfront residences. The proximity to downtown Three Rivers gives homeowners easy access to restaurants, schools, and year-round community events, a convenience that sets Fishers apart from more remote lakes.
Residents describe it as one of the friendliest lakes in the region, where neighbors organize evening gatherings, fishing tournaments, and holiday boat parades. Fishers Lake blends social vibrancy with a calm, consistent market that continues to draw buyers each year.
Fishers Lake is ideal for active outdoor enthusiasts. In summer, residents enjoy wakeboarding, tubing, and long pontoon cruises. Anglers catch largemouth bass, bluegill, and crappie, while swimmers and kayakers use the marina’s calm bays. Nearby Meyer Broadway Park offers mountain biking, hiking, and disc golf. Autumn colors bring photographers and leaf-watchers, and the lake remains alive through winter with ice fishing, skating, and snowmobile routes that link to surrounding trails. Few Michigan lakes offer such accessibility and consistent recreation.
Here’s a quick lifestyle and pricing snapshot
Long Lake
240
All-sports
Family-oriented, balanced activity
$425K–$950K+
Clear Lake
240
All-sports
Clean, refined, commuter-friendly
$450K–$1.1M
Pleasant Lake
250
All-sports
Traditional, quiet, close-knit
$360K–$875K
Harwood Lake
120
No-wake
Secluded, nature-rich, private
$350K–$750K
Portage Lake
510
All-sports
Active, connected, social
$450K–$1.2M+
Corey Lake
630
All-sports
Prestigious, historic, elegant
$600K–$1.6M+
Fishers Lake
330
All-sports
Accessible, community-driven
$450K–$1.2M
Together, these seven lakes define the character of the Three Rivers area: a balanced mosaic of adventure and tranquility. From the vast open waters of Corey and Portage to the hidden calm of Harwood and Pleasant, each lake provides a distinctive environment for living, relaxing, and exploring. Few regions in Michigan offer this much diversity within such close proximity; an advantage that continues to strengthen both lifestyle and property values throughout the region.
Six of the seven major lakes, Long, Clear, Pleasant, Portage, Corey, and Fishers, are all-sports. Harwood Lake is a peaceful, no-wake body of water ideal for paddling and wildlife viewing.
Homes typically range from $350,000 to $1.6 million, depending on size, frontage, and updates. Premium lots on Corey and Portage command the highest values.
Portage, Corey, and Long Lakes offer large open water ideal for wakeboarding, tubing, and sailing.
Harwood and Pleasant Lakes deliver secluded environments perfect for kayaking, fishing, and relaxation.
Yes. Most homes have full utilities, high-speed internet, and year-round road access, making them ideal for permanent residency.
All lakes except Harwood have at least one public launch. Some areas remain private for residents only.
The Three Rivers area offers hiking, cycling, birding, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and nearby golf and orchards; true four-season recreation.
Inventory remains tight, and lake homes often sell quickly in spring and summer. Long-term appreciation trends remain strong.
Buildable lakefront lots are rare but occasionally available, especially on Long and Pleasant Lakes.
About 45 minutes from Kalamazoo, 1 hour from South Bend, and 2.5 hours from Chicago; ideal for commuters and weekenders alike.
Whether you’re buying your first lake cottage, relocating to a year-round waterfront home, or preparing to sell, Lake Life Realty and Paul DeLano bring unmatched expertise to the Three Rivers area. With decades of experience and deep local knowledge, Paul and his team specialize exclusively in Southwest Michigan lakefront property, ensuring clients receive accurate valuations, strategic marketing, and professional guidance from start to close.
Buyers benefit from insider access to both active and off-market listings, while sellers gain visibility through high-quality presentation, drone imagery, and targeted digital reach. Beyond data and marketing, the Lake Life Realty team offers genuine connection and understanding of what makes lake living special.
Ready to find your place on the water?
Visit TheLakeLife.com or contact Paul DeLano directly to schedule a consultation or request a complimentary market analysis of your Three Rivers area lakefront property. With Lake Life Realty, you’ll have an experienced guide and a lifelong neighbor helping you make the most of Michigan’s lakefront lifestyle.
“Paul and his team are my go-to experts for lake property in Southwest Michigan. He’s got great perspective and expertise when it comes to getting a deal done.” Tim L.
