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What about Portage Lake in the Waterloo Rec. area? They are pet friendly, a big boat launch, and a shelter we can rent with a grill. I would be willing to bring hamburgers and hot dogs and cook, so the rest can enjoy the day. We could have a fish fry at liars club. Rules for contest could be, any lake in the Waterloo Rec. area will be allowed.
I am assuming you are referring to "Big Portage Lake"? If so, it is a state park with nice amenities. I believe the launch is either a 4 or 5 dock launch with slips on either side. Like other campgrounds in the area, this one gets pretty full on the weekends. Especially after school is out.
Not that this matters but, I've never actually caught a crappie out of Big Portage. The DNR report says they are there, but I cannot seem to find them.
Well at least we won't have to worry about a "home team" advantage then. :biggrinQuote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
He did say that you would be able to fish ANY lake in the waterloo chain! I sent him a pm on another idea.
As wick found, we should look at Natures Chain of Lakes campground web site. I like the fact that the lakes are no wake. Also a dock can be rented for 5.00 extra a day. We will be going to Brower on Tusday, and we are planning on scouting it out.
Okay post asap. Dates too.
That area is located in Six Lakes Michigan. It is a chain of lakes and all of them are no wake. The campground is located on 4th lake. Tim found out that if you rent so many sights, we can use the pavilion for free. I've never been to this chain but it is pretty centrally located in the state.
Rules say max pontoon length of 18'. How long is yours Larry?
Also they DO NOT accept credit cards so we would have to find out how to work out payments. Just a couple of things to note.
According to their web page Fifth Lake is not a "no wake" lake, but all the others are. Campground is on Fifth Lake. Just for clarification.Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
Boy Danny it sounds like you might be entertaining tho'ts of heading north if the dates work out. That would be sweet.Quote:
Originally Posted by "D"
I was told that fifth lake is no wake from 7 to 10 or 11 am then 7.30 pm on. The rest are no wake, I missed the part on the pontoon length.
Is this down near Jackson? East a bit?
The Waterloo Area is just west of Pinckney Rec area, east of Jackson. Six lakes are North of Grand Rapids East of Howard city.
Thanks.
Whenever the location get confirmed, I hope somebody puts up a link to the area.
Pontoon is 20'. It's also a long time till spring. Make the plans for wherever the group would like to go, not around our pontoon. I don't see the difference between a 20' pontoon or a 20' boat?
Well, that kind of changes things. If they have a length restriction, there are a few of us that are out (Kevin, Gary, and myself included). I think Steve's boat is bigger than that.
I also saw the part about the "no credit cards". That one makes it tough as well. Tim sent me a message and said that him and Dar will be heading over to that area this weekend. Maybe a few things will get hashed out. He said he will also look at a few other spots on Hardy as well. When I saw six lakes, I was looking at it as being "centrally located". In putting on the last two hardy events I noticed the participation level was up. Might be a result of us changing from May to June, or it might be the location. I was looking for other areas that were centrally located and came across six lakes.
I have no problems going back to Hardy. Great place, tons of room, lots of places to fish. Let's see what Tim finds out. I am concerned about the overall length issue. When we set these up, we try to make it so that everyone CAN be included. If a certain area has a restriction that would limit one of our group participants, then we simply have to look for another location! How's that for a good answer Larry!!! Basically put, if Larry cannot go because his boat is bigger than allowed, then MICDC can't go! Let's wait and see what Tim has to say. Maybe he finds the place isn't great, maybe the credit card issue is a sticking point, or maybe they will allow Larry's boat.
I guess this is why we start planning early!
Agreed.:cheers2Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
I was doing some sleuthing the other day looking at Big Bend and Oxbow CG on Hardy. They are upstream more towards the better crappie areas. They still have boat and vehicle charges, but that seems to be par for the course dealing with small municipality campgrounds. They do allow pets also. I would always fish Hardy again. Just sayin.
2x on thatQuote:
Originally Posted by yankee doodler
Never been on any of these, but I am gameQuote:
Originally Posted by yankee doodler
Don, Funny you mention that, Tim told me he was visiting "Big Bend" on his visit.
My boat is technically a 19' so I'd be good, however.....I agree, if one of us can't go because of a length rule, then none of us need to go. That being said, I would love to go to Hardy again. I liked it so well that I took the Mrs. up there to show her what she missed. I know you all went to sessions a bit ago, that seems nice too. Martiny maybe????
Whatever you guys come up with, I will go with the flow, and just hope I can make it.
Well we got to Brower Park and it was CLOSED FOR THE SEASON!!!!!!! on Oct 3. But we headed over to six lakes and to be honest, I am not crazy about the location, I asked for directions in White Cloud and it sounds like it may be hard to find also.
Don did suggest Big Bend at spring, It sounds like this might be a good idea as most of us are familiar with the area, I'll see if we can all fit our stuff in Big Bend.
We would never want to hold the group up from going to a certain place. With some of the rules these campgrounds have? It is probably a good idea to plan early. A 20' pontoon is on the smaller side of most pontoons you see on the water. Never heard of a rule like that... No credit cards? Really? lol.Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
Yea it just wouldn't be right without any of you guys for some crazy rule. Especially my fish fry buddy����. I'm down for whatever place is chosen
I vote for spring camp on the Detroit river!Quote:
Originally Posted by skillett007
:)
Oh don't worry Eric, We will meet up in the spring on the river.
Never hard to spot.... he's in the boat doing circles in a crowd of people:Rofl
I will have my own boat before spring! No more circles for me! I am also sadly disappointed no one said anything about my circle joke in my new boat thread.Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
Because we all know it wasn't you. You were just the hapless passenger sitting in the back of said named boat shaking your head and possibly getting vertigo from the "tiltawhirl" style ride you were on!
I don't think I have laughed so hard. The funniest part was Kevin and I watching him do circles while you texted us from the back of the boat!!! Then, watching as he held up a fish, you took photographs, and the boat went wherever it wanted while 1000 other fisherman avoided you like the plague.
That was hilarious , hope we don't see that this spring but if so I'll record it.
Hopefully you will take the remote from me if I'm that bad. I should have some good experience by then though.
Just an FYI, Martiny is too small for the large rigs we pull combined with the size of our group.
I was going to ask about that Gary. Thanks!
Kevin, I carry a spare remote in my boat. I'll program it to Eric's motor just in case he needs a hand!!! Good old "Figure 8"
But don't tell him, just use it when he is close and let him figure out what's wrong. "D"Quote:
Originally Posted by wicklundrh
That's too funny.
Well, back to spring camp, we scouted Big Bend and It looks pretty good, with sites 199-210 that look the best for us. Their is dock rental, with the docks being right by camp sites. and a play area near by.
Also a pavilion for rent. Pets are ok, but only one cabin with four beds.
The docks are down about ten steps, and I should warn you there is a rather large tree in the launch area. NOT DOWN, it is growing there!!!! No it is not in the water.
Not a bad campground but nothing fancy.
Also a store is near by.
Thanks for checking it out.
anymore info on Big Bend ?
I'm thinking it's a road trip Jimmy. What you think?Quote:
Originally Posted by ready2fish
Mmmm.... Road trip.