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Robinson Lake is located central Newaygo County. This Michigan lake of 137 acres is located within Sherman Township, six  miles west of White Cloud.

If you have driven through Michigan, you may have seen the billboards or just heard about The Shack. The Shack is a family owned resort and conference center on the southwestern corner of the Robinson Lake. You may be thinking  this is a small mom and pop business, but it is situated on over 120 acres of  land with over 2000 feet of lakefront.  One way to enjoy this beautiful piece of property is to explore it’s trails on the back of one of the horses  available in the horse barn.  There is also a lodge and a first class restaurant on the property. Several people have told me  that huge, delicious banana splits are served at 8:30 PM.

The Michigan DNR has a public hard surface boat launch on this thirty foot deep lake, with both parking and restroom facilities  available.

Another interesting thing is that Robinson Lake is located in Jugville, sometimes called Jugville USA. This may be one of those Michigan burgs that is no longer there. I don’t know much about the history of Jugville,  but if you do let me know.

Pettibone Lake is located in Lilley Township in northern Newaygo County. To reach it, most take M37 to 15 Mile Road and then it is just two miles east to this Michigan lake. Pettibone Lake is 44 acre sandy bottom lake with reported depths of 40 feet.

The lake is serviced by one drive encircling the entire lake. Pettibone Lake is almost completely developed with a nice mix of year round homes and seasonal cottages,  providing a sense of being part of a casual resort community. To the south of the lake there are over 1600 acres of contiguous federal land, all being part of the Manistee National Forest.

Newaygo County maintains the Pettibone Lake County Park on the northern side of the lake. This small three acre county park features a sandy beach, picnic shelter and sixteen campsites with electrical hookups and vault toilet facilities.  The county also maintains a public boat launch at the site. Although this park is not fancy with all the bells and whistles, it is a great place for summer outdoor lakefront activities. In our opinion, bigger is not always better. And this park is not one to be overlooked.

The picture suggests fishermen may have been enjoying this icy Michigan lake.

Houseman Lake is located in Lilley Township just off Bingham Ave. in northern Newaygo County. Houseman Lake is a lake of 70 plus acres with no known public access, making it a very private and secluded lake, yet close to M37 for quick access.

This Michigan lake, situated just outside the Manistee National Forest, is surrounded by homes tucked in their natural wooded surroundings. This lake is not overbuilt by any means, nor does it seem it will be, as many of the homes are on built on acreage sized parcels versus the smaller lakefront sites found on many of the lakes in the area.

Owning a home or cottage on this Michigan lake should prove to be a good investment as well as providing enjoyment during all four of Michigan’s seasons.

The Little Muskegon River has it’s headwaters in Mecosta County and winds it’s way through three Michigan counties. The river begins as a shallow stream and increases in width and depth as it flows thru Montcalm County and then into Newaygo County, where it becomes a tributary of the Muskegon River at the Croton Dam.

Much of the Little Muskegon’s riverfront is natural, it’s riverbanks lined with a variety of oak, pine, ash and elm. Michigan deer, as well as a wide range of other wildlife and waterfowl, make their home here, enjoying life in their natural habitat.  Fisherman report catches of small mouth bass, walleye and perch.

Due to the brush, low hanging limbs and the trees that have fallen into the river, as well as the seasonal water levels, canoeing is only possible in the lower third of the river.

As with much of the waterfront on Michigan’s lakes and rivers, much of the property along the river is privately owned. Please respect the rights of property owners by not trespassing.

Newaygo County is home to Hess Lake, a very popular West Michigan lake. Hess Lake is conveniently located 1 mile East of M 37 and 1 mile South of Newaygo. This all sports lake consists of 755 acres of surface waters with reported depths of up to 28 feet.

The lake is home to a nice mix of year round homes and seasonal cottages. Hess Lake has a Lake Property Owners Association . At the time of this post they are again considering the construction of a community sewer system. There are committed people on both sides of this issue. We have seen how this important decision has changed other lakes in Michigan.

On the northwest corner of Hess Lake and 88^th, The Michigan DNR maintains a public access site.  There is plenty of parking, vault toilets and a hard surface boat launch.

One of my favorite places for lunch in Newaygo County is Smuggler’s Inn. Smuggler’s Inn is a lakefront restaurant that offers good home cooking and daily specials.  It is a relaxing way to enjoy a great meal while taking in the beautiful lake views. This is a very popular place, so if you are looking for a quiet, leisurely meal with no wait, you may want to arrive during the off hours.

One of the advantages to traveling north in the early morning hours is that you just may be treated to a glorious sunrise over one of the many lakes.  This particular morning, I was on my way to an early appointment and since I have been working improving my sunrise picture taking skills, I just couldn’t resist stopping and trying to capture this one.

Mystery Lake is located in Bridgeton Township, near the corner of 112th and Fitzgerald. The lake is nestled in eastern Newaygo County, almost up to the Muskegon County line.

Mystery Lake is a small,  private Michigan Lake with no public access.  

Being less than 20 acres of surface water, neighbors tell us that this sand bottom lake has endless fishing.

Mystery Lake is one of those Michigan lakes that very little is known about . Maybe that is why it is called Mystery Lake.

Recently I found a new blog that caught  my interest.  Naturally Newaygo is a site that promotes tourism in the Newaygo area. I love the articles and the photos on their site. Brent Vanderstelt and team have done a wonderful job making this an interesting and attractive site.

For me, the Muskegon River is the starting line where I know I am getting close to being “Up North”.  When I am up north, the trees seem greener, the air seems fresher and the birds sing just a little louder.

And, as you can see from the sign, Newaygo is not that far!

I can’t believe it.

Today is the first day of fall. Where does time go?

It seems just like yesterday I was out admiring the daffodils and hyacinths, the first flowers that bloomed in our garden this spring.  And now I am seeing signs of fall colors in some of the trees.

 I took this picture last fall overlooking the Muskegon River valley. It remains one of my favorites.

Livery: Webster’s online dictionary defines livery as: a concern offering vehicles (as boats) for rent.” One interesting livery is located on Water Street, just off M37 in downtown Newaygo.

At a recent visit by Waterland Living to Wisner’s Canoes on the Mighty Muskegon,  we discovered that this family business of 39 nine years had humble beginnings as a pickle shack. Today we consider it to be one of Newaygo County’s coolest places.

When you approach the livery, you are greeted by a kaleidoscope of colors everywhere you look.   Colorful inner tubes are on the roof, mountains of yellow tubes on the side of the building, trailers of brightly colored kayaks and yes, the canoes. Racks and racks of red and blue life jackets add to the festive atmosphere. Buses painted in bright colors are waiting to make their next run.  We are sure all the school buses in Newaygo County hope this is where they get to go when they retire!  All the colors and different shapes and lines are a photographers delight.

Upon entering the office, we were quickly and warmly welcomed by Rachel, a member of the Wisner family.  It was evident to us that Rachel loves watching people from all areas and walks of life enjoying their trip down the river. “I just love my work”, Rachel told us. She really did not have to tell us that, it was very evident.  Her enthusiasm is contagious and by the time we left we were wishing we had a job just like hers!  Everyone at Wisner’s  wants you to have a wonderful trip down the river.

You have several options to chose from to travel down the river; canoes, kayaks, rafts, tubes or fishing boats.  You also have a choice of a 2 hour or 4 hour trip. They will bring you up river and you can drift down. And, they assure me that no one has ever been lost.

As large blocks of the Muskegon River shoreline below the Croton Dam are undeveloped, there is plenty to see and enjoy as you make your way down the river. Fishing in the spring and fall is very popular and colors along the riverfront are spectacular in October.

Wisner’s is open 12 months of the year. I am not sure it is for me, but for those of you that love our Michigan winters, a trip down the river in late December or January might be just what you are looking for. 

Special attention is given to small groups, church groups and families, so be sure to give Wisner’s a call when planning your next event.

Having loved the Muskegon River area for many years, and also as property owners, we have three requests for you as you float down the river: Please do not leave your trash in the river or on the shoreline,  canoe wisely and have fun!

Check them out on the Web!

I Love the Croton Pond.

Croton Pond is hardly a pond. Webster defines a pond as “a body of water usually smaller than a lake”.  Webster also defines a pond as “an artificially confined body of water”.  The body of water behind a dam is termed a pond, but many would consider it a lake. Croton Pond is actually the backwaters of the historic Croton Dam, where the Little Muskegon flows into the mighty Muskegon River

Croton Dam was built in 1907, down river from the nearby Hardy Dam built in 1931. Hardy Dam, another Michigan Historical site, is one of the largest earthen dams in the United States.

Along the miles and miles of waterfront, you will see many seasonal homes as well as many year round homes. You can find everything from a forty year old mobile home to high end year round home, all enjoying the Muskegon River frontage. Many good values can be found on the pond. It is easy to get to , just a few miles off exit # 118 on US 131.

The 1300 plus acres of surface water provides opportunities from fishing to jet skis, pontoons to swimming.  There is truly something for everyone. Fishermen report salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye, bass, perch and other pan fish to be plentiful in this body of water.

Croton is a small resort community and is home to a number of retirees as well as waterfront homeowners, both seasonal and year round.  Croton is home to a bank, grocery, a number of resorts and mom and pop restaurants. The best restaurant, in our opinion, is the Red Anchor Inn right on Croton Drive. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, the meals are never disappointing.  Be sure to ask about the special of the day!

Above the dam on the west side, you can find a boat launch, parking, restrooms and a boat dock maintained by Consumers Power.

Below the dam, the cold water released by the dam is ideal for and is a favorite strathe of water for fishermen.

Access to the Muskegon below the dam is the Croton Dam Township Park and boat launch.

In the past I have written about some of the properties owned by Consumers Power Company and I have often been critical of the upkeep of their grounds. Not so for the Rogers Dam, Hardy Dam and the Croton Dam along the Muskegon River all operated by Consumers Power. I have found that these properties are attractive and well maintained.