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Klinger Lake Association News & Information
A 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
P.O. Box 176, White Pigeon, MI 49099
Board of Directors - 2021 Annual Meeting
A special message from Mike Needham, President of the Klinger Lake Association
Recently, I’ve received some inquiries from KLA members regarding use of the lake. There’s nothing new here: just a reminder of a few basics about Michigan ‘riparian’ laws. (In Michigan, inland lakefront property ownership conveys ‘riparian’ rights, just like owners of waterfront property on rivers and streams. Owners of waterfront property on the Great Lakes have different rules.) If you’re really interested, a great resource is located at https://mymlsa.org/government-and-legal-issues/riparian-rights-in-michigan/.
In brief, if you own lakefront property on Klinger Lake, you own a triangular piece of the ‘bottomlands’ (the surface under the water). The three corners of the triangle are: the ends of your property lines where they meet the edge of the water and a theoretical point at the center of the lake. As a riparian, you are allowed to install a dock anchored to your bottomland (among other rights). The law holds that there are limits to the length of dock / placement of swim rafts / etc. Subject to a few limitations, anyone may temporarily anchor/moor their vessel on your bottomland. (The key word is temporarily.) This means, for example, that a fisherman is allowed to anchor temporarily directly in front of your dock to fish. He/she may not anchor/moor their boat overnight. Likewise, a family on a pontoon boat can legally temporarily anchor on your bottomland and play in the lake. They may not keep their boat there overnight.
All these examples are subject to ‘common sense’ limitations (if that still exists!). For example, while would be legal for a group of revelers to anchor adjacent to my dock and play loud music, it wouldn’t be courteous. Likewise, it would be legal for me to play loud music anytime a fisherman is trying to catch bass under my dock, but it wouldn’t be courteous.
Klinger Lake is a large body of water with many excellent areas for fishing, boating and playing in shallow sandy areas. There’s almost nowhere along the shoreline that supports all three activities. Applying common courtesy we should be able to share this beautiful place.
In brief, if you own lakefront property on Klinger Lake, you own a triangular piece of the ‘bottomlands’ (the surface under the water). The three corners of the triangle are: the ends of your property lines where they meet the edge of the water and a theoretical point at the center of the lake. As a riparian, you are allowed to install a dock anchored to your bottomland (among other rights). The law holds that there are limits to the length of dock / placement of swim rafts / etc. Subject to a few limitations, anyone may temporarily anchor/moor their vessel on your bottomland. (The key word is temporarily.) This means, for example, that a fisherman is allowed to anchor temporarily directly in front of your dock to fish. He/she may not anchor/moor their boat overnight. Likewise, a family on a pontoon boat can legally temporarily anchor on your bottomland and play in the lake. They may not keep their boat there overnight.
All these examples are subject to ‘common sense’ limitations (if that still exists!). For example, while would be legal for a group of revelers to anchor adjacent to my dock and play loud music, it wouldn’t be courteous. Likewise, it would be legal for me to play loud music anytime a fisherman is trying to catch bass under my dock, but it wouldn’t be courteous.
Klinger Lake is a large body of water with many excellent areas for fishing, boating and playing in shallow sandy areas. There’s almost nowhere along the shoreline that supports all three activities. Applying common courtesy we should be able to share this beautiful place.
Keep Klinger Lake Clean – No Yard Waste – No Trash – No Phosphorus Fertilizer
- Welcome to the Klinger Lake Association website -- This is the place to get the latest news about Klinger Lake. We invite you to "Like" us on Facebook using the link at the top of this page.
- The 2022 Fireworks Show and Boat Parade were held on July 2nd. We hope you enjoyed this year's fireworks. Thanks to all of our volunteers and donors who made it possible! Have a look at the 2022 Boat Parade pictures.
- The 2023 Fireworks Celebration will be held on Monday, July 3rd, with a rain date of Tuesday, July 4th.
- The Annual Meeting of the Klinger Lake Association was held on Saturday, June 25th at 10 am at the Klinger Lake Country Club.
- The KLA held an Aquatic Invasive Species Blitz and Boat Wash at the DNR Public Launch on Sunday, July 10th from 10 am to 1:30 pm sponsored by Michigan State University Extension and led by Andy Rieth.
- Read the latest Letter From the President of the Klinger Lake Association.
- Read the latest available minutes of the KLA Board of Directors on the Meeting Minutes page.
- The 2022 KLA Newsletter is now available to read online, or you can download a PDF copy.
- Visit the White Pigeon Township website for information on meetings and other matters. Here is the page for information on Township Board Meetings.
- Visit the Lake News page for information on upcoming road work in the lake area.
- We have retired the Lost and Found section of our website. Please post these items on social media where they can be seen and responded to more quickly and efficiently.
- Concerned about weeds floating onto your beach? KLA water quality expert Mike Needham has done some research about it and shares his findings in this online article (with pictures of the two most common weeds that are showing up).
- When you need something, please support our Directory Advertisers! They help pay the cost of publishing the Directory as well as the various services we provide. You can view their listings online. Please use the Klinger Lake Directory to find a business or service that you are looking for. Please tell them you saw their listing in the printed Directory or on our web site!
- Do your part to help keep Klinger clean! Visit the Lake Environment Page for some important tips.
- Don't be a victim! Keep buildings and vehicles locked at all times. Do not leave valuable items in your vehicle where they can be seen. If you see possible criminal activity, please call the Sheriff's Office Central Dispatch at 269-467-4195. If you see something, say something.
- Launching your boat at Klinger Lake? Please watch this YouTube video to learn how to help prevent the spread of invasive plants. Also, please remember that power loading is not allowed.
- Meet your friends on Facebook! The "Klinger Lake" group is for everyone, and "I Miss Klinger Lake b/c it's the most chill place there is", is especially for young adults. If you have problems joining a group, use our contact form to send us a message so we can help you. There is also a Facebook page for the Klinger Lake Association which we encourage you to "Like" if you want to receive updates from us.
Report emergencies, including significant chemical and oil spills, to the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department by calling 911. You can also reach them at (269) 467-9045. The office is open 24/7. The non-emergency number is (269) 467-4195.
The Klinger Lake Association is a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of residents and friends of Klinger Lake.
The Mission of the Klinger Lake Association is to preserve, protect and improve Klinger Lake and surrounding property, and to keep all members informed of activities and conditions affecting the welfare of the area. Find out more about us.
PLEASE JOIN THE KLINGER LAKE ASSOCIATION TODAY!
The Klinger Lake Association is a voluntary 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization made up of residents and friends of Klinger Lake.
The Mission of the Klinger Lake Association is to preserve, protect and improve Klinger Lake and surrounding property, and to keep all members informed of activities and conditions affecting the welfare of the area. Find out more about us.
PLEASE JOIN THE KLINGER LAKE ASSOCIATION TODAY!