Klinger Lake News
Also see our Klinger Lake Activities page!
A message from the Klinger Lake Fireworks Committee
We hope you enjoyed the 2022 fireworks celebration. Thanks to all of the volunteers who helped out!
The 2023 Fireworks Show and Boat Parade will be held on Monday, July 3rd, 2023. The rain date will be July 4th.
The 2023 Fireworks Show and Boat Parade will be held on Monday, July 3rd, 2023. The rain date will be July 4th.
General News
Please be especially careful to avoid contaminating the lake with foreign objects or liquids of any kind. Please do your part to Keep Klinger Clean!
Road Work
Here is an update on completed and planned road work in the Klinger Lake area:
2023 - Blanchard St, State, Oak, Wallowa/TBD, Tillamook/TBD, Dowagiac/TBD.
2022 - Michigan DNR has advised the KLA of their plans to pave the Klinger Lake boat ramp and parking lot. They will also pave as much of the access road from Crooked Creek to the parking lot as time, materials and budget will permit. There is no definitive date on the initiation of this project.
The White Pigeon Township Board passed a resolution to put the Road Millage renewal on the November ballot. This would renew the current 0.75 mill we already pay; no increase. This is something we should all vote yes for, as we have all gotten new roads from it, and were at the front of the line basically, with many other roads in the township still needing work.
Kalamazoo to State Line, IN., Lake Rd/East, Lake Rd/West, Oakwood Plat/TBD - Private Special Assessment.
2021 - Hillandale, Tomahawk Tr., Arrowhead Circle, Bison Tr., Maiden Lane, Lina - seal coat, Mustang, Chief Court, API Gravel Rd/North - seal coat, API Gravel, South - asphalt, Burkhardt Subdivision - Private Special Assessment.
2020 - Saunders, Edgewater Beach, Benham Beach - seal coat, Everson - seal coat, Indian Prairie/West, Dickinson/East - seal coat, Mathers Rd - Private Special Assessed.
2019 - Hill St., Hill St - Private Special Assessed, Klinger Lake Rd, Spring St, Jackson St, North Shore.
Burglaries and Break-Ins
A number of lake residents have been victimized in previous years. Both private and commercial buildings and vehicles have been broken into. Here are some important tips to help avoid trouble:
Fishing Tournaments / DNR
You can find information on Fishing Tournaments from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on their website at the following address: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/fishingtournaments/
Storms
Severe weather is always a possibility at the lake, as elsewhere. Conditions can change quickly, so keep an eye on the sky when you are outdoors and get off the water when you see a storm coming. Don't leave chairs on your dock or near the shore when storms are predicted unless they are well secured. Items often go missing after a storm, and some are not recovered. You can prevent loss by putting things away when bad weather is forecast.
White Pigeon Township
Visit the White Pigeon Township web site for information on meetings and other matters. Here is the page for information on Township Board Meetings.
Water Safety / Marine Patrol / DNR
Boater Safety Classes
Anyone holding an out-of-state ‘online’ boating certificate approved by NASBLA can opt out of the classroom portion of the requirement, but must still pass the written test in order to have a valid boater certificate in Michigan.
For the past several seasons, the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office has conducted Boater Safety Classes for all who are 12 years old and older. If you would like to attend one of the classes, please contact the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office at (269) 467-9045 ext. 221 to find out when the classes are scheduled. When you call please have your child's name, date of birth, address, age and contact phone number ready. On the day of the class, the students will need to bring a sack lunch and a #2 pencil. Watch this space in the Spring for more updated information.
Boat Inspections
There are no scheduled boat inspections for this year as had been done in previous years. However, you can ask one of the Marine Patrol Officers to do an inspection when you see them on the lake and they will accommodate your request if they are able to do so at that time.
Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite and Captain Jason Bingaman will be working with the Klinger Lake Association to help make this a happy and safe boating season. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department can be contacted at (269) 467-9045. The office is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
Highlights of Michigan Water Safety Regulations can be seen on the last two pages of your directory and also here on our web site. You can also go online at www.michigan.org to check out all relevant regulations.
Road Work
Here is an update on completed and planned road work in the Klinger Lake area:
2023 - Blanchard St, State, Oak, Wallowa/TBD, Tillamook/TBD, Dowagiac/TBD.
2022 - Michigan DNR has advised the KLA of their plans to pave the Klinger Lake boat ramp and parking lot. They will also pave as much of the access road from Crooked Creek to the parking lot as time, materials and budget will permit. There is no definitive date on the initiation of this project.
The White Pigeon Township Board passed a resolution to put the Road Millage renewal on the November ballot. This would renew the current 0.75 mill we already pay; no increase. This is something we should all vote yes for, as we have all gotten new roads from it, and were at the front of the line basically, with many other roads in the township still needing work.
Kalamazoo to State Line, IN., Lake Rd/East, Lake Rd/West, Oakwood Plat/TBD - Private Special Assessment.
2021 - Hillandale, Tomahawk Tr., Arrowhead Circle, Bison Tr., Maiden Lane, Lina - seal coat, Mustang, Chief Court, API Gravel Rd/North - seal coat, API Gravel, South - asphalt, Burkhardt Subdivision - Private Special Assessment.
2020 - Saunders, Edgewater Beach, Benham Beach - seal coat, Everson - seal coat, Indian Prairie/West, Dickinson/East - seal coat, Mathers Rd - Private Special Assessed.
2019 - Hill St., Hill St - Private Special Assessed, Klinger Lake Rd, Spring St, Jackson St, North Shore.
Burglaries and Break-Ins
A number of lake residents have been victimized in previous years. Both private and commercial buildings and vehicles have been broken into. Here are some important tips to help avoid trouble:
- If you own a GPS or cell phone, lock it up out of sight along with its charger when not in use. Keep in mind that the cost of damage done to your vehicle during a break-in could far exceed the cost of a new GPS unit.
- Do not leave your home, car, garage, or shed unlocked. Thieves are becoming bolder and will come in even during the daytime while you are out on your boat.
- If possible, do not leave portable fuel containers in your boat or on your dock. We've learned that even these relatively inexpensive items have been taken when the opportunity presents itself.
- Be an observant neighbor. Report suspicious activity to the police. Do not attempt to intervene on your own-- you could be hurt.
- Be especially vigilant during holiday periods!
Fishing Tournaments / DNR
You can find information on Fishing Tournaments from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on their website at the following address: https://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/fishingtournaments/
Storms
Severe weather is always a possibility at the lake, as elsewhere. Conditions can change quickly, so keep an eye on the sky when you are outdoors and get off the water when you see a storm coming. Don't leave chairs on your dock or near the shore when storms are predicted unless they are well secured. Items often go missing after a storm, and some are not recovered. You can prevent loss by putting things away when bad weather is forecast.
White Pigeon Township
Visit the White Pigeon Township web site for information on meetings and other matters. Here is the page for information on Township Board Meetings.
Water Safety / Marine Patrol / DNR
Boater Safety Classes
Anyone holding an out-of-state ‘online’ boating certificate approved by NASBLA can opt out of the classroom portion of the requirement, but must still pass the written test in order to have a valid boater certificate in Michigan.
For the past several seasons, the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office has conducted Boater Safety Classes for all who are 12 years old and older. If you would like to attend one of the classes, please contact the St. Joseph County Sheriff's Office at (269) 467-9045 ext. 221 to find out when the classes are scheduled. When you call please have your child's name, date of birth, address, age and contact phone number ready. On the day of the class, the students will need to bring a sack lunch and a #2 pencil. Watch this space in the Spring for more updated information.
Boat Inspections
There are no scheduled boat inspections for this year as had been done in previous years. However, you can ask one of the Marine Patrol Officers to do an inspection when you see them on the lake and they will accommodate your request if they are able to do so at that time.
Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite and Captain Jason Bingaman will be working with the Klinger Lake Association to help make this a happy and safe boating season. The St. Joseph County Sheriff's Department can be contacted at (269) 467-9045. The office is open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week.
Highlights of Michigan Water Safety Regulations can be seen on the last two pages of your directory and also here on our web site. You can also go online at www.michigan.org to check out all relevant regulations.