This trip report is for canoers and kayakers that want to see where they're going before they go. Please visit Kohne Camera & Photo while on your way. We're a full service imaging lab and camera dealer operated entirely by photo enthusiasts ready to attend every photographic need you have.
Now, a paddling report from Allens Lake in Lenawee County, Michigan:
It's one of a chain of lakes including Wolf, Allens, Meadow, Kelly and Killarney. All the property surrounding these lakes is privately owned so you'll have a difficult time finding a suitable place to pull over if you need to stretch your legs; however, the water is pretty clear down to four of five feet and it's shallow near the shores so you might be able to create your own rest stop if a natural one doesn't exist.
The only public access is at Allens Lake. It features well-marked, easy access from the road, plenty of parking, concrete boat ramp, dock, and a local sunbather.
Wolf Lake is very densely populated and has more sports craft on it so you might want to go the other way (to the left) instead. From Allens Lake to the far side of Killarney Lake can be paddled very leisurely in about 2 1/2 hours since they'll all pretty small and the channels are short, but if you were in a hurry you could probably do it in half that time.
The channels connecting these lakes are all lined with tall grasses (or houses) and one of them is quite cozy and twisty, narrowing to about 7-8 feet in some places.
I saw small fish in the waters but not a single fisherman in the four lakes I travelled. This area attracts pontoon boats and lots of them. Wild animals and birds must hang out somewhere else.
This site is worth a visit but the shores are mostly grassy. Between the grasses and the private properties, you're more or less stuck in your boat for most of your explorations.
Location: A few miles west of the entrance to Hayes State Park on Route 12. Between the park and Allens Lake, you can hop on Michigan Route 50 east for ten miles or so and visit Hidden Lake Gardens to see a well-manicured 800-acre collection of familiar and exotic trees, shrubs and flowers.
