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 Big Bower Lake in Steuben County, Indiana:
The chain includes Hogback Lake, Golden Lake, Big Bower Lake, Little Bower Lake and Long Lake. All of the lakes are connected by easily navigable channels and you may even continue after Long Lake to places unknown on the Pigeon River, but only if and when the water level is high enough to paddle.
My favorite part of the area, and therefore my recommended site for you to visit with your canoe or kayak, begins at the ramp at Big Bower Lake on Golden Lake Road, just west of Angola, Indiana.
Head to the far side of the lake opposite the boat ramp to enter the channel toward Little Bower Lake
(alternatively, paddle to the right from the boat ramp to go to Golden Lake and continue downstream to Hogback Lake and points beyond).
Houses line the west shore of Big Bower, and that's just part of the beauty of this place. If you have any trouble, there are people around to help. At least, for now. Soon you'll be plenty alone. The east shore is all wild and you'll see a heron or two and maybe a whole flock of turkey buzzards hanging out over there, depending upon which time of year you visit. Once you enter the channel, it's all wilderness. The properties along the way are privately owned and there is no camping here, but it's wild.
The first channel is pretty dark, especially when overcast skies are above.
There are sunny areas in this chain and shady areas, traffic noise and total silence, forests and meadows, grassy places and sandy places, shallows and deep areas, obstacles and natural debris. Throughout the whole waterway, there's always an easy place very nearby to land, get out, and stretch your legs. The bottom is natural sand and gravel here. Some mud, sure, but you can get out whenever you want, and I consider that to be a big plus.
The tributary to Mud Lake is off to the right when going upstream after Big Bower.
Five weeks ago, the entry to this channel was impassable. I took a tree saw today just in case. This paddle site changes every time I visit. The tree saw was not necessary. A clearing opened up, possibly owing to rains, storms and high water. A place where I used to have to portage has disappeared altogether. On the other hand, a wide open area is now clogged by a felled tree and there's only a 5-foot aisle around it.
I got close enough for this entry shot (to Mud Lake) but couldn't stand the mosquitos any further on, even with DEET. Mud Lake is fairly stagnant and doesn't seem to be fed by springs. I had to turn around. When the water is low, you'll be dragging your boat through this area. The rains of this year (2006) created high water every place I go. I don't know how this channel would behave in October of this year, but I'll try to find out.
Continuing up the main channel...
You won't see deer here much because of the hiding places they have; still, if you do see them, they'll likely be upstream of Little Bower Lake either before or after the one-lane bridge. Be quiet around that area and keep your eyes peeled.
The entry to Long Lake is very important if you have a camera with you. Great Blue Herons hang out at the entry. So do deer, and Green Herons. Take your pick, but be quiet when you get close to the entry. The entry is recognizable because there's light up ahead.
The rain at this point was slow and steady, but enough to keep me from going to the end of Long Lake and exploring more of the Pigeon River upstream.
There's a Boy Scout camp nearby, and the members clunked by in their aluminum canoes while I was hanging out at Little Bower Lake on the way back.
They had five canoes filled with two adults and many adolescent boys. Since I'm searching for wild animals with my camera, I decided to let them go by. At that time I paddled around Little Bower Lake (30 acres?) and gave them a head start downstream. Little Bower is undeveloped and there's no access except from the water.
The gentle drizzle soon turned into a rain. Then, a downpour. It was washing the DEET off my forehead and into my eyes, mixed with sweat.
My glasses were fogged and wet. So? What the heck? No thunder, no lightning, just a heavy downpour. I highly recommend this, but mind your camera gear. The I69 bridge will give shelter in a rain storm.
Due to the rains, this report is continued in Part II.
Location: Head on over to downtown Angola, Indiana however you want to get there, then head west on Route 20 out of town. Exactly 2.5 miles west of the town square in downtown Angola, Route 20 will intersect with an interchange on Interstate 69 (the exit to Route 20 / Angola). Less than a quarter mile west of the entrance/exit ramps is Golden Lake Road and it's very well marked. Turn south on Golden Lake Road.
Take Golden Lake Road southward. The driveway to the ramp at Big Bower Lake will be on your left, 2.5 miles from where you turned off of Route 20. It's a DNR site so you'll see the sign. If you prefer, or if there are no parking spaces availlable (yeah, right...that won't actually happen), then go another 1/2-mile south on Golden Lake Road and use the DNR ramp at Golden Lake, on your right, instead.
Put your boat in and have yourself a really nice time, rain or shine.
