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 rains from last week have now given way to near record high temperatures. Not only do we have this heat wave of 2006, but record rains have caused flooding all over. I took note of the water depth with my paddle at a place near Little Bower Lake and measured the difference in water level between one year ago and today. The water is 32" higher. The channels are wider. Trees are growing out of water instead of out of soil and the shores of these waterways are not as well-defined as they normally are.
Let's continue where the downpour last week forced me to turn back: at the entry to Long Lake.
Long Lake (the one in Stueben County, Indiana, just south on Angola) is developed only on the north shore. House after house, with docks, and pontoon boats, and quaint waterside decorations of birds, flags, chairs and ropes appear only on the one shore. The opposite shore is all forest, with grass and farmland behind the tree line. Both shores are easy on the eyes and you'll see plenty of herons all along the way.
At the far end of Long Lake is a fabulous natural rest area at the mouth of the channel leading to the east. Normally it is a sandy area in the shallows with a few trees and plenty of thistle to attract the butterflies but as of this writing it's mosly under water. During high water you might pull off to the right, instead, where you'll see a natural gravel & sand launch ramp just perfect for canoes and kayaks. This ramp appears at the back end of the community park in downtown Pleasant Lake, Indiana, on County Road 150 West. There are no signs inviting you to do so; however, there's a large parking area very near the water and it's an easy (65-foot?) walk to where you could put your self-propelled boat into the water.
The launch (or rest stop) is shown below with an InfraRed conversion and sepia color.
After a rest by the park, I continued up the channel where there seemed to be more current than in all the other channels at this particular chain. After paddling a hundred yards, I saw what I didn't expect at all. You'll have to see this area for yourself to decide what to do.
"Revisitability" is high at this site just because it'll always be different from the last time you visited. Deep forest is prevalent in the channels, so take bug spray if the weather is mosquito-friendly. Watch for Green Herons, too, while you're here. They've got a 14-inch neck they use for fishing that they somehow tuck away when just hanging out.
My personal preference is for lower temperature, lower humidity, and lower water level than we had this week, but this is still a fabulous place to visit.
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, go another 1/2-mile south on Golden Lake Road and use the DNR ramp at Golden Lake, on your right, instead.
