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 Story Lake in Steuben County, Indiana:
I wouldn't pack up the family and bring them here for a day of outdoor fun (for that, you'd go to Chain O'Lakes State Park, about 45 minutes southwest of Story Lake), but if you're in the neighborhood with a kayak on your car top, you might want to stop by. I looked at this place three times before deciding to take a ride on it and I'm glad I finally did.
Directly across from the ramp is a narrow channel you can't see from the ramp.
It leads to a longer lake which I'll explore later on a better day. Both of these lakes are populated, but on one side only. I don't know yet about the longer lake, but Story Lake has permanently seated mobile homes all along exactly one half of the lake. The other side of the lake is undeveloped. Trees line the shore and there's probably farm land beyond, but that can't be seen from the water.
Meanwhile, this place has the usual inhabitants. Swans, Canada Geese, a Great Blue Heron or two. I found the place quite serene. A lawnmower started up while I was there, but mostly I heard chipmunks, crickets, woodpeckers and songbirds. In the summer you'd hear pontoon boats motoring about, but that's okay. This place is peaceful - I suspect it is so even in July, except maybe on the 4th.
Given the one populated side and the one wilderness side, there's plenty to look at here. Two dogs near the boat ramp bark a bit but should pose no problem to you. If you pass by a couple of times without a threat, they won't say anything.
Story Lake is small; maybe 50 acres or so. It's populated with summer homes and trailer-looking things. These are not usually my favorite features; still, on this foul and overcast day I decided I will bother to come here again. I have that second lake to explore and two small islands to explore further.
A DNR sign for Story Lake will appear on your right after a mile or so.
