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Big Lake Home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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COTTAGE RENTAL

eMail:   biglake@biglakeoutdoors.com

Located just upstream from the famous Berrien Springs Dam

Available to customers of other guide services

and parties hunting and fishing on their own.

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DON'T DO IT:  Any hint of an illegal substance in the cottage will result in a visit from the sheriff and, if found, the immediate termination of your stay and forfeiture of monies paid.

NOTICE:  You do NOT have to be using one of Big Lake Outdoors' hunting or fishing services to make use of this cottage.  You're welcome to stay here whether you are coming to fish on your own from shore, in your own boat, or if you intend to make use of one of the many river or Lake Michigan charters.

Call 2 6 9 - 8 4 5 - 2 3 5 4 with any questions.

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FULL-SERVICE LODGING

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Kids age 6 - 12 stay for HALF PRICE!!

Kids under age 6 STAY FREE!!

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WHAT YOU GET

  • All food provided per YOUR menu selections (when you book your date)

  • You can cook for yourselves or we'll come cook for you

  • Parking room for your vehicle and boat

  • Fully furnished cottage with 2 full baths

  • All bedding and linens provided

  • 2 bedrooms downstairs

  • 2 bedrooms upstairs (these have an extra wing for additional sleepers)

  • Fully stocked kitchen, fridge, and pantry

  • All cooking and dining utensils provided

  • Outdoor, screened-in porch

  • Outdoor grilling area

  • Cable TV

  • Chest freezer for your catch

  • 2-mile drive to boat launch and wade fishing areas

  • Shoreline fishing on-site

  • Fishing guide available at your request (additional charges apply)

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WHERE & WHAT YOU CAN HUNT - UNGUIDED

While staying at out cottage, you can hunt public land, properties for which you've already obtained permission, or on our limited properties available for unguided hunts.  Types of game you can expect to take are ducks, geese, turkey, and white-tail deer.  Small game is also abundant.

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WHERE YOU CAN FISH - UNGUIDED

If you have your own boat, you'll be able to fish four separate stretches of river, depending on where the run is when you get here.  The launches for each stretch are all fairly close (see map thumbnails):

Open Water (Lake Michigan proper)
Drive to nearest launch  --------  About 20 minutes
 
Lower River (Lake Michigan to Berrien Springs)
Drive to launch  -------------------  About 3 minutes
 
Middle River (Berrien Springs to Buchanan)
Drive to launch  -------------------  Less than 10 minutes
 
Upper River (Buchanan to Niles)
Drive to launch  -------------------  About 15 minutes
 
Indiana Stretch (Niles to South Bend)
Drive to launch  -------------------  About 15 minutes

If you plan on wading, you'll be restricted to public fishing areas but don't let that bother you.  You'll catch fish.  We can direct you to public fishing areas on all stretches of river and Lake Michigan.  Your shortest drive will be less than 3 minutes.  Your longest, about 20 minutes (there is one longer possibility, but it's unlikely we'll send you there).

You are also welcome to fish the river from cottage property during your stay but the location is mostly a backwater better suited for panfish and swimming.

Cottage_Map_-_SJV.jpg (164587 bytes) . Cottage_Map_-_DAM.JPG (85033 bytes)
FISHING LANDMARKS: . FISHING LANDMARKS:
Indiana to Lake Michigan Berrien Springs Dam area

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WHAT YOU CAN CATCH

Depending on the time of year, you can catch nice limits of any of the following species (to catch smallmouth and pike, you'll pretty much need a boat):

  • Brown Trout
  • Chinook Salmon
  • Coho Salmon
  • Pike
  • Skamania Trout
  • Smelt
  • Smallmouth Bass
  • Steelhead Trout
  • Walleye
  • Yellow Perch

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GENERAL FISHING CALENDAR.

JANUARY, FEBRUARY, MARCH
FREE FISHING WEEKEND (no license needed) - FEB 16 & 17
You'll be fishing one of the hottest steelhead sites in the country:  the Berrien Springs Dam on the St. Joseph River in southwestern Michigan about 11 miles upstream from the river's mouth (for the uninitiated, "steelhead" = rainbow trout).  Here in southwestern Michigan, 5 - 10 lb rainbow trout are common with some steelhead getting upwards of 20 lbs and more.  Walleye can be had until March 15.
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APRIL, MAY, JUNE
FREE FISHING WEEKEND (no license needed) - JUN 7 & 8
We'll likely be driving up to fish Lake Michigan for brown trout, steelhead, and/or coho and chinook salmon.  We may find some decent fishing in the river from time to time, in which case we'll stay close to the cottage and fish the dam.  We'll also see walleye fishing start up at the end of April.
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JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER

Summer-run steelhead (skamania), perch, and chinook will be our main catch.  July will likely see us at the dam, but August and September are generally at the Lake.

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OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER

Expect to fish the dam for steelhead and maybe chinook.  Walleye might also provide some good angling.

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BOOKING A DATE

You don't necessarily have to pick your dates now.  There are certain times that are historically good, but this can change from year to year due to weather and water conditions.  If you want to take your chances and book a weekend well in advance, we'll put you down.  You also have the option to watch the fishing reports on our web site (updated every Thursday) and call when you see the fishing is hot.  The problem with this approach is that you may not be the first to request that date.  But we'll leave the booking of your selected dates up to you.

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EQUIPMENT, GEAR, & CLOTHING

If you're bringing your own boat, bring your usual fishing gear and safety equipment.  Make sure your tackle can handle a 20-lb fish (or more) with an attitude.  12-lb test is a popular line in these parts.

If you'll be wading, you can get away with shorts and sneakers in the summer but you'll want WARM waders for any winter steelheading.  We'll be happy to give you some pointers on the local techniques and we have guides available if you want one (additional charges apply).

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OPTIONAL STEWARD SERVICE

Weekend visitors will also have the option to make use of our 'tip-only' steward service.  Your steward will be at your beck and call after you return from your day on the river.  He'll fetch snacks, beverages, hang your wet clothes, or run out to your vehicle to get something you forgot.  The steward will only be on-site if you specifically request his services and other than any gratuity you may wish to provide (he works for tips only), there are no additional charges for this service.

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PICTURES

lodge view 01.jpg (57528 bytes) lodge view 02.jpg (63279 bytes) lodge view 03.jpg (47077 bytes)

ON-SITE FISHING AREA - This is Lake Chapin, looking downstream (north) to the Berrien Springs Dam.  That's the dam in the distance at center.

ON-SITE FISHING AREA - Another view of the on-site shoreline fishing area available to visitors.  You'll catch anything from bluegill to trout and salmon.

ON-SITE FISHING AREA - Looking upstream (west) on the St. Joseph River.  This fishing site is a short walk (about 200 yards) from the cottage.  You can also drive to within about 100 yards.

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LIVING ROOM - Will have couch, love seat, and recliner by the time you show up for your visit.

KITCHEN & DINING ROOM - This full kitchen is at your disposal even when we're not there cooking for you.  The dining table you see will be stored for larger parties and  is being replaced by a table large enough to seat 10.

SCREENED PORCH - When the weather cooperates, you can enjoy insect-free relaxation, and even meals, on this porch at the back of the house.

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DOWNSTAIRS BEDROOM - One of two bedrooms.  Each bedroom has a closet and dresser.

UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - One of two.  Notice the L-wing at left where another bed or bunk bed can be added for larger parties.  Both bedrooms have this feature.

UPSTAIRS BEDROOM - Second bedroom.  Shows bunk beds available in all bedrooms if necessary to accommodate your entire larger party.

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DOWNSTAIRS BATH - Full bath. 

UPSTAIRS BATH - Full bath. 

BASEMENT - Pending improvements include making this into the 'game room' with pool table, darts, TV, bar, and working fireplace.  Naturally, furniture (couch, recliner, barstools, card table) will also be added.

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Call  2 6 9 - 8 4 5 - 2 3 5 4  with any questions.

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