Klinger Lake Directory 2026

Letter from the President

After a long winter with snow, cold and ice on the Lake we’re all looking forward to a great summer on the Lake!

As President of the Klinger Lake Association, I work with a very dedicated Board to fulfill our mission to preserve, protect and improve Klinger Lake. I’m constantly reminded of how fortunate we all are to be part of such a terrific lake community, many of us with deep familial roots that go back over 100 years and keeping Klinger safe and clean is our top priority.

Monitoring, and when necessary, reacting to changes in water quality, is one of the most important things for which the Board has responsibility. We continue to monitor the lake water for invasive species, excessive phosphorus and chlorophyll levels, and support the annual Clean Boats/Clean Waters event at the DNR Boat Launch. You play a part here too; please avoid using phosphorusheavy fertilizers for your lawns and gardens.

The prompt payment of your annual membership and fireworks contribution is appreciated. The $50 membership contribution has not changed. This year we are asking for a contribution of $100 or more for the fireworks in celebration of the United States 250th birthday. Online payments are preferred and there are no transaction fees when making payments online. Check out the KLA or Sturgis Area Community Foundation websites for more information.

In the meantime, here's a quick summary of important dates for your summer calendar:

• Annual Meeting - June 27th, 10:00 am at the Klinger Lake Country Club

• Annual Fourth of July Boat Parade – starts at 1:00 . . . line up in front of the Marina

• Fireworks – July 4th (rain date July 5th) at dusk – and we will again be marking the “fall out zone”; all watercraft and attendees must stay outside of the buoys circling the launch barge area.

• The 2026 Aquatic Invasive Species event and mobile boat wash is July 11th

Please take a moment to refresh your knowledge of Boating Safety Rules and Regulations, which we have summarized in this Directory. As of this printing, we have yet to receive confirmation that St Joseph County will be offering in-person Boater Safety Certification classes, so for the time being, the on-line courses are your only option.

And finally, please email us with any changes or corrections to your Directory listing using the Update Form at https://www.klingerlakeassociation.org/memberupdate-form.html.

Stay safe, have fun and thank you for your support of the KLA. See you around the lake.

John R Dresser President, Klinger Lake Association

Klinger Lake Association

Mission Statement

The

Cover photo by Karol Andree

Klinger Lake Association

2025-26 Officers

President ..................... John Dresser ............. 269-689-8527

Vice President & Secretary Barb Pancoast 269-625-7251

Treasurer..................... Kirby Baker .............. 269-483-6961

Board Members

Karol Andree .......... 248-310-8650 Rick Knoedler ........... 630-738-8893

Martha Cathcart ....... 216-312-3262 Mike Needham .......... 269-689-8527

Joe Davis ............. 708-828-2801 Edgar Reihl ............. 224-551-1005

Debbie Doe ........... 269-689-9466 Andy Rieth .............. 317-908-4767

Katie Kitchen 502-472-1978

Beach Representatives

Coordinator – Karol Andree 248-310-8650

Beach

.................. Erin Melchi-Baker ....... 269-651-6203

and Mineral Springs . Peg Davis ............... 269-659-0959 Mound Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cheryl Knoedler ......... 630-738-8893 North Shore ................ Beth Dickerson ......... 630-846-0814

Oakwood .................. Alison Moriarity ......... 269-651-5108

Oakwood .................. Katie Kitchen ........... 502-472-1978 Pine Bluff Barbara Pancoast 269-625-7251

Sandy Beach North .......... Paul Roe ............... 269-651-9478

Sandy Beach South .......... Julie Stutsman .......... 269-625-0494

Saunders Shores ............ Libby Hagberg .......... 269-651-5247

Sunnyside .................. Shelley Cartwright ...... 269-464-1010

Responsibilities

To accomplish the mission of the Klinger Lake Association, the elected members of the Board of Directors are responsible for the following activities:

Audit (Rieth, Knoedler, Kitchen)

Leads the annual review of the Association’s financial records by a team of qualified, non-officer Board members.

Beach Representatives & Membership (Andree, Kitchen)

Develop a group of Beach Representatives for each of the beaches around the Lake to: develop the Neighborhood Watch program in cooperation with the Sheriff's department; provide communication between the residents and the Klinger Lake Association Board of Directors; work to increase membership in the Association by encouraging all residents to join; and publish and distribute the Directory of Residents and Services to all Association members.

RESPONSIBILITIES (CONT.)

Communications (Reihl)

Maintain communication links between the Klinger Lake Association and the lake residents via Facebook and the KLA website, www.klingerlakeassociation.org

Fireworks (Davis)

Manage contract and contractors for the annual Klinger Lake Fireworks Show, including obtaining permits, coordinating Sheriff patrol and delineating the fall out zone to keep watercraft and residents at a safe distance from the launch barges.

History (Kitchen)

Maintain the Association’s historical records and manage the supply and sales of the historical items offered by the Association.

Law Enforcement Liaison (Rieth)

Interface with Sheriff’s Marine Patrol, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) as required. Keep up-to-date on rules and regulations for lake use and boating safety.

Local Government Liaison (Needham)

Maintain a relationship with White Pigeon Township government groups to assist in keeping the KLA board and KLA members informed about local government actions.

Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (Needham) Liaison with the statewide organization and participate in appropriate programs.

Real Estate (Doe)

Report on real estate activity in the Klinger Lake area.

Water Quality/Water Testing (Needham)

Monitor the water quality and chemical changes of the lake by having periodic samples analyzed. Work with the Michigan Lakes and Streams Association (MLSA) Cooperative Lake Monitoring Program (CLMP) to maintain long term records of water quality and clarity data. In cooperation with contractors, monitor the presence of invasive species and make recommendations for corrective actions. In 2024, initiatives commenced to expand water quality testing and manage Canada goose population; these initiatives are continuing for 2026.

Clean Boats/Clean Water (Rieth)

Initiates annual Clean Boats/Clean Water program at the DNR boat launch with support from Michigan State University volunteers. MSU volunteers bring portable boat washing equipment and important literature to support compliance with Michigan law designed to eliminate the transfer of invasive species between bodies of water.

Published for the Klinger Lake Association:

A Division of The Papers Incorporated

The information in this directory was gathered by the Klinger Lake Association. Please forward any corrections to communications@klingerlakeassociation.org

206 S. Main Street, Milford, Indiana 46542 800-733-4111 www.the-papers.com

SpectraPrint and/or The Papers Incorporated shall not be liable for any errors appearing in this publication, except to credit the advertiser the portion of the advertisement containing the error.

Index of Advertisers by category

Highlights of Michigan

(Highlights are provided for convenience. A complete listing of Michigan Boating Laws is available from the St Joseph County Sheriff or from www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/boating/rules-and-regs)

OPERATION OF VESSELS and AGE RESTRICTIONS – Boats

Persons less than 12 years of age:

• May operate a boat powered by a motor of no more than 6 horsepower (hp) legally without restrictions

• May operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 6 hp but no more than 35 hp legally only if they:

• Have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat and

• Are directly supervised on board by a person age 16 or older who holds a boater safety certificate

• May not legally operate a boat powered by a motor of more than 35 hp under any circumstances

Those born on or after July 1, 1996 may operate a boat legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and have it on board the boat.

Those born before July 1, 1996 may operate a boat legally without a boating safety certificate.

OPERATION OF VESSELS and AGE RESTRICTIONS –Personal Watercraft (“PWC” e . g . WaveRunners, SeaDoos)

Persons less than 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC

Those 14 and 15 years of age may legally operate a PWC only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate and:

• They are accompanied on board by his/her parent or legal guardian or by a person at least 21 years of age who has been designated by the parent or legal guardian, or

• They are operating or riding the PWC at a distance of not more than 100 feet from his or her parent or legal guardian or designee who is riding another PWC

Those at least 16 years of age and born after December 31, 1978 may operate a PWC legally only if they have been issued a boating safety certificate

Those born on or before December 31, 1978 may operate a PWC legally without a boating safety certificate

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE REQUIREMENTS (“PFD”)

All vessels — including canoes and kayaks — must be equipped with a PFD for each person on board or being towed. USGA approved type I, II, or III that are of the proper size must be readily available. If the vessel is less than 16 feet or is a canoe or kayak, you can choose either a wearable or throwable (type IV) type PFD. All children under the age of 6 must wear a PFD whenever the vessel is under motion. There will be no exceptions to this law per St. Joseph County Marine Patrol.

With the increased use of Stand-up Paddle Boards, please understand that a PFD is not required, but highly recommended.

Water Safety Regulations

OTHER BOATER SAFETY ADVICE

Be sure to check all your other safety devices — fire extinguishers, lights and horns — for correct operation after the winter. Fire extinguishers are required on most vessels. Make sure they are properly charged, are in working order, and readily available if you have need of one.

In Michigan, power-driven vessels are to travel in a counter-clockwise direction around the lake while maintaining safe distance from shore and other vessels.

Proper distance control is very important. When operating a vessel or being towed, the vessel or person being towed must be at least 100 feet from a shoreline, a moored or anchored vessel, a dock or a raft, and any person in the water, unless operating at no-wake speed. This includes maintaining proper distance from a sailboat.

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ‘WAKE BOATS’ WHEN OPERATING IN ‘WAKE MODE’

It is recommended to operate ‘wake boats’ in depths of 20’ (or more) and at least 500’ from shore to minimize wake impact. https://www.klingerlakeassociation.org/wake-boating.html

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

Although it is legal to have an open container on board, it is illegal to operate any vessel under the influence. Please operate safely.

HOURS OF WATERCRAFT OPERATION

Legal hours of operations vary based on the type of vessel. Personal watercraft can be legally operated only between 8am and sunset. Boats may not tow a skier, wakeboard, inflatable, or other contrivance between 1 hour after sunset until 1 hour before sunrise. Please be considerate of others.

CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY

A recent law requires all boaters to remove all drain plugs from bilges, ballast tanks and live wells every time a boat or watercraft is removed from the water for trailering. All water must be drained from these locations as well. Trailers, boats and conveyances must also be free of all aquatic organisms, including plants. Unused bait must be disposed of in a manner so as not to allow it back into a body of water. In the past, these items were a courtesy…now it’s THE LAW. This new law can be enforced by any law enforcement officer.

Photo by Patricia Harker Hagerdorn

Klinger

ST. JOSEPH WHITE PIGEON

AREA: 830 ACRES

BOTTOM: GRAVEL, MARL, SAND

Klinger Lake

JOSEPH COUNTY

PIGEON TOWNSHIP

Photo by John Nelson

Where good friends gather.

Seasonal lunch, dinner, and drink menus with live music scheduled all summer in a fun, casual atmosphere. Right in downtown Middlebury.

Klinger Lake Association (Volunteer Organization)

www.klingerlakeassociation.org

Manages contract for invasive weed controls

Manages annual fireworks display

Day-to-day operation of lake level control dam

White Pigeon Township

www.klingerlakeassociation.org

St Joseph County Sheriff's Marine Patrol

St Joseph County Government

White Pigeon Township

St Joseph County Sheriff's Marine Patrol

whitepigeontwp.com

www.stjosephcountymi.gov/govern ment/courts-law- enforcement/sheriff-s- department/divisions-units/marine- patrol

whitepigeontwp.com

www.stjosephcountymi.gov/govern ment/courts-law- enforcement/sheriff-s- department/divisions-units/marine- patrol

Building permits, Burn permits

Enforcement of boating safety laws

Building permits, Burn permits

Enforcement of boating safety laws

St Joseph County Government

DNR (Department of Natural Resources)

Michigan

EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes & Energy)

Michigan

Listing of 'Who Manages What?'Prepared by the Klinger Lake Association

Michigan DNR (Department of Natural Resources)

formerly DEQ

St Joseph County Government

Michigan DNR (Department of Natural Resources)

Michigan EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes & Energy)formerly DEQ

www.stjosephcountymi.gov/home

County Drain Commissioner responsible for dam maintenance and operation

www.michigan.gov/dnr

EGLE (Environment, Great Lakes & Energy)formerly DEQ

Michigan

www.michigan.gov/dnr

www.michigan.gov/egle

www.michigan.gov/egle www.michigan.gov/dnr

Monitors lake water quality

Directory of residents

Building permits, Burn permits

Ambulance services

Dump passes

Zoning regulations, Waterfront ordinances, Anti-funneling rules Monitors lake water quality

Zoning regulations, Waterfront ordinances, Anti-funneling rules

Enforcement of boating safety laws

County Drain Commissioner responsible for dam maintenance and operation

Operation of public launch sites

Watercraft inspections

Boating Safety Classes & Certificates

On-lake patrols on regular and scheduled basis

Weed control permits

County Drain Commissioner responsible for dam maintenance and operation

Maintains tax maps / plat books web site

Operation of public launch sites

Maintains tax maps / plat books web site

Road Commission permits docks on county roads and 'road ends'

Weed control permits

Recreation Passports

Issues

Operation of public launch sites

Recreation Passports

Issues

Seawall regulations and permits

Weed control permits

Seawall regulations and permits

Seawall regulations and permits Issues Recreation Passports

Fishing licenses / law enforcement

Fishing tournaments, fish stocking, Goose nest destruction permits (with Branch & Hillsdale Counties) Community Health/ Environmental Healthwell water testing

Wetlands regulations

Directory of residents

Contacts: Beach Representatives; KLA Board & Officers

Fire Department

Community Health/ Environmental Healthwell water testing On-lake patrols on regular and scheduled basis

Fishing tournaments, fish stocking, Goose nest destruction permits (with Branch & Hillsdale Counties)

Community Health/ Environmental Healthwell water testing

Fishing tournaments, fish stocking, Goose nest destruction permits (with Branch & Hillsdale Counties)

Sheriff's Office: property crimes; traffic laws; animal control Fire Department

Agriculture Operations Monitoring (i.e. CAFOs)

Agriculture Operations

Monitoring (i.e. CAFOs)