Pinckney MI Chain of Lakes
Livingston and Washtenaw Counties have a "chain of lakes" which include Portage, Little Portage, Baseline, Gallagher, Whitewood, Strawberry, Zukey, and Ore Lakes. I would call the Portage Chain of lakes it "Pontoon heaven".
Depending on who you talk to the chain of lakes is called Portage chain of lakes, or Pinckney Chain of lakes, Or Huron River chain of lakes. .
Many residents enjoy leisurely touring the lakes and river canals, which can take up to two hours from one end of the Chain to the other. Combine that four hour round trip ride with some stopping, or jumping off in the water, or talking with friends on sandbars, and you can enjoy a relaxing day on the water. There are places that you can grab pizzas and or stop to eat (Zukey Lake Tavern). There is even a marina on the chain of lakes.
That's what makes the chain of lakes great! Unlike single lakes where all you can do is go round-and-round the same lake all day, every day.
The 4th of July fireworks on Portage Lake is a great place to go especially if you have a boat. It is a featured attraction during every summer. Don't go near the crowd near the marina and go straight across the lake and anchor near the opposite shoreline to view the fireworks.
The Portage Chain is patrolled by Livingston County, Washtenaw County and the Michigan DNR. They try to keep unsafe boating practices and drunk boating to a minimum so everybody can enjoy the lakes safely.
The Portage Chain is nine lakes that are connected by Huron River canals.
● Big Portage Lake is the largest lake in the Chain
● Little Portage Lake, one of the smallest lakes in the Chain, is accessible thru a canal that goes under Dexter-Pinckney Road.
● From Portage Lake, boats can go under either of two bridges to the Huron River and go north to Baseline Lake. Following the Huron River canals, you can go up stream to Gallagher Lake, Strawberry Lake, Tamarack Lake, Whitewood Lake, and Zukey Lake. Smaller boats can continue up the river to Ore Lake. Just be careful of shallow water and your prop. If you have an over loaded boat that sits low in the water.... you probably not going to make it.
There is a DNR public access site on Big Portage Lake (open 8 am to 10 pm & permit required) that has approximately 30 boat trailers parking spots, so get there early because the amount of boats entering from the public launch is limited.
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