Christie Lake Association, Near Lawrence, MI
There are many options for nearby dining, but if you don't live at the lake full-time, it can be difficult to know where to go (or when) in order to get the best deals. Here are some suggestions from around the area we have received from local residents for you. (Note: We have not confirmed nor edited these items yet, and are simply putting them in as we go.) If you'd like to add an item or a review to this list, please let us know!
- Latitude 42 Brewing Company: 7842 Portage Rd, Portage, MI
I-94 East to Portage Rd (Air Zoo Exit), then South
Nice - The Grill House: 1071 32nd St, Allegan, MI
North on M-40 from Paw Paw, almost to Allegan, about 20 Miles, but well worth the drive
Highly Recommended and Famous: **** - Easy Street Inn: 275 N Paw Paw St., Coloma, MI
Main Street in Coloma, Behind John's Glass
Very good; good Mexican food option - Clementine's Too: 1235 Broad St, St Joseph, MI
St. Joseph, on the river
Very good. - Mark III Grille & Bar: 4179 M-139, St Joseph, MI
I-94 to Scottdale Rd, then South
Excellent Steaks and great Mexican food - Tosi's Restaurant: 4337 Ridge Rd, Stevensville, MI
I-94 to Red Arrow Exit 23, then North
Area's best Italian food, one of the Top 100 Restaurants in the US - Gala-T-Inn: 65108 Red Arrow Hwy, Hartford, MI
Red Arrow Highway in Hartford
Great pizza and sandwiches - TJ's Sports Bar & Grill: 195 S M 140, Watervliet, MI
I-94 to M-140 in Watervliet, then South
Good food, pizza, burgers, and sandwiches - Arrowhead Bar & Grill: 20 W Main St, Hartford, MI
Main Street (Red Arrow) in Hartford
Fresh hand-pressed burgers, only $1.50 on Tuesdays 5-8pm - Lakeside Bar & Grill (???: Couldn't find on-line, maybe a different name?)
Little Crooked Lake, Off M-152
$1.50 Burger Special on Thursday Nights, with Karaoke! - Silver Beach Pizza: 410 Vine St, St Joseph, MI
Broad & Vine, in St. Joseph
Very, very popular location overlooking Lake Michigan, Voted best pizza in SW MI every year! - Tea Pot Dome Grill & Grocery: 42887 W Red Arrow Hwy, Paw Paw, MI
Tea Pot Dome (M-51 & Red Arrow)
Great food; Inexpensive lunch/breakfast - The Strand Brewery & Grill: 93415 Co Rd 690, Dowagiac, MI
Overlooking Round Lake on CR690
Excellent! - Sister Lakes Brewing Company: 92500 Co Rd 690, Dowagiac, MI
Sister Lakes
Craft Microbrewery
Purple Loosestrife is an invasive plant species that has already been seen on our lake, and it can be especially bad in wetland areas (like a majority of our lake this year). For a full description of the plant which has good pictures), please click here. If you see any of this on our lake (or elsewhere), please follow this link to report it to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network as quickly as possible.
Important Update (07/06/2012)
I just wanted to let everyone know that 12,000+ weevils were planted today in two locations. The first spot is in the far southwest cove. The second spot is on the far northeast end. Both areas are identified with large orange floaters. Please do ski, jet ski or pull tubes near these floaters. We want happy and hungry weevils...give them some space!
Enviroscience will return this Thursday to plant an additional 20,000 weevils. You will receive an additional update after Thursday's planting.
Invasive species are plants and animals which are not native to our lake, and which have no natural predators in our environment. Many Michigan lakes have seen an influx of invasive species, from the zebra mussel to plants like the Eurasian watermilfoil, and even diseases which can wipe out entire fish populations. Like viruses, these invasive species can be carried into our lake from boats that have not been properly cleaned, including fragments of the plants on propellers, plants and animals stored in bilge areas, and even the dumping of bait buckets into our lake after fishing in other lakes which have been infested.
The Christie Lake Association leverages the expertise of EnviroScience, Inc. to combat the non-native Eurasian watermilfoil (EWM) plant via the use of the milfoil weevil, a tiny animal that feeds on the EWM.
You will need an Adobe PDF Viewer to view these reports.
What can you do to help prevent the spread of invasive species? Here's a few simple tips:
- Don't dump "things" into the lake. Dispose of fish or plants from aquariums or other lakes on land. Also, be sure to avoid the storm drains, which can drain back into the lake.
- Don't bring bait fish from other waters into our lake.
- Drain your boat completely when leaving any lake.
- Clean your boat properly, removing all plant materials and mud (which can hide plants and other species) from the boat as well as the trailer, paddles, bumpers, ropes, etc.
- Use a pressure washer, water over 104 degrees, or a bath of vinegar or salt water for the necessary length of time needed to kill these species.
Here are a few more resources that might be helpful:
Christie Lake, Michigan
Near Lawrence, MI