WELCOME TO LITTLE BEAR LAKE HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATION

The Association was organized for the purpose to oversee, foster and generate among and on behalf of its members good community relations, adherence to reservations and restrictions on use of property, to promote the communal and material welfare of and for its members with respect to property owned on or around Little Bear Lake, Otsego County, Michigan .......

The Association shall be responsible for the management, maintenance and administration of the private roads and the Park Site and common areas.

(ARTICLE I B of LBLA by Laws)

2024-2025 Snow Plow Information

If you are interested in seeking snow removal this season, the association is working with Chuck Karen this year. He can be contacted at 248-421-5457

Please do not shovel, push, or blow snow into the road regardless of if the road is plowed or not.

Snow is plowed by private contractor, Chuck Karen (the same person/crew we used last year who did an excellent job). This contractor has more than just Little Bear Lake as an account, so please be patient, especially in the bigger, multi day storms.

Snow is plowed at a (min)of 4 inches (not at 4 inches). There may be 8 inches by the time it's plowed during storms or reoccurring snow at the discretion of the contractor Chuck and/or Brian Parros.

Sanding of roads is also done at the discretion of Chuck and/or Brian and is done on an as needed basis and mostly concentrated to the hills and intersections and may not be done on all roads.

There are several full time resident board members and also members who we have monitoring road conditions and are reporting to Brian.

Any concerns regarding snow removal should be directed to Brian Parros @ 419-467-2177.

DUES AND NEWSLETTER INFO

If you have an email address on file, the newsletter will be sent to you in early August. Otherwise, it will be posted on Facebook, and this website.

2025 Dues

Invoices were mailed or emailed in June 2024.

If you did not receive the email, check your spam folder.

Dues for 2025 is $200 due 9/1/24 cash or check

If you opt to pay using QuickBooks, there is a 1% processing fee, therefore include it in your payment and use link that was emailed with invoice.

If you would like to pay online and can’t find the email with the link, please email us at Mikespencer.lbla@gmail.com

Invoices will not be resent to save on postage and office supplies (LBL spends about $500 per mailing). In addition to saving money for LBLA, many envelopes are returned without a forwarding address.

We thank those that have supplied their email to help with accurate communication and those that have already paid.

Little Bear Lake Homeowner Association information

IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS/WEBSITES

**GREAT LAKES ENERGY (ELECTRIC)

https://www.gtlakes.com

1-888-485-2537

**FRONTIER (internet/tv)

https://frontier.com

877-599-1870

**TRUESTREAM (fiber optic internet)

https://www.truestreamfiber.com

888-485-2537

**PRESQUE ISLE ELECTRIC & GAS

https://pieg.com

800-423-6634

**Sex Offenders

https://www.familywatchdog.us/showmap.asp

**Charlton Township Office
Office Ph: 989.731.1920
Office Fax: 989.731.1070
Office Hours
10900 M-32 E.
P.O. Box 367
Johannesburg, MI 49751

https://www.charltontownship.com

**Otsego County
225 W Main
Gaylord, MI 49735
Phone: 989-732-6484

https://www.otsegocountymi.gov

Tri-Township Transfer Station

989-732-8273

Hours of Operation:

WEDNESDAY 12:00-5:00 PM

SATURDAY 8:00 AM- 1:00 PM

SUNDAY 12:00 - 5:00 PM

OFF M-32 WEST OF JOHANNESBURG

ROCK RD (N SIDE OF M-32)

About 3 miles west of town

Natural Resources Commission approves changes to fishing regulations

CLICK ME for the DNR new fishing regulations

September 2023 Meeting Agenda

Here is a quick link that will take you to the meeting agenda for this weekends Fall Membership Meeting. We will have refreshments for all members and hope to see you there!!

CLICK ME for the Agenda

Fall Newsletter 2023

If you provided an email through appfolio or google docs, you should have received the newsletter. It is also available on the website.

Newsletters and statements were sent on 8/4/23 via usps while we transition to going green.

If you wish to receive a statement electronically, email brianparros.lbla@gmail.com

MICHIGAN DOG LEASH LAW

ACCORDING TO MICHIGAN LAW, NO DOG OWNER IS ALLOWED TO HAVE THEIR DOG STRAY IN PUBLIC UNLESS LEASHED PROPERLY. FOR ALL PRACTICAL PURPOSES, TIHS APPLIES TO ANY AREA THAT IS NOT ON THE OWNER'S PROPERTY. MCL 287.262

ANY DOG OWNER IS ALSO LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES DUE TO THEIR ANIMAL NOT BEING UNDER CONTROL.

THIS POLICY IS ALSO IN LBLA BYLAWS, ARTICLE VII C.

RESPECT FOR ALL

AS REMINDER, BE CONSIDERATE OF NEIGHBORS AS PROPERTIES ARE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY. VOICES AND MUSIC CARRY, INCLUDING VULGAR LANGUAGE.

JUST A REMINDER -

NO WAKE FROM 7:30 PM TO 11 AM (simply means no fast speeds).

YES, YOU CAN USE PONTOONS ALL HOURS, THERE IS NO RESTRICTION.

NO JETSKI, PULLING TUBES, ETC FROM 7:30 PM- 11AM.

NO WAKE IN ALL COVES AT ANY TIME.

A quick message from the Board:

The weather this past weekend showed us that summer has OFFICIALLY kicked off! It was incredible to see so many of you at the meeting on Saturday, on the lake all weekend, and passing by on our roads. We had a couple of reminders for everyone so that we can ensure that we have a safe and happy summer!

1. Boating Rules: When using the lake for boating, PWC and fishing, be familiar with and follow all local & state laws, including:

- Open Boating hours: 11:00 am to 7:30 pm

- No Wake hours: 7:30 pm to 11:00 am the next day.

As a reminder - No Wake in all coves - all hours / all days.

- Boating direction: is counter-clockwise.

- Safe distance: Maintain a 100’ safe distance from shore, docks, rafts, people in water, and anchored vessels when traveling at a speed causing a wake.

- NOTE: There were a lot of vessels on the water this weekend and a lot of tubers and skiiers. Please do not cut between vessels or between a vessel and the shoreline while at wake speed. This is dangerous and can result in significant injuries to the boaters and those being towed.

2. Lake rules: We know that many of us are working to improve our shorelines after the high water levels that we've had. Some of us have significant damage from the freezes and thaws. But remember to observe local and state laws as they related to improving our properties.

- Shoreline Projects: A permit from DNR/EGLE is required prior to building any structures, sea walls or adding fill/sand on or near the shoreline.

3. Common courtesies: As a reminder, voices and sounds carry on the water - especially late at night. While we loved hearing everyone enjoying themselves - the laughing was contagious! - we want to remind everyone that the good and bad sounds travel. We have a lot of families with children so please be mindful of your language - whether in speech or in music choices.

4. Roads: As a reminder the speed limit on all LBLA roads is 15 miles per hour, this includes cars, trucks, recreational vehicles of any kind and golf carts. Road repairs are costly therefore if you are caught abusing the roads, please expect a heavy fine for road repairs.

We look forward to seeing everyone this summer and hope to have one of our best summers yet! Bring on Little Bear Lake Summer 2023!!"

How to Pay Your Dues

Send your payment to:

LBLA

P.O. Box 335

Johannesburg, MI. 49751

If you have any questions, contact Mike Spencer, Treasurer

IMPORTANT INFO FROM DNR

DNR banner with link to website

DNR News

April 14, 2023
Contact: Jeremiah Blaauw, 906-623-5767, ext. 9 or Gary Whelan, 517-242-2764

DNR says fish kills may be common during spring thaw

Fish kill at Strawberry Lake

After ice and snow cover melt on Michigan lakes this spring, it may be more likely for people to discover dead fish or other aquatic animals. While such sights can be startling, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone that it is normal, since winter conditions can cause fish and other creatures such as turtles, frogs, toads and crayfish to die.

"Winterkill is the most common type of fish kill," said Gary Whelan, DNR Fisheries Division research manager. "As the season changes, it can be particularly common in shallow lakes, ponds, streams and canals. These kills are localized and typically do not affect the overall health of the fish populations or fishing quality."

Shallow lakes with excess aquatic vegetation and soft bottoms are more prone to this problem, particularly when a deep snowpack reduces sunlight for the plants. Canals in urban areas also are quite susceptible due to the large amounts of nutrient runoff and pollution from roads and lawns and septic systems that flow into these areas, especially from large storm events.

Fish and other aquatic life typically die in late winter but may not be noticed until a month after the ice leaves lakes. That’s because the dead fish and other aquatic life are temporarily preserved by the cold water. Fish also may be affected by rapid changes in water temperature due to unseasonably warm temperatures leading to stress and, sometimes, mortality.

Fish can become easily stressed in winter due to low energy reserves because feeding is at a minimum in winter. They are then less able to handle low oxygen and temperatures swings.

"Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for air at holes in the ice and often ends with large numbers of dead fish that bloat as the water warms," Whelan said. "Dead fish and other aquatic life may appear fuzzy because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death. The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and other dead aquatic animals under the ice."

Dissolved oxygen is required by fish and all other forms of aquatic life. Once daylight is greatly reduced by ice and snow cover, aquatic plants stop producing oxygen and many die. The bacteria that decompose organic materials on the bottom of the lake use the remaining oxygen in the water. Once the oxygen is reduced and other aquatic animals die and start decomposing, the rate that oxygen is used for decomposition is additionally increased – that means that dissolved oxygen levels in the water decrease even further, leading to increasing winterkill.

For more information on fish kills in Michigan, visit Michigan.gov/Fishing.

The public is welcome to report fish kills using the Eyes in the Field website; such reports are valuable to the DNR’s ability to manage the state’s aquatic resources. If you suspect a fish kill is due to nonnatural causes, call the nearest DNR office or Michigan's Pollution Emergency Alert System at 800-292-4706