This Resources page is provided to ask questions and make recommendations about services, share ideas about products and/or any general information (lake related or not) which may interest all the lake property owners.
Just click in the “Leave a Reply” box at the bottom of the page, write in your question or comment, and then click on “Post Comment”.
I’m looking for a place to moor a pontoon boat next boating season. I’m willing to pay a competitive rate and give references/background check. I don’t need use of a shoreline or land. I would paddle over and get it. I have a place a quarter mile off Bear Lake. I am also looking to buy something on Bear Lake but recent prices have not worked for me, so I thought I’d try a different strategy. If you have any, any possibilities or ideas then please give me a shout. Phone: eight six three-286-one nine three three. Thanks in advance.
Do any of you or any of you know someone around the lake that has any spare garage or pole barn space available for winter storage ? Looking for winter storage for our pontoon. 23’ pontoon on bunk trailer. Not looking for a freebie, this would be paid storage. Doesn’t have to be right on the lake either, willing to drive within 20-30 mins of the lake. TIA !
2 blow up tubes washed ashore on SE side of lake at Tuttle cottages. One is rainbow colored with sparkles and the other has markings of a steel belted radial tire. Still there as of Saturday 8/3.
Sam can you or anyone else recommend a house painter?
Any recommendations for someone to pour, float, and finish a concrete slab approx. 16’ X 9’? Site is more or less prepped and ready to go and is located on the west side of lake. Thank you.
I have a good one. Ken Gentz +1 (989) 370-4578. Nice prices and good work. Take a look at the additional slab he completed at the pickleball courts. I think 15’ x 60’. He’s pretty busy though.
Sam
Missing Royal Blue boat bumper. We believe it came untied or broke loose during the weekend wind. We live on the NE corner of the lake.
Hello I am looking for someone to power wash my roof!
Hope someone has a good recommendation.
Birds Be Scared Window Cleaning
(Roof Cleaning, Gutters, Power Washing, & More…)
231-735-5424
birdsbescared@yahoo.com
Bryan & Katie Woods
Owner/Operators * Insured
Note – I haven’t used them.
Searching for the following professionals
* plummer
* dock install and removal
* spring and fall yard people
We are looking for a recommendation for a trash pickup service.
GFL is the local trash service for us. You need to register for home pickup
A new, local company is O’Tracey’s Waste. Many in the Kalkaska area are switching over:
https://www.otraceyswaste.com/#/
Hi, I’m looking for a seasonal house cleaner if anyone has any recommendations; can also be a cleaning company. Needed approximately 10 times May-September. No sheet washing or bed making required! Thanks for your help.
Colleen Howe, 1420 W. Bear Lake Rd. NE, 419-283-8862
Spare Bedroom furniture for sale.
1. Wooden twin bunk bed with matching vertical dresser and night stand.
2. Double bed with headboard.
$500
2x Starr 1500 pound Jetski lifts for sale. $2500
Who do you recommend for septic clean out?
Jack Millikin in Grayling. About $300 plus $50 if they to find the opening. Any Kalkaska operators charge more due to extra county fees.
Hi I’m Wayne Pavlika I live on west bear lake rd I want everybody to know I am a home inspector plus I do Point of sale septic and well inspections if you need anything you can call me 419-460-0113 my company is called Insideout inspections plus we do around 2500 inspections a year plus I have 48 years of construction background Thanks
Someone is looking for a Chimney Sweep.
We have use Affordable Chimney Sweep, and seemed quite good and was recommended by our Mason who worked on our home.
231 4596598
Affordable Chimney Sweep-231-459-6598
Gavin Gilmet-231-534-4258
We used them last year and Gavin did a great job. Our place was clean, chimney worked as it should and we weren’t home at the time.
I am a recent addition to the Bear Lake community having purchased property in January of 2020. I grew up in Mancelona but we always flew by the Bear Lake signs on 72 without giving it a second thought. I have to admit I have kind of fallen for the place. The turquoise blue waters are mesmerizing. A few locals have told me the water quality has fallen over the years. When I’ve been on the lake I’ve noticed piles of dark leaves. I was wondering about their effect on water quality? I was also wondering what interest people would have in a leave/debris cleanup, assuming this makes a difference in water quality? Any and all comments would be appreciated by this Bear Lake newbie.
Hi Mike – Welcome to the neighborhood. It’s true, leaves and twigs add nutrients to the water that feed plants but when your lake lies in the middle of the forest, it’s pretty hard to keep them out. With that said, if you ask any lake property owner, they will tell you how frequently I encourage them to RAKE-THE-LAKE. If you have an effective and efficient way to clear the leaves, I would be interested in hearing about it.
I’m truly disappointed that you have received information that the water quality has deteriorated. That is certainly not my or the board’s view. Invasive weeds have dramatically been reduced, the clarity has remained clear even reaching 50 feet in the spring and Michigan Lakes and Streams Association have ranked us one of the cleanest lakes in the state. EGLE will not allow us to treat native plants, and we don’t want to. They filter the water and provide a great habitat for our abundant fish population.
Our lake association members have also “fallen for the place”. Bear Lake makes it easy. Thank for your note.
Sam, President, Bear Lake Association
Mike, You can purchase a lake rake online. Many people use them and like them. I have found my garden rake and leaf rakes more manageble and prefer them over the lake rakes I have borrowed and tried. My neighbor also has found that she prefers her leaf rake and piles the debris on a foam water matress to transport to shore for disposal. I float a 5 gallon bucket with me as I rake. Find what works for you – endless ideas. Welcome!
Mike Price has done that kind of work in the past and assume he still does. Try these phone numbers: 231-564-3008 or 231-886-0028.
Dick Miller
I highly recommend GeoFurnace in TC. 231-943-1000. They put in a new furnace and AC unit several years ago and it very efficient and quiet. Great customer service, too.
Sam
Internet Provider: I have Charter / Spectrum for Cable TV. I’m not at the cottage often enough to use their the high speed Internet service. The other options I’m aware of in terms of the Internet would be to either put a dish at your location or purchase an air card. The dish option is more expensive. I had an air card from Sprint when I was still working and it was pretty reliable. It picks up signals from the cell phone towers.
Garbage: Offer to share a neighbor’s expense for trash removal and use the recycling bin by the township hall. Most households generate more recycling than trash.
Dock: Mike Price (Black Creek Landscaping) puts in and takes out docks. I believe he also sells docks. Mike Price’s cell phone number is 231-624-0067.
Hope this helps.
Dick Miller
I use the new Spectrum 1-877-764-4039 for phone, internet and TV, they gave me a great deal and they are reliable, unlike COLI that provides the wireless for the lake. We had nothing but trouble with service (reliability, speed) , equipment, and billing.
Trash, we use American Waste 231-258-9030, 1-800-544-2663
Tanner Blower is great at putting in docks, removing them, he has boat lifts, etc. for sale. 231-384-5299
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any other questions, my family has been on the lake since 1959.
Lorie Fulton Albertson
email: lorie@wheatfieldinn.com
Hi Jeff. Dawn McLean-Baggs lives in Kalkaska and does an excellent job of cleaning. She does several investment properties and lake houses in the area and is very professional. Let me know if you need any info. Feel free to send me an e-mail if you would like.
I want to personally thank Sam & Jo Rahaim for their gracious hospitality in taking my Au Sable Lake Ecology students and me out on your beautiful lake to do water chemistry and other measurements. Yesterday was our 4th annual time doing this. I’ve worked with many lake residents and associations while teaching this class in this area over the past 22 years, and I can unequivocally say that Bear Lake is blessed with a fantastic Lake Assoc. President (Sam), other Board members, CLMP lake sampling volunteer (https://micorps.net/lake-monitoring/become-a-volunteer/), and caring/concerned/supportive/proactive fellow lakeside homeowners. I commend all of you for helping keep your lake so beautiful. John
PS Seeing the loons – mother, father, and their 2 chicks (youngsters now) yesterday – was an amazing added benefit!
Bill from Fast Storage on M72 and Lake Valley Rd is now selling docks and lifts. His number is 231-313-4057
I use Tanner Blower, he is a great help and always willing to help anybody. 231-384-5299. He has been helping our family for years and years.
We have had Bob Terry and his crew put in and take out our dock and hoist for many years. His shop is the Terry Sports on M72 just west of grayling. Always done a good job 989-348-7746
Fleming Construction 989-386-2200 is on the lake right now repairing and installing 5 seawalls on the west side. You might call them to have them give you an estimate.
Sam Rahaim
We are one of the houses that had a new sea wall installed. Fleming did a good job and the guys were very nice to speak with. Professional people. After the permits came in they got right to work and had the wall done in a couple of weeks. Havent seen the completed job because they still had the stones to put in but expect to be pleased when we’re up next time.
We use Julie Ginther for a housekeeper, she lives in Grayling. I am not sure if she might want to take on another. She is very trustworthy, reliable, very nice and also does laundry for our rental.
In the past we used Loretta Minnick, also from Grayling. Due to some health concerns she no longer cleans but did contact me this year as she has someone that would like to take on some cleaning; I did not ask who it was and do not know them but Loretta was wonderful also.
If interested, please contact me for their numbers – 616-822-8219. Kim Beckman
We recently had an issue that led to us need a new well pump. We called Jim ‘ s Well Drilling and pump service. They came out that same day and fixed our problem. They were very knowledgeable and kind. I would use them again in a heartbeat. Their number is 989-348-8788
If anyone around the lake needs any TV and/or appliances service I highly recommend Jerry’s TV & Appliance Service in Kalkaska. Throughout the years we’ve relied on Jerry for our service needs and would highly recommend him to all of our friends and neighbors here on Bear Lake! Visit their website at http://www.jerrystvandappliance.com or call Jerry at 231-258-9347. You won’t be disappointed with the great, honest and reliable level of service you”ll receive!
THE NEW PUBLIC ROAD ENDS AT LAKES LAW
This link provides excellent information, by way of Q & A, regarding a new lake road end law. A new Michigan law was passed last year that details what is prohibited in the lake abutting road ends and the fines associated with an infraction. Overall, the new law is pro-riparian and pro-public lake access.
http://www.bsmlawpc.com/_blog/Municipal_Law_Grand_Rapids_Michigan/post/The_New_Public_Road_Ends_at_Lakes_Law/
Here is the actual law:
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2011-2012/publicact/pdf/2012-PA-0056.pdf
PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE
Purple loosestrife is an invasive exotic perennial plant that has been found growing in the Northwest corner of Bear Lake. Although only a small patch was found, we should all be aware of it because it can quickly drive out native plants and disrupt the natural ecosystem. The good news is, unlike phragmites, Purple loosestrife can be removed by pulling it out by hand (which was done on the patch we found). Protecting the lake from this and other invasive species will likely be an ongoing project. Here’s an article about purple loosestrife in Michigan.
http://www.miseagrant.umich.edu/downloads/ais/fs-97-501_purple_loosestrife.pdf
Pictures:
https://www.google.com/search?q=purple+loosestrife+in+michigan&hl=en&tbo=u&rlz=1T4GGHP_enUS445US445&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ei=44u3UMPEJqS6yAGN2oHIBw&ved=0CD0QsAQ&biw=1579&bih=765
PHRAGMITES
Here is a resource that will tell you everything you wanted to know about this very invasive plant.
http://greatlakesphragmites.net/
We used Advanced Quality Chimney Professionals to clean our fireplace. Carl Sandel was very nice, knowledgable and neat! (No mess left behind when he was done…) He also repaired our chimney cap and power washed the mold off our roof. I would highly recommend him. Phone number 231-258-5054
Would also like to recommend Al’s Outside Maintenance(Al Olszewski) 231-258-1245 for snowplowing. He does many other things too, but I haven’t had him do anything other than snowplowing so far.
Michael Price (Black Creek Landscape and Snowplow ) is very reliable and fair in pricing.
213. 624.0067
Tree Removal:
I recommend Northwood Tree Service (owner, Randy Gilbert) for tree removal and trimming. HIs address is 2525 Valley Rd. Kalkaska, MI 49646, Phone: 231-384-0662
Snow Plowing:
Black Creek Landscape and Snowplowing (owner, Mike Price). Phone 231-624-0067