Gather your friends together for a fun weekend at Channel Lane Inn and begin the festive holiday season in Pentwater!

Merchant Open Houses begin the first Saturday in December.  The village shops, galleries & boutiques will be providing refreshments & in-store specials to help you find the perfect gift for all on your list.  Additionally, the Christmas Craft Fair will be held from 9am - 4pm on Saturday at the school.

While in town, consider treating yourself to a relaxing massage or manicure.  Enjoy a meal at one of Pentwater’s restaurants or pick up some groceries at the local grocery store to make a meal together back at your room.  All of our rooms include kitchens with pots & pans provided and rates start at just $60/night.  Call for room availability and to book your stay at Channel Lane Inn.

If you enjoy winter fishing, Pentwater Lake has much to offer.

In January and February of 2010, my local source for fishing information - Joe will be offering a spearing shanty experience.  All you need is a fishing license and he’ll provide the equipment to catch Northern Pike.  Call Joe at 231-869-8681 for price and availability.

Additionally, Perch fishing is good from ice on through to ice off on Pentwater Lake.  Look for future posts on the annual Perch Derby that takes place during February’s WinterFest.

Channel Lane Inn is conveniently located in the village and our “quiet season” rates begin at $60/night.

Hank & Bonnie first stayed at Channel Lane Inn 52 years ago.  They still love to visit Pentwater.  This year they’re driving around town in their electric California Roadster, turning heads as they go by.

Nice looking couple in a nice looking car!

Are you looking for a fun activity for your children during your week in Pentwater?  The Pentwater Junior Sailing Club offers sailing lessons at the affordable price of $50/week starting the week of June 22nd through August 21st.  Register in advance for the week of your choice.  For more information go to www.pentwaterjuniorsailing.org

Channel Lane Inn welcomes quiet & non-aggressive pets although the following conditions apply:

• $15 cleaning fee per stay.
• Maximum of 2 pets per room.
• Pets cannot be left unattended in guest rooms, unless in a crate and with the assurance that they will not disrupt other guests with barking and other loud sounds. (Note: The nearby beach prohibits dogs.)
• Please do not encourage your pets to be on the beds & furniture.
• Dogs must be leashed while on motel property.
• And - this should go without saying! - guests are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Finally, your pets and you are ambassadors for all of the pets that travel here in the future.  Travel courteously and responsibly, and we’ll continue to welcome your pets.

Last weekend some friends & I booked a river trip with Pentwater River Outfitters to explore the north branch of the Pentwater River.   Some of us were beginners & others more experienced, yet we all had a lot of fun!

The kayaks we rented were in excellent condition and the river offered a wide range of scenery.  And, in the final stretch of our 2 hour trip we saw an eagle soaring above us!

Pentwater River Outfitters offers an excellent rental program to guests of Channel Lane Inn.  Consider adding a kayak trip to your plans while vacationing in Pentwater.

Bob & his son Bill spent a few nights at Channel Lane Inn in May so that they could do some fishing in Pentwater Lake.   Bob visits us at least annually.   They caught a large amount of small mouth bass & crappies…  Here they are with some of their catch.

The Pentwater Sportfishing Association’s 25th Annual Memorial Day Weekend Amateur Fishing Tournament is coming up and there are still rooms available at our low off-season rates.  So, why not spend the Memorial Day Weekend in Pentwater catching fish and competing for over $4,000 in prizes?!

Registration is Friday, May 22 from 4-8pm at Pentwater Municipal Marina.  Boats must be registered before fishing at a cost of $30 per boat and there is a 9 poles per boat maximum.  Fish must be caught from a boat to qualify.  Categories are Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and Steelhead.  The tournament starts Saturday, May 23 and runs until noon on Monday, May 25.

Yesterday our neighbor Roger caught two Northern Pike (40″ 10# and 30″ 7#) off the channel.  Other fishermen in boats on Pentwater Lake at the mouth of the channel were catching perch.  Apparently, the Northern Pike have been feeding on the perch.  Roger found this perch while cleaning one of the fish he caught!

Spring is here, the ice has melted from Pentwater Lake & boats are in the water.  But, you don’t need a boat to catch fish!  There’s good fishing along the channel, off of the pier, and along the river.

According to Joe, my reliable source for fishing news:

• Brown trout are being caught off the pier in early morning using crawlers or spawn bags.
• Walleye are being caught off the pier in the evening using perch lures.
• Steelhead are being caught in the river using crawlers, spawn bags or lures and are expected to be around until mid-May.

The Channel Lane Inn is conveniently located for channel and pier fishing… (In fact, Joe caught a 4.5# small mouth bass yesterday just across the street from the inn out on the channel boardwalk!) … and is only 2 miles from the river.  Take advantage of our off-season rates with rooms starting at $70/night.

Word on the ice is that fishing is good these days.  Last week my source Joe reported that one could catch a meal’s worth of perch in just a couple of hours.  Another fisherman on the ice reported that he caught 52 perch with an average length of 9″ on Saturday!  With such good fishing, the number of shanties is really growing out there.   Bait is conveniently available at Cenzo’s, the local grocery store located across the street from the lake.  And, don’t forget to grab one (or two) of their Killer Italian Subs while you’re at it!

As a part of the 3rd Annual Winterfest, the Perch Derby challenges you to catch the largest perch in Pentwater Lake from 11am - 4pm on Saturday 2/14/09.  Registration is at Cenzo’s, the local grocery store in Pentwater, where measurements will take place.  There are 3 trophies in the adult division and 3 trophies in the 14 and under division.  BONUS:  This tournament takes place during the State of Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend so no license is required!

My fishing source (and tournament director), Joe, reports that the best rig at this time appears to be a 2-hook crappie rig with minnows.  He rates the fishing of perch to currently be “slow but steady” but everyone on the ice is hopeful that the big schools of perch will come into Pentwater Lake by the end of February, like they did last year.

Channel Lane Inn has rooms available starting at $60/night.  All rooms have well-stocked kitchens where you can fry the perch you caught for your dinner!

Are you looking to get away for a weekend of cross country skiing?  Pentwater Pathways is located only 5 miles from the Channel Lane Inn and offers groomed trails in a tranquil, scenic setting.  The trail system includes four loops totaling 15 miles, with beginner to advanced trails.

In conjunction with the 3rd Annual Winterfest, the Oceana Cross Country Ski Association will be hosting “free ski day” on Sat. 2/14 and Sat. 2/21.  There will be ski equipment (boots/skis/poles) in the parking lot for anyone that wants to give cross country skiing a try.  Check out www.oceanaski.org to download a map of Pentwater Pathways.

New Year’s Day was spent at Crystal Mountain with my son and his teenage friends.  With some on skis and some on snowboards we had a great time playing in the snow!

I was impressed with the variety of slopes for all skill levels and the helpfulness of the staff throughout the day.  It only took us just under an hour and a half to drive there from the Channel Lane Inn.   Our low Winter rates (beginning at $60/night) and rooms complete with kitchens make for an affordable ski vacation.  Check out www.crystalmountain.com for more information on lift tickets and snow conditions.

A little village has begun to appear on the ice covering Pentwater Lake!

I’ve heard that Northern Pike and Perch are caught throughout the winter.  If any of you fisherman are interested, stay tuned and I’ll keep you posted as to what’s being caught as the season progresses.  The Channel Lane Inn is located adjacent to the lake and would be a convenient place to stay if you’d like to do some fishing in Pentwater.

The 3rd Annual Winterfest 2009 is a fun opportunity to socialize and play in the snow in Pentwater and the neighboring communities of Hart & Mears!

Saturday 2/14 activities include cross-country skiing in Pentwater, a perch fishing tournament in Pentwater, wine tasting at Pentwater’s art galleries, and Vegas Night in Hart.

Saturday 2/21 activities include a pancake breakfast followed by outhouse races in Mears, cross-country skiing in Pentwater, the 3rd Annual Icicle Open at Colonial Golf Course in Hart, beer tasting in Pentwater, and a Mardi Gras Celebration at Pentwater’s Gull Landing.

Book your room at Channel Lane Inn and you’re within walking distance of downtown Pentwater events. Don’t forget to pack your boots!

We love to hear from our guests! Since we took over the Channel Lane Inn in 2008, we have been working to improve the inn and the Pentwater experience for our guests.   Please leave comments and suggestions here - or send us an email at feedback@channellaneinn.com.  We’ll take your feedback into account and post some comments here…

Thank you for staying with us at the Channel Lane Inn!

Sincerely,

Mike and Lisa