By Louie Stout

Just when we thought we’d lost any hope of gaining an access at Eagle Lake in Cass County, the DNR has stepped up and made an offer on another property.

The Ontowa Township Planning Commission will hold a public meeting Feb. 5 at 7 p.m. in which details will be explained. The Hall is located across from Lunker’s.

A conceptual drawing of the proposed site can be found by clicking here.

It’s imperative that individual sportsmen and representatives of sportsmen associations attend this meeting and show their support.

The land is near the former Dock property that the DNR tried to buy before the Eagle Lake Improvement Association bought it out from under them to prevent the access.

It’s a six-lot property on the north side of the channel and across from Eagle Lake. The proposed access includes spaces for 16 vehicle/trailer parking spots that would service a new ramp on Eagle Lake and another ramp into the channel leading to the Juno Chain. It also includes an extension of land on the lakeside to allow safer launching.

Once again, the lake association is ramping up its efforts to keep anglers off the lakes and plans to put up another fight. However, the new access answers most of the previous complaints the lake association raised about the DNR’s first attempt. Also, the new proposal has received preliminary support from some township members. Public support could help sway their voting.

More details will be announced here and in the South Bend Tribune Outdoors section prior to the meeting.