Relaxing channel view are part of the ambience at the Waterfront Bistro.

By Loren Shaum
InkFreeNews Columnist

Warmer months are upon us and visitors to Lake Country become more frequent. For those with lake property, spring means clean-up, piers installed and boat lifts in place. By Memorial Day weekend, most boats are on their lifts.

Folks jam as much activity as possible into a three to four-month period and eating-out is one of those. When weather allows, waterfront dining dominates the Lake Country scene. There’s just something so relaxing about the experience, especially when casually cruising to your favorite spot by boat.

Lake Country Options

Gator bites at the Back Porch

The Back Porch at Oakwood Resort is always very popular, especially the floating “Tiki Bar” attached to the main pier. Directly on the lake and with an abundance of boat parking, The Back Porch will serve over 1,000 every week. Their raw bar opens for the summer offering fresh oysters and sushi. Craft brews on draft are aplenty — especially from Man Cave Brewing Co. Their Sandbar Blond is one frequently quaffed.

The Channel Marker’s Tiki Bar on Main Channel is also incredibly busy during the summer. On weekends, boat parking is sometimes creative, and we’ve often seen the parking lot jammed-full. Cars even line-up along the road across the street on the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation property. Their menu offers many items — most with nautical names, like the beachcomber. The bar has many island brews on ice, but there are also draft brews on tap inside.

The most popular hang-out for the 20-something crowd is The Frog Tavern. Known as the “Institution of Sorts,” it’s focused more as a watering hole rather than food. With weekend bands scheduled throughout the summer and the SS Lillypad II party boat always available, there is always something going-on. With channel access, it’s always fun watching folks figure-out how and where to park their monster boats. Sometimes boats are stacked three-deep!

Going South

Lake Tippecanoe had Pie Eyed Petey’s for great grinders, but, sadly, they closed.

On the channel between Big and Little Barbee Lakes, the former Barbee Landing is now under new ownership, and the Lakelife Bar & Grill is now open and evolving. Although with limited hours (4 p.m. opening), they offer evening food and entertainment on Saturdays.

Delightful frog leg basket at the Tri-Lakes Tavern.

On Winona Lake, the Boathouse Restaurant is an excellent venue. The grilled salmon salad is outstanding. While there, you can always take-in the unique shopping experience in the Village of Winona.

Over in Whitley County is Tri-Lakes Tavern. Nestled adjacent Shriner lake, there is also access from Little Cedar and Round Lakes. Now under new ownership, we hope the frog legs stay on the menu.

Venturing East

If you shoot an arrow from Lake Country straight over to Angola, and follow that route, you’ll find more interesting venues. The first is Coody Brown’s sitting between Westler and Witmer Lakes in LaGrange County. It offers some great bar grub, and the onion rings are as good as any!

Moving further east is Adam’s Lake Pub. It’s a little higher-end, but the prime rib has become popular.

Continuing eastward, there’s Turkey Lake Restaurant and Tavern, home to what has to be close to the original Stroh’s fish recipe and great bloody Mary’s. Located in the Stroh suburb of Elmira, and across the road from Big Turkey Lake, the tavern offers a family-friendly environment and is the local watering hole for those so inclined. Boats can park on a public pier in the park across the street.

A bloody Mary at Turkey Lake Restaurant and Tavern.

Steuben County has over 100 lakes including Lake James. On the east shore is Pokagon State Park and the rustic Potawatomi Inn. It’s a great year-round, lakefront venue. The northern lodge decor nautical antiques, a tour of the inn is worth a trip. Food’s not bad, either!

Just north on Snow Lake and accessible via a boardwalk is The Hang Out Bar & Grill. Featuring fresh, local ingredients, the burgers are fabulous, breakfasts are enormous, and there’s an extensive list of funky-named Mexican dishes. Interesting burger choices make that selection challenging. The brews include local craft beers.

Located on the channel between Jimmerson Lake and Lake James is the Waterfront Bistro. Guests arrive at this quaint restaurant by both land and water for the clam chowder, which I can declare is one of the best I’ve had.

Then there’s fresh fish! Where else can you get barramundi?

Just a bit west of the Waterfront Bistro is Crooked Lake and the Captain’s Cabin. Their prime rib was one of the best, but sadly, the owners decided to retire, and it closed.

We’ve visited joints further away, like Harbour House on Bass Lake (North Judson), The Rock on Big Fish Lake (Marcellus, Mich.) and Happy Landing on Corey Lake (Three Rivers, Mich.). Closer, and if you want to venture to Orland, there’s the Wall Lake Tavern.

There are a couple others that need to be explored this year. One is the Clear Lake Pub east of Fremont, the Mexican joint on Hamilton Lake and the Flippin Cow on Simonton Lake north of Elkhart.

So, it seems there are plenty of water front venues to take advantage of as weather allows. Even then, some places like The Back Porch have heaters and heated igloos. Take-in any of these relaxing venues and enjoy the views.