Lower Crooked Lake is located southwest of the village of Delton. It is bounded by three roads: Milo Road, Norris Road, and Parker Road. Part of Parker Road sits on a narrow causeway that separates Upper Crooked Lake from Lower Crooked Lake. A really nice boat launch is located on the southwest corner of Lower Crooked. It is a Prairieville Township park and the fee is seven bucks (fee subject to change). The lake consists of two connected bodies of water. I’ll call them the south basin and the north basin. The connector is called the narrows and it is a mile long. There are about six homes on the lake, all on the south basin. There is a private campground next to the boat launch, but it never shows much activity. Almost all of the property surrounding the lake is owned by Michigan State University and is called Lux Arbor Reserve. In summer, some areas of the lake are choked with aquatic veggies. It’s still fun to visit the lake in the warmer months, but some parts of the lake will not be easily accessible.
The south basin features two islands and many coves to explore.
On the south basin, I paddled through some brush and found a good sized lake. It doesn’t have a name.
The narrows is the easiest way to travel between the north basin and the south basin.
A cove can be accessed from the narrows by a wide channel. It’s not easy to explore this cove during summer because of the excessive aquatic vegetation.
There is a alternate route between the north basin and the south basin. It involves paddling through three separate, unnamed lakes.
Some of the passages from lake to lake are narrow channels that cross submerged two-track trails.
Other passages are through thick brush.
Some of these passages can be very difficult to find. Some are hidden. I have a hard time finding some of them.
I last paddled the alternate route in June of 2020, when water levels were very high. I didn’t have to get out of my kayak to complete the route. During years of low water levels, I would advise NOT to take the alternate route. The lake to lake passages would have to be portaged, not paddled. The portages would be on private property and they are posted, no trespassing. During low water levels, the area is patrolled by a security vehicle. You will get caught. I know, because I got caught. The security guard let me go with a reprimand. Lucky me!
The north basin of Lower Crooked Lake is shallow and completely covered by lily pads.
There are a few small spots of open water. This huge pad field looks impassable but it is actually quite easy to paddle and explore.
Lower Crooked Lake will give you hours of kayaking enjoyment, so visit it soon!
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 