Michigan Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Pinckney, Michigan

Population: 25,133

Located in Livingston County

Visitors traveling to the Pinckney and Hamburg area are often drawn by the natural surroundings, such as the chain of lakes and parks and recreation areas. Outdoor activity enthusiasts enjoy fishing, boating, camping, hiking and mountain bike riding. They are pleasantly surprised by these small, hamlet-like villages where one can find all sorts of gear and supplies for an outdoor adventure. In addition, you can buy anything from a new car to groceries or antiques. A visit to this area is a relaxing and welcome change from the frantic pace of big city life. These villages are easily accessible by traveling east on M-36 from U.S. 23 or south on D-19 from I-96.

Pinckney is located in southern Livingston County in Putnam Township, about two miles north of the Washtenaw County line, along M-36. Its economy is supported primarily by small business and its ideal location as a bedroom community to both the greater Ann Arbor and Lansing areas.

This area was first settled by New Yorker residents William Kirkland and his brother-in-law, James Stansbury 1827. They bought land in the area then owned by the Sanford Marble Company and a Colonel Peterson - also from New York. Kirkland, along with Stansbury as business manager, began the William Kirkland Company, which organized the village. Kirkland decided to name the community after his brother, a New York lawyer, Charles Pinckney Kirkland. The village was platted, recorded in 1837, with Stansbury becoming the first postmaster that same year. It eventually was incorporated as a village in 1883.

Michigan Lakes, Boating, Fishing and Recreation
Courtesy of the 'Fish Michigan - 100 Southern Michigan Lakes' book.
Patterson Lake lies in southwest Livingston County in the Pinckney Recreation Area about 7 miles north of Chelsea. The lake is part of the Silver Lake Chain, which includes Watson, Bruin, Blind, Highland, Crooked and Silver lakes. The bottom is a mixture of pulpy peat and marl, and - in the deeper water - muck.

Patterson Lake is fully developed except for the west shore, which is owned by the University of Michigan. Boating pressure on the Silver Lake chain is less intense than on the nearby Portage Lake chain due to lack of access and less development, but Patterson does receive a considerable amount of fishing pressure as well as powerboating pressure from it's residents.

The lake is accessible via public access sites on Bruin Lake and Half Moon Lake. Boat anglers must also traverse Watson Lake.

Strawberry Lake is located in south-central Livingston County about five miles east of Pinckney. One of several lakes on the Portage Lake chain - through which the Huron River flows - Strawberry is ringed by homes and cottages. Access is on either Zukey Lake through a private marina that charges launching fees or via a public access site several miles downstream on the Huron River at Big Portage Lake.

The bottom of deep, fairly clear Strawberry Lake is 90 percent sand and gravel and 10 percent silt. Features include an irregular shoreline, limited shoal area, and steep contour changes. Other than a band of milfoil weeds that circles the drop-off and a few pockets of lily pads, there is little cover. Even so, magnum bluegills and huge crappies are twin calling cards. Some anglers claim that Strawberry Lake is the best crappy fishing lake in Livingston county.

Beginning at the Little Portage Lake in Washtenaw County, boat anglers can negotiate the following lakes in order. Big Portage, Base Line, Whitewood, Gallagher, Strawberry and Zukey. Each of these lakes contains fair to good fishing.

The public access site is located on the Huron River at its outflow from the southeast side of Big Portage Lake. A paved launch can handle large boats, and there is parking for 21 vehicles. However, the trip to Strawberry Lake will take a long time. For faster access, launch at Ted Cobb Boats and Motors (313-231-3800).

DNR District Office: 10650 S. Bennett Drive, Morrice, MI 48857. (517) 625-4600
Campgrounds: Pinckney Recreation Area, 8555 Silver Hill Rd., Pinckney, MI. (313) 426-4913
Chamber of Commerce: Greater Brighton Area Chamber, 131 Hyne St., Brighton, MI. (810) 227-5086