Winterizing Your Lake Cottage: A Checklist for Devils Lake, Wamplers Lake & Vineyard Lake Owners

Every fall around this time, I start getting the same calls. Cottage owners on Devils Lake, Wamplers Lake, Vineyard Lake, and the smaller lakes around the Irish Hills all start wondering the same thing: what do I actually need to do before the cold sets in? It’s a good question, and it’s worth answering properly instead of just saying “winterize it” and leaving you to guess.

Whether you live at the lake year-round or close it up for the season, here’s a real checklist, not just a list of vague reminders.

Start With the Water System

If your cottage is seasonal, the water system is the first thing to think about. A well line or water system that freezes can crack pipes and cost you a lot more than an afternoon of prep work would have. Have your system properly blown out and drained if you’re closing up for the season, and don’t forget outdoor spigots and any irrigation lines. If you’re staying through winter, make sure heat tape and insulation on exposed pipes are in good shape before the first hard freeze, not after.

Septic Systems Need Attention Too

Septic systems don’t love being ignored over a Michigan winter. If it’s been a couple years since your tank was pumped, fall is a smart time to do it before the ground freezes and access gets harder. A septic system in good working order going into winter is a lot less likely to give you a surprise in March.

Dock and Waterfront

Pulling the dock is the obvious one, but there’s more to it than just getting it out of the water. Check hardware for rust or wear while you have everything apart, since it’s a lot easier to replace a bracket in October than to discover it failed when you’re trying to put the dock back in come spring. If you have a hoist or lift, follow the manufacturer’s winterizing steps rather than just leaving it as is.

Boats and Watercraft

If you haven’t already gotten the boat out and winterized, don’t wait much longer. Fuel stabilizer, a proper engine flush, and fogging the cylinders if it’s an older engine all matter more than people expect. Kayaks and paddleboards should come out of the water too. Sun and ice are both hard on them if they’re left exposed all winter.

The Cottage Itself

Gutters cleared, exterior caulking checked, and any screens or storm windows swapped over. If the cottage sits empty most of the winter, it’s worth having someone check on it periodically, especially after heavy snow or a hard freeze. A small leak or a failed sump pump is a much bigger problem after three weeks unnoticed than after three days.

Think About Ice Ahead of Time

This one isn’t urgent in October, but it’s worth planning for now. If you or your family use the lake for ice fishing or winter recreation, get familiar with how ice conditions form on your specific lake before you need to make a judgment call on a cold January morning. Devils Lake, Wamplers Lake, and Vineyard Lake can all freeze at different rates depending on depth, current, and exposure, so local knowledge matters more than a general rule of thumb.

A Little Effort Now Saves a Lot Later

None of this is complicated, but it does take a little time, and it’s easy to put off until the first cold snap forces the issue. Getting ahead of it means you get to enjoy your spring opening instead of dealing with a repair bill.

If you’re thinking about buying or selling a lake cottage in the Irish Hills and want to know what winter maintenance really looks like on a specific lake, I’m happy to talk through it with you.

Larry Wetherby, ERA Reardon Real Estate
LarryWetherby.com
(517) 206-2294
Larry@LarryWetherby.com