FAQs

Q: Why does the Sage Lake Association exist?
A: As stated in the Sage Lake Association bylaws, the association was organized for the betterment and preservation of Sage Lake. It is devoted to finding solutions to problems and promoting positive activities affecting Sage Lake and the members of the association. It is responsible for maintaining the lake level at the Department of Natural Resources’ established levels.

Q: How can I join?
A: There is a link to join the SLA here. Membership forms are also available at our monthly meetings May through August each summer. The membership fee is $45 annually per household.

Q: When are membership dues paid?
A: Membership runs May 1-April 30, and dues are paid by May 1 each year. Dues must be paid before June 30 to appear in the current year's member directory.

Q: What is the advantage of membership?
A: Members can vote at SLA meetings, serve on committees, run for office, and receive spring and fall newsletters, member directory, and email updates. They take pride in knowing their dues help make the Sage Lake community a better place to live and play. Some businesses give discounts to SLA members.

Q: Is there an advantage to attending the meetings?
A: Yes, there is a wealth of information shared at meetings. We come together to meet our neighbors and share information about the lake and the community.

Q: Where and how often are lake association meetings?
A: Sage Lake meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of May, June, July, and August. Every effort is made to keep the meetings to one hour long. See the event calendar for more details on meeting dates and locations.

Q: When are the elections of officers?
A: Elections take place at the August meeting. Officers are elected to a three-year term. The last election was in August 2022.

Q: If I can’t attend the August meeting, can I still vote for the candidates running for SLA office?
A: The most recent bylaws were adopted in 2019 and spell out the process for a member to vote absentee. You must be a current member to vote and run for office. Potential officers must make their candidacy known by the last Saturday in July of an election year. If any office is contested, absentee ballots will be mailed. They must be completed and returned by the Wednesday prior to the August meeting date.

Q: How can I help the SLA?
A: You can join the association if you don’t yet belong. You can volunteer for a committee or help with a project. You can also seek an office. We offer many opportunities for volunteers to help out at our events.

Q: What kind of fish are in the lake?
A: Large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, perch, rock bass, bullheads, and dogfish all swim the waters of Sage Lake. The SLA planted 5,000 8- to 10-inch walleye in the lake in the fall of 2022 This was an attempt to give walleye a start in Sage Lake. The SLA planted 1,000 pounds of fathead minnows and 2,000 hybrid bluegills in October 2020. The SLA plans to continue to stock walleye in the lake through 2026.

Q: What is Kids’ Fun Day?
A: Kids’ Fun Day is an annual event held each summer at Crusins Cones and Coneys. There are carnival-style games, lawn games such as sack races, and other fun activities for the kids. It’s a free event supported by the SLA.

Q: What are the watercraft rules for the lake?
A: A complete set of boating safety rules are posted at the DNR landing on the lake on Sage Lake Road and on the boating safety page of this website.

Q: When is the boating safety class?
A: Each summer, the SLA offers a free boating safety class. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is included. The Michigan DNR requires that boaters born after June 30, 1997, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan must have a boating safety certificate. The Ogemaw County Sheriff provides the instructors and materials for these classes. The class is required for all young boaters and is recommended for all new boaters.

Q: Where does weed control stand?
A: Sage Lake is treated for weeds approximately four times a year. Each time a treatment is to take place, all residents on the lake are notified by a card notice placed on or near their property. SLA members are also notified via email of upcoming treatments. For more details on Sage Lake weed control, see the Lake Maintenance page and/or attend SLA meetings.

Q: Why is the SLA raising funds? Aren’t the membership dues enough to fund its member needs?
A: The membership dues provide funds for the administrative needs of the organization. The SLA needs funds for mailings, informational materials, website maintenance, insurance, and administrative expenses. To pay for the fireworks, Fun Day and other social events, and fish stocking, we need to do fundraising as well. We also have a Neighborhood Watch and Safety program, and the funding for that program comes from donations and dues.

Q: When are the fireworks?
A: The SLA plans for fireworks on a Saturday close to the Fourth of July each year. They take place at 10:15 p.m. and can be seen over the lake. The fireworks are administered by a professional firm that is licensed and has liability insurance. The annual Firecracker 5K has supported the fireworks display since 2014. Thanks to Andria Auker-Tykocki and her family for allowing us to use their land for the fireworks launch.

Q: What does SLA do for fun?
A: The SLA plans many events each summer including a pontoon boat parade, Kids’ Fun Day, fishing tournaments, a 5K walk/run, the midwinter Fire & Ice Chili Party, SLA Member Meet & Greet, and a community-wide garage sale. See our event calendar for details. The SLA officers are open to suggestions for — and help executing — new activities.

Q: How do I find out when events are being held?
A: Calendar of events is included in each newsletter and posted on the website. In addition, SLA has large commercial signs at both ends of the lake displaying upcoming events. We also post activities on Facebook in the Friends of Sage Lake group.

Q: Why does the Sage Lake Association exist?
A: As stated in the Sage Lake Association bylaws, the association was organized for the betterment and preservation of Sage Lake. It is devoted to finding solutions to problems and promoting positive activities affecting Sage Lake and the members of the association. It is responsible for maintaining the lake level at the Department of Natural Resources’ established levels.

Q: How can I join?
A: There is a link to join the SLA here. Membership forms are also available at our monthly meetings May through August each summer. The membership fee is $45 annually per household.

Q: When are membership dues paid?
A: Membership runs May 1-April 30, and dues are paid by May 1 each year. Dues must be paid before June 30 to appear in the current year's member directory.

Q: What is the advantage of membership?
A: Members can vote at SLA meetings, serve on committees, run for office, and receive spring and fall newsletters, member directory, and email updates. They take pride in knowing their dues help make the Sage Lake community a better place to live and play. Some businesses give discounts to SLA members.

Q: Is there an advantage to attending the meetings?
A: Yes, there is a wealth of information shared at meetings. We come together to meet our neighbors and share information about the lake and the community.

Q: Where and how often are lake association meetings?
A: Sage Lake meetings are held at 10 a.m. on the last Saturday of May, June, July, and August. Every effort is made to keep the meetings to one hour long. See the event calendar for more details on meeting dates and locations.

Q: When are the elections of officers?
A: Elections take place at the August meeting. Officers are elected to a three-year term. The last election was in August 2022.

Q: If I can’t attend the August meeting, can I still vote for the candidates running for SLA office?
A: The most recent bylaws were adopted in 2019 and spell out the process for a member to vote absentee. You must be a current member to vote and run for office. Potential officers must make their candidacy known by the last Saturday in July of an election year. If any office is contested, absentee ballots will be mailed. They must be completed and returned by the Wednesday prior to the August meeting date.

Q: How can I help the SLA?
A: You can join the association if you don’t yet belong. You can volunteer for a committee or help with a project. You can also seek an office. We offer many opportunities for volunteers to help out at our events.

Q: What kind of fish are in the lake?
A: Large and smallmouth bass, northern pike, black crappie, bluegill, pumpkinseed, perch, rock bass, bullheads, and dogfish all swim the waters of Sage Lake. The SLA planted 5,000 8- to 10-inch walleye in the lake in the fall of 2022 This was an attempt to give walleye a start in Sage Lake. The SLA planted 1,000 pounds of fathead minnows and 2,000 hybrid bluegills in October 2020. The SLA plans to continue to stock walleye in the lake through 2026.

Q: What is Kids’ Fun Day?
A: Kids’ Fun Day is an annual event held each summer at Crusins Cones and Coneys. There are carnival-style games, lawn games such as sack races, and other fun activities for the kids. It’s a free event supported by the SLA.

Q: What are the watercraft rules for the lake?
A: A complete set of boating safety rules are posted at the DNR landing on the lake on Sage Lake Road and on the boating safety page of this website.

Q: When is the boating safety class?
A: Each summer, the SLA offers a free boating safety class. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is included. The Michigan DNR requires that boaters born after June 30, 1997, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan must have a boating safety certificate. The Ogemaw County Sheriff provides the instructors and materials for these classes. The class is required for all young boaters and is recommended for all new boaters.

Q: Where does weed control stand?
A: Sage Lake is treated for weeds approximately four times a year. Each time a treatment is to take place, all residents on the lake are notified by a card notice placed on or near their property. SLA members are also notified via email of upcoming treatments. For more details on Sage Lake weed control, see the Lake Maintenance page and/or attend SLA meetings.

Q: Why is the SLA raising funds? Aren’t the membership dues enough to fund its member needs?
A: The membership dues provide funds for the administrative needs of the organization. The SLA needs funds for mailings, informational materials, website maintenance, insurance, and administrative expenses. To pay for the fireworks, Fun Day and other social events, and fish stocking, we need to do fundraising as well. We also have a Neighborhood Watch and Safety program, and the funding for that program comes from donations and dues.

Q: When are the fireworks?
A: The SLA plans for fireworks on a Saturday close to the Fourth of July each year. They take place at 10:15 p.m. and can be seen over the lake. The fireworks are administered by a professional firm that is licensed and has liability insurance. The annual Firecracker 5K has supported the fireworks display since 2014. Thanks to Andria Auker-Tykocki and her family for allowing us to use their land for the fireworks launch.

Q: What does SLA do for fun?
A: The SLA plans many events each summer including a boat parade, Kids’ Fun Day, fishing tournaments, a 5K walk/run, the midwinter Fire & Ice Chili Party, SLA Member Meet & Greet, and a community-wide garage sale. See our event calendar for details. The SLA officers are open to suggestions for — and help executing — new activities.

Q: How do I find out when events are being held?
A: Calendar of events is included in each newsletter and posted on the website. In addition, SLA has large commercial signs at both ends of the lake displaying upcoming events. We also post activities on Facebook in the Friends of Sage Lake group.