South Chain Lake (also known as Szmanda Lake) is located near the southern end of the chain, north of Western Avenue and west of Country Club and Peppermint Roads. The sloping golf course greens of South Bend Country Club border the east side of the lake, while private residential properties border the west and south shores, with trees and private boat docks along the banks.
South Chain Lake covers an area of 155 acres and consists of two large areas of open water, connected by a shallower channel, with muck mat on the north and south ends. Dense forest transitions into dense shrubbery, then muck mat with reeds, sedges, and emergent aquatic vegetation.
There is no public access. There is limited information about the lake, and an ecological survey is needed to identify the animal and plant species present and to more fully understand the environment of this location.