The National Rivers Website, Rivers of Michigan:
Overview of rivers in Michigan
Michigan has 36,350 miles of rivers and streams, of which one-third are trout streams. At 262 miles, the Grand River is the longest river Michigan. Michigan has 62 major watersheds - 26 drain to Lake Michigan, 15 to Lake Huron, 13 to Lake Superior, and 8 to lakes Erie and St. Clair. The largest Michigan watershed (the land area drained by a river system) is the Saginaw River watershed, covering over 8000 square miles. Six Michigan rivers form a border with another State or Country - the Montreal, Brule and Menominee rivers (Wisconsin); and the St. Marys, St. Clair, and Detroit rivers (Ontario). Michigan rivers have over 150 waterfalls - all but Ocqueoc Falls are in the Upper Peninsula.
River name: AuSable
Location: Central lower peninsula
Length: 120 miles
Originates: lowlands north of Grayling
Empties into: Lake Huron, at Oscoda
Paddling opportunities: Many, from Grayling to Lake Huron the river is excellent for extended canoe camping. Many campsites and access points along its entire length. During peak summer months it can be crowded near the towns of Grayling and Mio. Weekdays and off season river offers remote scenic paddling. No whitewater, five dams to portage all are well marked and relatively easy.
Fishing opportunities: Excellent trout fishing near Grayling and Mio. Warmwater species in dam impoundments.River name: Big Two Hearted
Location: Eastern Upper Peninsula
Length: 28 miles from High Bridge (H-37) to mouth
Originates: Northeastern Luce County
Empties into: Lake Superior
Paddling opportunities: Canoeable from High Bridge to mouth, however section between High Bridge and Reed and Green Bridge has many sweepers and pullovers. From Reed and Green Bridge down the river is relatively open with gravel bars and sweepers to maneuver around. A nice paddle, very scenic and remote.
Fishing opportunities: Excellent brook trout fishing for most of its length.River name: Flint
River Location: Southeastern Lower Peninsula
Length: From Holloway Dam to Saginaw River about 65 miles
Originates: Farmlands of western Lapeer County
Empties into: Saginaw River, Lake Huron
Paddling opportunities: Between Holloway Dam and Mott Lake, the river passes through the Genesee County Park system and offers a very remote feeling for being so close to a major metropolitan area. Good wildlife viewing, with whitetail deer,and waterfowl. River can rise quickly during seasonal thaws or after heavy rains. Use caution, check conditions before paddling.
Fishing opportunities: Walleye fishery has been improving steadily every year.River name: Muskegon
Location: Central lower peninsula
Length: 230 miles Originates: Houghton Lake, Roscommon County
Empties into: Lake Michigan
Paddling opportunities: Canoeable for its entire length with numerous access points and campsites. Excellent for extended canoe camping.
Fishing opportunities: Very diverse, brown trout, brook trout, smallmouth bass, northern pike. Walleye fishing is said to be excellent in many of the impoundments.River name: Tahquamenon
Location: Easter Upper Peninsula
Length: Approx. 100 miles
Originates: Southeastern Alger County
Empties into: Lake Superior at Whitefish bay
Paddling opportunities: Can be canoed from Long lake (County rd. 421) to Lake Superior however the section between CR.. 421 and CR.. 422 has many downed trees to maneuver around and over. From CR.. 442 on river is paddle friendly except for three portages. the first is at Dollarville dam, (easy) portage on right. The remaining two portages are the upper and lower Tahquamenon Falls, use caution, check with Tahquamenon Falls State Park for information.(906) 492-3415.
Fishing opportunities: Good brook trout fishing in upper stretch above McMillan. McMillan to dollarville flooding has perch, walleye, bass, pike, and muskie. Section between upper and lower falls is said to be excellent for brook trout.River name: Lake Superior? Not usually thought of as a river but technically it is a very slow moving river with an estimated 190 year turnover rate. It is important to remember that all of Michigan’s Rivers and Streams empty into the Great Lakes. What we put into them will eventually end up in the largest freshwater reservoir on earth. With Lake Superior’s slow turnover rate what we do today will affect many future generations. The best way to protect this resource is to make sure all of our rivers and streams are entrusted to public ownership, with an informed citizenry to watch over them. A NORS membership will help accomplish this.
The ultimate goal of this website is to have an overview and description for all of Michigan's major rivers and trout streams. This site will be updated on a regular basis. Your questions, comments, and suggestions are welcome. Email: alwissin@up.net. Phone: (906) 494-2745; or Al Wissinger, P.O. BOX 208, Grand Marais Michigan. Al Wissinger, Michigan State Director, The National Organization for Rivers (NORS).
Additional information on the rivers of Michigan are described in books and videos available from the NORS Resource Center.
(If you would like to post an overview of the rivers in Michigan, please post it to the River Rendezvous, State River News, Michigan News and Opinions section, or e-mail it to us at nors@rmi.net, and we will insert it here.)
The National Rivers Website and the Rivers of Michigan section are made possible by the generosity of the members of the National Organization for Rivers (NORS.) To start or extend your membership, go to NORS Memberships.
Back to the Rivers of Michigan menu. | Back to the River Registry menu.
The
National Organization for Rivers (NORS)
Membership Offices:
212 West Cheyenne Mountain
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
(719) 579-8759. Fax (719) 576-6238.
nors@rmi.net
Copyright © 1999 by the National Organization for Rivers. All rights reserved. 3.
The National
Rivers Website is part of
Adventure Sports
Online.