Big Rivers
Our rivers are not comparable to size of the Mississippi River or the Yellowstone River, but here are some that are pretty big for us.
St. Mary's River
Sault Ste. Marie, Mi. and Ontario. Atlantic Salmon. Steelhead. Chinook. Pink Salmon. As the drain plug for Lake Superior the St. Mary's River, which seperates the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula from Ontario carries a tremendous amount of water south for 68 miles to Lake Huron. It ranks 8th among American rivers for rate of flow. One of the most diverse fisheries in North America the St. Mary's is home to 80 species of fish, at least of which 44 spawn here. This incredible body of water is world renowned for the Atlantic Salmon fishery in the Rapids. The rapids stretch across much of the river below the International Bridge and have become very popular with steelhead and salmon fishermen. Steelhead enter the rapids first, showing up from Lake Huron in early to mid-May.The run peaks around Memorial Day and then continues until mid-June. Atlantics show up in the Rapids in early May and this fishing continues until mid-June also. In the fall Pinks and Chinooks hit t! he rapids until mid-October. If fishing the Rapids use the buddy system. Don't do it alone and have a wading staff. Its best to get a guide for the first time at least. Of couse the fishing in the river downstream from the rapids is also excellent trolling from a boat. Lodging. Several Motels in area. River Cove Condo's (906-632-7075) Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)Chocolay River
Marquette, Mi. Steelhead, Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Pink Salmon, Chinook Salmon . The Chocolay River rises in eastcentral Marquette County and flows north into Lake Superior at the village of Harvey about 4 miles east of Marquette.About 35 miles long the watershed is approximately 250 square miles. The Upper Chocolay drains permeable sand and gravel moraines in an area of steeply sloping glacial drift, which release and abundance of cold groundwater into many tributaries. Ninety percent of the river is ice free even during the coldest winters and the gravelly moraines provide an adundance of spawning habitat. Salmonoid reproduction here is excellent. The river is fished year-around. The Chocolay wea a fabled Steelhead stream in the 20th century and still has an excellent run today. Many Steelhead even overwinter in the river. Many fish rest in the downstream holes at bends in the river and at tributary mouths. Brook Trout are found in the upstream portions and in th! e tributaries. The river can be floated with a small canoe or kayak. Lodging: Nordic Bay Lodge; (800-892-9376) Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/Tackle Gander Mountain-(906-226-8300.
Manistique River
Manistique, Mi. (Rivermouth) Germfast, Mi. (Headwaters) Steelhead. Chinook Salmon.Brook Trout. Brook Trout fishing is good in the Upper Portion of the Manistique River just south of the confluence of the Main Branch and East Branch of the Fox. This is the beginning of the Manistique. From this point it twists and turns its way southwesterly some 50 miles adding several tributaries along the way and emptying into Lake Michigan at Manistique. The upper river is basically warm water and does not hold many trout. Below the Upper Dam in the city of Manistique there is a long flume which contains rapids and broken rocks and is wadeable. This area, of course, is where you'll find the Steelhead and Chinooks during their spawning runs. Other warm water species of fish are also very plentiful here. Motels in area. Guides -Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447)Escanaba River
Gwinn, Mi. Brook Trout. Brown Trout. The Escanaba River is one of the Upper Peninsula's largest river systems and has many miles of flotable water. Draining more than 900 square miles of remote hardwood forests and conifer swamps in the central U.P. from south of Marquette to Escanaba the river has several tributaries that form; most notably the East and West Branches and form a confluence to the mainstream near the village of Gwinn. The drainage area is found on the precambrian shield, with rugged outcroppings of rock, sheer cliffs, towering hardwood forests, and pine plains. It can be a very swift flowing river especially early in the spring run-off. One of the best Michigan rivers for trout the Escanaba and its tributaries offer a varied and challenging experience. For a float rip the main stream from Gwinn to the Boney Falls Basin (25 miles) is best. Just below Gwinn the East Branch dumps in and the fishing is great below the confluence. Also for a shorter trip there is access at Sawmill Creek about 10 miles below Gwinn. This is the best float area. The river runs about 40-60 feet wide and 3-4 feet deep over a bottom of solid stone mixed with sand. Riffles are spaced from 1/4 to 1/2 miles apart. Trout hang out in the alternating pools or at the base of the riffles. Like a Western river it is wide open for flyfishing and is wadeable. Fishing pressure is light. Guides Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447) Canoe and Kayak Rentals Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447). Fly/Bait/Tackle Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)Fox River
Seney, MI. Brook Trout. The Fox River rises from a semi-open marsh draining the Deadman Lake in eastern Alger County about 10 miles southwest of Grand Maris. It flows in a southeasterly direction for 35 miles mostly in Schoolcraft County until it empties into the Manistique River near the village of Germfask. The Fox River Basin is about 10 miles wide and 26 miles long. An excellent brook Trout Stream it is widely accepted that this is the river Ernest Hemingway fished when he wrote the Nick Adams stories and not the Big Two-Hearted. No one knows for sure but they are both excellent Brook Trout streams. The Fox and its east Branch have been included in Michigan's Natural Rivers Program. In addition, 18 miles of the Main Stream above Seney and 15 miles of the East Branch from M-77 to the Luce County line have beeen designated Michigan Blue Ribbon Trout streams. It is still possible to catch the 2 or 3 pound Brookie here although most are in the 10-11 inch range. It is a beautiful pristene trout stream largely unchanged since the days of Hemingway's visit. It is not an easy stream to flyfish or canoe. But, those with some skills at both pursuits will be amply rewarded. Lodging. Seney, Mi. Motels. Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters. (906-228-5447)Laughing Whitefish River
Deerton, Mi. Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Pink Salmon,Brook Trout. The Laughing Whitefish River flows north for about 20 miles through hilly and rolling hardwoods before emptying into Lake Superior about midway between Marquette and Munising. A beautiful lightning-quick stream due to its steep gradient the river runs cold and clear over a slick bottom of broken rocks, gravel cobblestones and boulders. Be sure to wear felt soled waders or carry a staff.Several unnamed tributaries less than a mile in length add volume to the flow which is bankful in the spring and fall and often slower in the summer. This river continues to produce nice steelhead in the spring and pink salmon runs in the fall. Best fishing is the rivermouth, downstream from M-28 to the campground, and upstream from M-28 to the Soo Line Railroad Tracks in Deerton. Lodge: Whitefish Lodge (906-343-6762) Guides- Uncle Ducky Outfitters (906-228-5447) Fly/Bait/Tackle- Gander Mountain (906-226-8300)Brule River
The Brule River runs nearly the full length of Iron County, Michigan's southern boundary withFforest and Florence counties, Wisconsin.Begining at Brule Lake in Michigan and flowing southeast for about 50 milles before passing into the Brule Island Flowage and the Menominee River. Several key tributaries enter enroute. The entire watershed drains 193 square miles and includes nearly 100 miles of fishable trout streams in Michigan including the Iron and Paint Rivers. Best stretch is this. Three miles below Elvoy Creek M-73 crosses the river, and from here to M-179 the Brule has been designated a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream. Gradually ther streambed changes to one of gravel and cobble size stone yet with the exception of of a few deep holes it remains shallow and broad, 60-80 feet, for the first two or 3 miles. Brook and Brown Trout fishing is great in this stretch. M-73 is not a good access point. The first good spot downstream is accessible from USFS-2172 on the Wisconsin side in the Nicolet National Forest, whose northern boundary runs along the river for several miles. Go south on M-73 to USFS-2457 and then 4-5 miles to USFS-2172 then 5 miles to the river. a campground is located here. A current fishing license from either state is valid. but consult a Michigan Fishing Guide for special regulations. Motels in Iron River, Mi. Guides- Uncle Ducky Outifitters (906-228-5447)Two-Hearted River
Newberry, Mi. Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, The Two-Hearted River and its four branches run west to east across northern Luce County for over 100 miles. The system made famous by the Ernest Hemingway "Nick Adams Stories" bears the same name and drains a watershed of over 180 square miles of mostly remote lowland forests, marsh and bog. The high quality of the tea-colored water reflects relatively undisturbed natural conditions. The Two-hearted is the only Michigan stream to be designated a wilderness river under the states Natural Rivers program. Most of it can be fly-fished and fishing pressure on the upper reaches is low to moderate. It is canoeable from the High Bridge on County Road 407 to the mouth. At the mouth is the Rainbow Lodge. Motel, Store- (906-658-3357) Motels and Resorts around Newberry. Guides and Canoe Rentals- Uncle Ducky Outifitters (906-228-5447)
