Manistique River
The longest river entirely within Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The Manistique drains the swampy flatlands of the central UP — including the headwaters at Manistique Lake and the dramatic Big Spring (Kitch-iti-kipi, Michigan's largest spring) — and flows 71 miles south to Lake Michigan at the town of Manistique. The river is a slow-moving multi-day canoe trip through wild northern forest with excellent walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, and the headwaters tributaries hold native brook trout. Almost no road access for the middle 50 miles.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.