Pontoon the Inland Waterway
Launch from Crooked Lake for a day (or days) on this lush 38-mile waterway that ends in Lake Huron. This historic Indigenous travel corridor utilizes 15 miles of twisting, cattail-narrowed rivers that connect a string of clear northern lakes, including Burt Lake and Mullet Lake, each a 25-plus-square-mile bowl of H2O. Pitch a lure for smallies, pike, muskie, or panfish. Bring binos for birds. Rent a float and tow the kids all day. For eats, pull up at tiny towns Alanson and Indian River to wander the sidewalks. Rent pontoon boats at Crooked Lake’s Windjammer Marina, and when the day is done, lay your head at Crooked River Lodge, where all rooms overlook the river.
Other great pontoon floats: Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay (on a calm day), Pickerel Lake, and Walloon Lake.
Other great pontoon floats: Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay (on a calm day), Pickerel Lake, and Walloon Lake.
Buzz Lake Charlevoix
At 12 miles long, Lake Charlevoix lays out a shimmering cobalt runway for a day on the water. Rent powerboats and source provisions in Boyne City, at the lake’s southeast end. Add water skis and a tube to boost adrenaline and laughs or tackle for hot fishing spots. (Hint: the weed-covered shallows of Horton Bay host loads of smallmouth bass.) The tiny burg of Horton Bay is also where Ernest Hemingway first married; grab one of his books at the Horton Bay General Store.
Boat and jet-ski rentals: Boyne Watersports, Boyne City.
Boat and jet-ski rentals: Boyne Watersports, Boyne City.
Fish Lake Michigan
Hoist a 25-pound Chinook (a.k.a. king salmon) and know the photo will travel. A half- or full-day charter on Lake Michigan can also help you hook an eight-to-ten-pound Atlantic salmon, steelhead, or lake trout. Just pack snacks, a fishing license, plus a bicep and a grip primed to reel. Captain and crew handle the rest. Consider Plumber’s Helper Charters out of Bay Harbor.
Bonus: a gorgeous day riding waves of the planet’s fourth-largest lake.
Bonus: a gorgeous day riding waves of the planet’s fourth-largest lake.
Fly-Fish the Jordan River
This cold and twisty stream with thicketed shore hides many a big brown, and they lure ardent anglers who know the river’s ways. Start by floating the Jordan’s six-mile middle run from Graves Crossing to Webster Bridge. Not great for wading, the stretch is swift and known for deep and clay-slippery holes, says guide Brian Kozminski of True North Trout.
Best results: Lace that fly in tight to the structure.
Best results: Lace that fly in tight to the structure.
Extra Lake Action
Target smallmouth bass that fill virtually all the area’s lakes. Curious and aggressive, they’re great to top-fish summer mornings and evenings. Try crankbait lures at Walloon Lake, Lake Charlevoix, and Crooked Lake.
Added adventure: Hike out along Waugoshance Point in Wilderness State Park and fly-cast the Sturgeon Bay shallows for monster smallies.
Added adventure: Hike out along Waugoshance Point in Wilderness State Park and fly-cast the Sturgeon Bay shallows for monster smallies.
Cruise the Inland Flats
Pair a simple canoe, kayak, or SUP with the quiet protected waters around Oden Island Nature Preserve on Crooked Lake. Slip in at the boat launch on Channel Road and trace the shore west. Loop the bay formed by island and mainland for a three-mile paddle, or stretch to nearly five miles by circling the island. Generally flat water and endless birding make this a vibrant and comfortable tour for beginners. Bigger inland lakes like Walloon Lake and Lake Charlevoix offer more miles. If gusty, seek a stretch of wind shadow cast by a valley bluff.
Kayak and SUP rentals: Bahnhof in Petoskey, and the Outfitter in Harbor Springs.
Kayak and SUP rentals: Bahnhof in Petoskey, and the Outfitter in Harbor Springs.
Tour the Sturgeon Bay Shore
Pick a flatwater evening with no winds on the radar and slide your paddlecraft into Lake Michigan at Sturgeon Bay Beach, north of Cross Village. Paddle north along the bluffs of Wilderness State Park to watch golden hour reflect on the water. Roll out a blanket to picnic on the beach. But get back before dark, as this fabulous excursion demands caution. Beyond the remote area—no houses, no roads, no people—this northern water can stay dangerously cold well into June.
Heads Up: Discuss safety with local outfitters and paddle safely. Check the weather forecast, dress for water immersion, and always wear a life jacket.
Heads Up: Discuss safety with local outfitters and paddle safely. Check the weather forecast, dress for water immersion, and always wear a life jacket.
Tamer Tastes of Big Water
Launch canoe, kayak, or SUP at Josephine Ford Park in Harbor Springs. Stick to the harbor, heading either west along nearby Harbor Point or east along the Wequetonsing shoreline. Both directions allow you to admire the area’s stately historic homes. (Safe paddling principles plus inclement weather and cold-water precautions still apply.)
Rafting the Sturgeon River
Swift and remote, the Sturgeon’s feisty spirit makes for a lively and refreshing trip in a guide-led raft. While summer trips provide a sure shot of adrenaline, rafting in winter is an unequaled experience. Enjoy surreal river travel through snowy woods by dressing warm (consider hand and foot warmers) to tackle moderate Class II rapids.
Book it: Contact Big Bear Adventures in nearby Indian River, or Jordan Valley Outfitters for winter rafting on the Jordan River (pictured).
Book it: Contact Big Bear Adventures in nearby Indian River, or Jordan Valley Outfitters for winter rafting on the Jordan River (pictured).
Where to Dry Off
Pond Hill Farm, the cafe-winery-brewery north of Harbor Springs, boasts delicious pizzas, renowned fresh salads, plus a family vibe with year-round activities (hello, corn maze and sledding hill!). Want to stay on the water? Launch a romantic two-hour sunset cruise with Little Traverse Bay Ferry Co. as a relaxing way to end the day.
