Manistee River Detail

PlayMap.net

M-72 to CCC Bridge

Mostly passing through state land, with some sections of cottage developments.

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Steady current, generally 50′ wide and less than 3′ deep with sand and gravel bottom.
  • Bank Conditions. Generally State Forest woods, with sections of private land.
  • Development. Periodic riverside cottages.

Access Notes

  • M-72 Bridge.
  • Portage Creek. Poor. Steep climb, bad road parking, little launch room.
  • CCC Bridge. At CCC Campground. On left, just downstream of CCC Bridge. Deck with 10 +/- stairs and 100’+/- walk to parking. Trailer parking 5+/-.
  • Staging Distance. 13.5.

Statistics

  • Length: 17.8 miles. M-72 to Portage Creek Road: 5.1 mi. Portage Creek Rd to Portage Creek Mouth: 5.8 mi. Portage Creek Mouth to CCC Bridge: 6.9 mi.
  • Duration: 6 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks within the State Forest are accessible for stopping.
  • Nature: Mostly natural state lands, with periodic stretches of cottage developments.
  • Fishing. Fly fishing only.

CCC Bridge to Sharon Road

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. Easy navigation with minor downed tree obstacles. Wide waterway, gravel bottom and rare for depth to exceed 5′. Clean and clear water.
  • Bank Conditions. Primarily upland evergreen and hardwood mix forest.
  • Development. Periodic small cottages, otherwise primarily undeveloped.

Access Notes

  • CCC Bridge. At CCC Campground. On left, just downstream of CCC Bridge. Deck with 10 +/- stairs and 100’+/- walk to parking. Trailer parking 5+/-.
  • King Road B. On left. Deck with 10 +/- stairs to parking. Parking 20+/-. Trailer Parking 5+/-.
  • Three Mile Bend. On left. Deck with 10 +/- stairs to parking. Parking 10+/-. Trailer parking 5+/-.
  • N Sharon Road. On left. Roadside parking. 100’+/- grassy hill access.
  • Staging Distance. 7.4 miles.

Statistics

  • Length: 11.1 miles. CCC Bridge to Three Mile Bend: 4.3 mi. Three Mile Bend to Sharon Road: 6.8 mi.
  • Duration: 5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks are accessible for stopping within the State Forest.
  • Nature: Bird watching.
  • Fishing: Trout stream fly fishing.

Sharon Road to M-66

Go To Play Plan

Conditions

  • River Conditions. XXX.
  • Bank Conditions. XXX.
  • Development. XXX.

Access Notes

  • N Sharon Road. On left. Roadside parking. 100’+/- grassy hill access.
  • W Sharon Road. Right side. Easy drive to access. Extensive parking, separate lot.
  • Dutch John.
  • M-66. Just below the bridge on the right.
  • Staging Distance. 10.5 mi.

Statistics

  • Length: 10.6 miles. Sharon Rd to Dutch John: 6.8 mi. Dutch John to M-66: 3.8 mi.
  • Duration: 5 hours.
  • Difficulty: [D] Beginner. Wide area, rare obstructions, gentle current.
  • Current: [C] Slow current visible on surface.

River Play

  • River Break: Banks are accessible for stopping within the State Forest.
  • Nature: Bird watching.
  • Fishing: .