Lower Peninsula River Guide
Au Gres River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
A quiet, wooded river flowing to Saginaw Bay at the fishing town of Au Gres — with a short, easy bay-side paddle among cottages and commercial fishing history.
River History
The Au Gres rises in Hill Township, Ogemaw County, and flows about 47 miles to Saginaw Bay at the city of Au Gres. Its watershed covers roughly 450 square miles across Ogemaw, Iosco and Arenac counties.
The river once had an eastern branch that was cut off and rerouted along the Whitney Drain to Lake Huron north of town. Au Gres grew as a commercial fishing port, and fishing still defines the river mouth today.
Interactive River Map
Zoom and drag to follow the river. Confirm every launch on the ground before you commit to a shuttle.
River Overview
The best-documented paddle is the short Au Gres River Excursion from Point Lookout Harbor at the mouth north to Au Gres City Park — about 2 miles past cottages and fishing boats.
Upstream the river is smaller and quieter through rural and wooded country. Paddling information is limited above town, so scout access and conditions before planning longer trips.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no USGS gage paddlers rely on for the lower Au Gres. Lake Huron water levels and wind affect the river mouth.
If the USGS map doesn't load on your device, use the live gage links below.
No USGS gage commonly used by paddlers. Check the Saginaw Bay wind forecast before paddling near the mouth.
Paddling Character
- Class I, gentle current
- Cottages and harbor scenery near the mouth
- Quiet, wooded river upstream
- Busy with fishing boats in season
- Open-water exposure at Saginaw Bay
Michigan Water Trails
The Au Gres River Excursion (Point Lookout Harbor to Au Gres City Park, about 2 miles) is listed with the Saginaw Bay Blueways on Michigan Water Trails.
Arenac County also promotes local paddling access along its shoreline and rivers.
Dams & Portages
- No dams on the lower river
- Watch for boat wakes and harbor traffic near the mouth
Launches
| Point Lookout Harbor | Mouth of the river; start of the Excursion |
|---|---|
| Au Gres City Park | End of the Excursion |
| Au Gres DNR Boat Launch | Public ramp |
| Au Gres Delta Nature Preserve | Nature preserve access near the mouth |
Listed upstream to downstream. Access changes — check the county, city or DNR site before you go.
Camping
- Point Au Gres area and Arenac County campgrounds near town
- Tawas Point State Park and Huron National Forest campgrounds to the north
Wildlife & Fishing
- Walleye, perch and pike near the bay
- Shorebirds, herons, eagles and migrating waterfowl
- Commercial and sport fishing heritage at the mouth
Safety
- Wind and waves at Saginaw Bay
- Fishing-boat traffic and wakes
- Scout upstream access before longer trips
- Cold water in spring and fall
Best Time & Access
- May through October
- Calm mornings for the bay-side Excursion
- Spring and fall bird migration along Saginaw Bay
- Combine with a fish dinner in Au Gres
Trip Planning
- Point Lookout Harbor → Au Gres City Park (about 2 mi) — short, leisurely, beginner-friendly
- Upper river exploration — scout bridges for short wooded segments
Pair with the Rifle River guide — the Rifle reaches Saginaw Bay just south of Au Gres.
Check Saginaw Bay marine forecasts before any trip near the mouth.
River Difficulty
Class I American Whitewater classification
The Au Gres is Class I. The 2-mile Excursion is a relaxed beginner trip on calm days. Upstream segments are lightly documented, so plan them as exploratory trips for experienced members.
Quick Reference
| Length | About 47 miles |
|---|---|
| Flows into | Saginaw Bay at Au Gres |
| Class | I |
| Main hazard | Bay wind; boat traffic |
| USGS gage | None for paddlers |
| Water trail | Saginaw Bay Blueways listing |
Sources
- Au Gres River – Wikipedia
- Michigan Water Trails – Au Gres River Excursion
- Michigan Water Trails – Au Gres DNR Boat Launch
- National Rivers Project – Au Gres River
River conditions change with every storm. This guide is for trip planning only — scout, check gages and use your own judgment.
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