Blind Sucker River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The Blind Sucker River began life as the Sucker River — and got its stranger name from the logging era. Around 1900, loggers blocked the river off and rerouted it to force its flow directly into Grand Marais Harbor, sparing themselves the job of driving logs thirteen miles along open Lake Superior shoreline to the sawmill. The "blinded" river kept the name Blind Sucker. The river now begins within the Blind Sucker Flooding, a wildlife flooding first proposed in 1936 with construction to be done by the Civilian Conservation Corps — but the CCC was disbanded before work began. Discussion resumed in the 1940s, the Luce County Board of Supervisors approved the project in 1950, and the flooding was filled in 1955, quickly becoming a popular angling destination. The two state forest campgrounds were completed soon after.

The Michigan DNR prepared its first wildlife management plan for the flooding in 1962, proposing a stable water level with occasional drawdowns for aquatic vegetation control — though only one drawdown has ever occurred (stoplogs removed in fall 1987, reinstalled spring 1990). A DNR fisheries status report (2008-50) documents the flooding's fish community and notes increasing use of the flooding for bird watching, canoeing, and kayaking. The river above the flooding dam is listed by the DNR as designated trout water. The Blind Sucker Pathway, a 6.5-mile hiking trail, loops through the surrounding forest. The river carries no Natural River or Wild and Scenic designation.

Interactive River Map

Tap a pin for details. Pinch or use the + / – buttons to zoom.

• Launch / take-out
• Dam / portage
• USGS gage
• Camping

Pins marked (approx.) are approximate — confirm exact access spots before a club trip.

River Overview

Headwaters

The Blind Sucker River now begins within the Blind Sucker Flooding itself, which fills with groundwater seepage from surrounding glacial deposits and springs off a five-mile-long, 100-plus-foot escarpment arcing along the flooding's south side. The Dead Sucker River — a 4.4-mile tributary — drains the large wetland complex in the middle of the flooding, though it carries little current. Above the flooding's control structure, the DNR lists the river as designated trout water.

The Flooding

The flooding was originally estimated at 1,050 acres; a modern aerial estimate puts it around 407 acres. A 2007 DNR netting survey found a maximum depth of just 6 feet, darkly stained but clear water, log deadheads, and a small grassy island — classic north-woods flooding character. Surface water temperature reached 70°F in late August 2007.

Lower River & Mouth

Below the flooding's control structure, the Blind Sucker River runs north to Lake Superior, entering the big lake at about 46.67972, -85.67806, near Deer Park and just east of Muskallonge Lake State Park. This lower reach is narrow, remote, and unscouted by the club.

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

No active USGS stream gage is documented on the Blind Sucker River. The nearest live gages (Tahquamenon River near Paradise, Manistique River near Manistique) are on entirely different watersheds and only hint at regional wet/dry trends.

USGS Interactive Map

Explore every USGS stream gage on and near the river. Tap a site for live flow and gage height.

Water-Level Considerations

Typical Water Temperature

The flooding's dark, shallow water warms fast — DNR measured 70°F surface temperature in late August. The river reaches stay cooler, and Lake Superior at the mouth is cold enough for cold shock year-round.

Paddling Character

Blind Sucker Flooding

The paddling destination: hundreds of acres of still, dark, clear water dotted with deadheads and fringed by alder thickets, peatlands, and hardwood–pine–hemlock shoreline. Maximum depth is about six feet. It is easy, sheltered paddling — but keep a sharp eye for submerged deadheads, especially in low light.

River Above the Flooding

Designated trout water in a wetland–forest mosaic. Narrow, likely brushy, and unscouted by the club — exploratory only.

River Below the Dam to Lake Superior

A short, remote run from the control structure to the big lake. Conditions undocumented — scout fully before attempting, and portage the dam with a wide berth.

Lake Superior at the Mouth

Open big-water paddling near Deer Park. Go only on calm mornings, stay near shore as a group, and treat fog and waves with full respect.

Recommended Boats

• Recreational kayak
• Canoe
• Touring kayak (Lake Superior shore)
• Sea kayak (Lake Superior shore)

Potential Hazards

• Submerged deadheads in the flooding
• The flooding dam — portage, never run
• Cold Lake Superior water
• Waves & fog on the big lake
• Biting insects (June black flies)
• Remoteness & poor cell coverage

Michigan Water Trails

No designated water trail was found on the Blind Sucker River. Check the current trail directory before your trip.

Source: michiganwatertrails.org. Access sites on each trail page appear on its live map.

Dams & Portages

The Blind Sucker Flooding control structure (DNR, in Section 1) holds the flooding at its managed level. Portage around it on shore — the exact portage route is not documented in public sources.

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

Both state forest campgrounds have DNR boat launches on the flooding — the best-documented access of any river in this batch.

Ramps are described as hard-surface (No. 1, medium watercraft) and gravel (No. 2). Some individual campsites allow boats to be grounded right at the site.

Camping

Two rustic DNR state forest campgrounds sit near the flooding dam, one on each side — this is one of the easiest base camps for a remote UP paddle weekend.

State forest campgrounds are first-come, first-served unless posted otherwise. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for motor-vehicle entry.

Wildlife & Fishing

• Northern pike (some trophy)
• White suckers
• Yellow perch
• Pumpkinseed sunfish
• Rock bass
• Trout (river above dam — DNR designated)

Fishing

The DNR's 2008 status report found white suckers making up over 55% of the flooding's fish biomass, with a popular northern pike fishery including occasional trophy fish. The river above the flooding dam is listed as designated trout water in DNR Fisheries Order 210 — check the current DNR fishing guide for seasons and regulations.

Wildlife

Moose, black bear, bald eagles, loons, river otters, beavers, and abundant waterfowl — the flooding's marsh edges are prime wildlife water, and fall brings waterfowl hunting.

Fish Consumption

Check the current MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guide for species- and waterbody-specific advisories before keeping fish.

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Bilge pump
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• GPS / navigation
• Emergency communication
• Cold-water protection (Lake Superior, always)
• Headnet & bug protection (June)

River-Specific Concerns

The flooding is forgiving water, but it is a long way from help: no services, poor cell coverage, and a maze of deadheads just under the dark surface. Portage the dam — never approach the control structure in a boat. June brings legendary UP black flies; fall brings waterfowl and deer hunters, so wear blaze orange ashore. At the Lake Superior mouth, cold shock, waves, and fog are the real hazards — treat the big lake as a separate, expert-only venue.

Calling 911: give your GPS coordinates, the county (Luce), and the landmark — "Blind Sucker State Forest Campground No. 1 (or No. 2), off County Road 407 / H-37 area." Carry a satellite communicator.

Best Time & Access

Best Months

June through early October. Late June–July for warm flooding water; September–early October for color, fewer bugs, and quiet campgrounds.

Crowds

Light. The campgrounds logged about 6,000 camper-days in FY2002 — busy for the deep UP, but nothing like a Lower Peninsula weekend.

Hunting Seasons

Fall waterfowl hunting and furbearer trapping are traditional uses here; deer seasons run through the fall — wear blaze orange ashore. Check the current DNR hunting digest.

Shuttle & Livery

No liveries operate on the Blind Sucker. The nearest rental shops are in Newberry or Grand Marais — confirm availability before counting on one.

Parking Passes

A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for motor-vehicle entry to the state forest campgrounds and DNR boating access sites.

Watercraft Permits

Michigan requires no general paddling permit; motorized craft need registration.

Local Rules

State forest campground rules apply (quiet hours, stay limits, pack out trash). The Blind Sucker Pathway is a hiking trail — check its posted uses.