Laughing Whitefish River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows

River History

The river's name is Ojibwa in origin: the river mouth was said to resemble a "laughing fish." The access site to the river is named for John Hammar, handyman to George Shiras III — the wildlife photographer credited with developing flash photography, acclaimed at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, where he won a gold medal. Michigan Supreme Court Justice John D. Voelker, writing as Robert Traver, published the novel Laughing Whitefish in 1965, fixing the name in Michigan literature.

The Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park was established in 1946 and now protects 960 acres along the river in Onota and Rock River Townships, administered by the Michigan DNR. The falls themselves are formed where the river crosses an abrupt limestone escarpment — the same kind of escarpment that makes so many Alger County waterfalls — dropping 100 feet as a fan-shaped cascade through a gorge of old-growth white pine and hemlock. The river is neither a designated Natural River nor a National Wild and Scenic River.

Interactive River Map

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

• Launch / take-out
• Falls — do not paddle
• Reference point
• Camping

Pins marked (approx.) are approximate — confirm exact access spots before a club trip. There are no developed launches on this river.

River Overview

Headwaters

The Laughing Whitefish River — not to be confused with the separate Whitefish River (Delta County) or the Lower Peninsula's White River — rises in eastern Marquette County and flows east, then north, through Alger County's Onota and Rock River Townships. About eight miles south of Lake Superior and three miles north of M-94, it pours over Laughing Whitefish Falls, then continues north through the Escanaba River State Forest to its mouth on Lake Superior at 46.52500, -87.02861, a few miles north of Deerton. The river is 19.4 miles long with a 36-square-mile watershed.

Character of Each Section

Headwaters to the falls: a small, cold forest stream through the Hiawatha National Forest and Escanaba River State Forest — the only reach with any paddling potential, and even that is unconfirmed in paddling sources . The falls gorge: a 100-foot fan cascade through a limestone gorge with old-growth pine and hemlock — a hiking destination (half-mile trail, three observation platforms, 137 stairs to the lower platform), absolutely not a paddling section. Falls to Lake Superior (~8 miles): a short lower reach through state forest to the big lake — access and paddling conditions unconfirmed .

USGS Flow & Water Conditions

USGS Gages

On this river

None — the Laughing Whitefish River is ungauged

Nearest gage

04044003 — Dead River at Marquette, ~21 miles away; useful only for regional conditions

USGS Interactive Map

No gages on this river — use the regional map for context only. Paddling decisions here come from local knowledge, not a gage.

Water-Level Considerations

No published paddling flow ranges exist for this river. Typical summer water temperature: cold, likely 50s–60s °F .

Paddling Character

Recommended Boats

• None confirmed — expert local knowledge only

Best Conditions

Honestly, this river is a hiking and sightseeing destination for paddlers, not a paddling destination. The falls draw visitors from across the Upper Peninsula; anyone putting a boat in needs confirmed local knowledge of the reach above the falls and a firm turnaround point well upstream of the gorge.

Potential Hazards

• 100-ft waterfall mid-river
• Slippery rocks at the falls
• Ungauged, unpredictable levels
• Cold water
• Extreme remoteness
• No cell coverage
• Seasonal muddy access roads

Michigan Water Trails

Not a state-designated water trail. The Laughing Whitefish River has no designated water trail; it reaches Lake Superior a few miles north of Deerton. The North Country Trail crosses through the north end of Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park, with a 1.9-mile spur connecting to the falls trail — a hiking connection, not a paddling one.

Dams & Portages

No dams are known on the Laughing Whitefish River . The river's great obstacle is natural and far more absolute than any dam:

Public Kayak & Canoe Launches

There are no developed kayak or canoe launches on the Laughing Whitefish River. The access points below are bridge crossings and road access — confirm each one locally before planning any paddle.

Laughing Whitefish Falls State Park is day-use hiking only — not a water access point.

Camping

Wildlife & Fishing

• Brook trout

Stream Fishing

A small, cold forest stream of the type that holds brook trout — but specific regulations, access and fish populations are unconfirmed in published sources. Check the current Michigan DNR fishing guide for the stream type and season before fishing.

Seasons

Trout season on most UP streams runs from the last Saturday in April through September 30 — verify the stream's type in the current DNR fishing guide.

Wildlife

White-tailed deer, black bear, beaver and bald eagles in the surrounding state and national forest .

Eat Safe Fish

Check the current MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guide for the Laughing Whitefish River before eating your catch.

Safety

Required / Recommended Gear

• PFD worn at all times
• Paddle + spare
• Whistle
• Dry bag
• First-aid kit
• GPS / navigation
• Emergency communication
• Sturdy footwear (falls trail)
• Bug protection

River-Specific Concerns

The falls are the whole story: a 100-foot cascade with a slippery gorge, 137 stairs to the lower platform, and no cell coverage. At the falls, stay on the marked trails and platforms. On the water, the river is small, ungauged and remote — a sprained ankle at a bridge crossing can become a real problem when no one drives by for hours.

Emergency Info

Nearest Hospital

UP Health System–Marquette, 850 W Baraga Ave, Marquette — (906) 449-3000 (Level II trauma)

911 Tips

Give dispatchers GPS coordinates and the nearest road (M-94, CR 327/Sundell Road, Peter White Road). A satellite communicator is strongly recommended — there is no cell signal at the falls.

Contamination

No specific advisory confirmed; check current EGLE advisories and the MDHHS Eat Safe Fish guide before the trip.

Best Time & Access

Best Months

For the falls: late April–May (spring melt) or after heavy rain. For paddling: unconfirmed .

Summer

The falls shrink to a trickle in dry summers; the upper river may be too low to paddle. Black flies and mosquitoes are fierce in June.

Fall

Good color in the beech-maple forest; quiet. Hunting seasons are on — wear blaze orange.

Winter

The park road is seasonal and unplowed — winter access is by snowshoe or ungroomed ski trail only.

Hunting Seasons

Deer archery generally Oct 1–Nov 14, firearm generally Nov 15–30 — verify exact dates in the current DNR hunting digest.

Shuttle / Livery

None on this river — self-supported only .

Parking Passes

Michigan Recreation Passport required at the state park; the access road can be very muddy — high-clearance vehicle recommended.

Local Rules

Day-use only at the state park; pets on a 6-foot leash; pack out all trash — there are no trash cans.

Trip Planning

Best One-Day Trip

Hike the falls: half-mile trail to three observation platforms, 1.9-mile North Country Trail spur for more miles.

Best Paddling

Unconfirmed — this river is not an established paddling destination. Any boat trip here is exploratory and expert-only .

Packing

Full hiking kit for the falls; for any paddling, full cold-water and self-rescue kit, satellite communicator, paper maps.

Leave No Trace

Pack out everything — the state park has no trash cans.

Clean Drain Dry

Clean, drain and dry boats and gear between waterways to stop invasive species.