Little Sturgeon River Kayaking Guide
A note on geography first: the Little Sturgeon River in this guide is in Cheboygan County in the Lower Peninsula — not in the Upper Peninsula. It is a 12.3-mile stream flowing from Corey Lake to the Indian River, with its mouth at about 45.40528, -84.60889. It appears in this guide series because it was included in the assigned waterway list, but paddlers should understand it belongs to the northern Lower Peninsula's Inland Waterway country, not to any UP region.
No established paddling route, mileage, or public launch is documented for the Little Sturgeon River in the sources consulted. A 12-mile connector between Corey Lake and the Indian River sounds plausible as a paddle on paper, but plausibility is not documentation — there are no recorded put-ins, take-outs, or trip reports, and the stream's actual floatability, obstructions, and access are unconfirmed.
The surrounding Inland Waterway — Indian River, Mullett Lake, Burt Lake, Crooked Lake — is the established paddling venue in this area, with real launches and documented routes. Treat the Little Sturgeon as an unscouted tributary of that system until someone documents it properly.
Little Sturgeon River at a Glance
- Region: Northern Lower Peninsula — Cheboygan County (not the UP)
- Difficulty: Not a documented paddling route
- Character: 12.3-mile stream, Corey Lake to the Indian River
- Known for: A tributary of the Inland Waterway system
- Watch for: No verified launch or route; nearby Inland Waterway is the real venue
Paddling the Little Sturgeon River
No established route
No kayak itinerary is documented for the Little Sturgeon River. The 12.3-mile course from Corey Lake to the Indian River (mouth approximately 45.40528, -84.60889) has no recorded put-ins, take-outs, or mileage in the sources consulted. Do not assume it is floatable end to end.
The Inland Waterway as the alternative
This is Inland Waterway country — the Indian River and its connected lakes offer some of the northern Lower Peninsula's best-documented flatwater paddling, with public launches and established routes. Paddle that system, and scout the Little Sturgeon from its crossings if curiosity calls.
Hazards & Portages
Expect the standard small-stream hazards — strainers, logjams, beaver dams, shallow stretches — with no documented portages because there is no documented route. Verify land ownership at any crossing before scouting, as this is a mix of public and private land.
Access & Parking
No public boat launch or confirmed river access is documented for the Little Sturgeon River. Use the established Inland Waterway launches on the Indian River and area lakes, and check DNR maps before approaching the stream itself.
Map
Map shows the documented mouth reference point; no public launch is confirmed there.
Paddle It With the Club
The West Michigan Kayaking Club paddles rivers like the Little Sturgeon River all season long. Come float with us!