Lower river
Slow and marshy
Winding, slow water through marsh. Great for wildlife.
Upper Peninsula River Guide / Chippewa County to Munuscong Lake on the St. Marys River
Munuscong River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A slow eastern UP river that winds through the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area to Munuscong Lake, a wide, marshy part of the St. Marys River. A state forest campground with a boat launch sits right on the river, so you can paddle from your campsite.
RegionEastern Upper Peninsula
CountiesChippewa
WatershedSt. Marys River
Great Lake BasinLake Huron
River LengthAbout 32 miles
PaddleableLower river and Munuscong Lake
Best SeasonJune to September
MouthMunuscong Lake, St. Marys River
Before you launch: freighters and open water
- St. Marys River shipping: Munuscong Lake is part of the St. Marys River shipping route. Stay well out of the channel and away from freighters.
- Wind on Munuscong Lake: the lake is wide and shallow, and wind builds waves fast.
- Hunting season: the state wildlife area is popular with waterfowl hunters in fall. Wear bright colors.
- Small upper river: above the lower river, expect brush and shallow water.
River History
The Munuscong country, between Pickford and the St. Marys River, was settled for farming and logging in the late 1800s. Munuscong Lake, a wide arm of the St. Marys River, became an important stretch of the shipping route between Lake Superior and Lake Huron.
Today the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area protects marshes along the river and lake for waterfowl, and the Munuscong River State Forest Campground gives paddlers a base right on the river.
River Map
River Overview
The Munuscong River flows about 32 miles through Chippewa County to Munuscong Lake, part of the St. Marys River system that drains Lake Superior into Lake Huron. Its lower river winds through marsh in the state wildlife area.
Upper river
Small stream through forest and farmland near Pickford.
Lower river
Slow, marshy water through the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area.
Munuscong River State Forest Campground
Campground and boat launch on the river.
Munuscong Lake
Wide, shallow arm of the St. Marys River, with the shipping channel offshore.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Munuscong. The Pine River near Rudyard is the closest live gage. Near the mouth, St. Marys River levels and wind matter more.
How to read it
The lower river's depth follows the St. Marys River, so it's paddleable most of the season.
Check the wind before heading onto Munuscong Lake.
Paddling Character
Munuscong Lake
Big, open water
Wide and shallow, with shipping traffic offshore. Calm days only.
Michigan Water Trails
The Munuscong is not a designated water trail. The St. Marys River and the Les Cheneaux Islands nearby are part of Michigan's Great Lakes water trail network.
Check the official list for updates, since new trails are added over time.
Michigan Water TrailsDams & Portages
Chippewa County
No dams on the lower river
We didn't find any dams on the paddling stretch.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Lower river
Munuscong River State Forest Campground launch
Boat launch on the river inside the campground, in the state wildlife area.
MapCamping
Lower river
Munuscong River State Forest Campground
25 rustic sites along the river, with a boat launch, vault toilets and hand-pump water. First come, first served.
St. Marys River
Other area campgrounds
Campgrounds near DeTour Village and Sault Ste. Marie work as a base too.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
The Munuscong marshes are excellent waterfowl habitat, with ducks, geese, sandhill cranes, herons, eagles and ospreys. Moose and black bear live in the surrounding forest.
Fishing
Munuscong Lake and the St. Marys River are known for walleye, pike, perch and yellow perch. Check the current fishing guide.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Stay far from the St. Marys River shipping channel.
- Watch the wind on Munuscong Lake.
- Wear bright colors during waterfowl season.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Recreation Passport is required at the state forest campground.
- State wildlife area rules apply, including hunting seasons.
- A Michigan Recreation Passport is needed at state parks and many state-run launches.
- Much of the riverbank is private. Stop only on public land or where you have permission.
- Leave No Trace: pack out all trash.
What to pack
- Spare paddle, bilge pump, throw bag and whistle
- Dry bag with warm layers
- Map or GPS track with your take-out marked
- Marine forecast checked before launch
- Bug spray for marsh paddling
Best Time & Access
Spring
High water and migrating birds. Cold.
Summer
The best time for the river and lake.
Fall
Great birding, but waterfowl hunters are out.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, the Munuscong River campground is about four and three-quarter hours north. Take US-131 and I-75 across the Mackinac Bridge, then M-48 and county roads toward Pickford and Munuscong.
Trip Planning
Camp and paddle
Stay at the state forest campground and launch from camp.
Marsh paddle
Explore the lower river's marshes on a calm morning.
Combine
Pair with the St. Marys River and the Les Cheneaux Islands.
Check before you go
Look at the wind forecast and hunting seasons.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The lower Munuscong is easy flatwater, rated Class I. Wind and shipping on Munuscong Lake are the real challenges.
Lower Munuscong River
Slow, easy water through marsh.
Munuscong Lake
Calm days only. Stay away from shipping.
Quick Reference
| Mouth | Munuscong Lake, St. Marys River |
|---|---|
| Length | About 32 miles |
| Launch | Munuscong River State Forest Campground |
| Camping | 25 rustic sites on the river |
| Gage | None. Use the Pine River near Rudyard (04127917) |
| Best season | June to September |
| Difficulty | Class I |