Portage Creek
Small creek
Small, brushy water above the lakes. Short exploring trips only.
Lower Peninsula River Guide / Portage Creek and the Huron River chain of lakes
Portage River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
Also called Portage Creek, this stream feeds Little Portage and Big Portage lakes, the head of the Huron River chain of lakes near Pinckney. The real paddling is on the chain: eight miles of lakes linked by no-wake canals, on an old fur trade route. Not to be confused with the Portage Rivers near Jackson and Three Rivers.
RegionSoutheast Michigan
CountiesLivingston, Washtenaw
WatershedHuron River
Great Lake BasinLake Erie
River LengthCreek to the Portage Lakes, then the chain
PaddleableLower creek and the chain of lakes
Best SeasonMay to October; weekday mornings
MouthLittle Portage Lake, then the Huron River chain
Before you launch: busy lakes
- Boat traffic: the chain of lakes is very busy with powerboats on summer weekends. Paddle early or on weekdays.
- Big Portage Lake: at more than 600 acres, it's the largest lake on the chain and can get rough in wind.
- Outlet dam: a low rock dam at the outlet of Big Portage controls the lake level. Stay clear of it.
- Small creek: above the lakes, Portage Creek is small. Expect brush and shallow water.
River History
In the 1700s, French fur traders paddled up the Huron River from Lake Erie to Big Portage Lake, then carried their canoes overland toward other river systems. That carry gave the lakes, the creek and the river their name.
Today the nine lakes of the Huron River chain, from Big Portage to Tamarack, are one of southeast Michigan's busiest boating areas, linked by no-wake canals. Much of the land around them is protected in the Pinckney State Recreation Area.
River Map
River Overview
Portage Creek, also called the Portage River, flows into the north side of Little Portage Lake. A 45-foot-wide channel connects Little Portage to Big Portage Lake. From there the Huron River chain of lakes runs about eight miles through Baseline, Zukey, Strawberry, Whitewood, Gallagher, Ore and Tamarack lakes, all part of the Huron River system.
Portage Creek
Small creek that feeds the Portage Lakes from the north.
Little Portage Lake
About 100 acres and 42 feet deep.
Big Portage Lake
About 614 acres and 84 feet deep. Low rock dam at the outlet.
Baseline, Zukey, Strawberry and Whitewood lakes
Linked by no-wake canals. Navigable by most boats.
Gallagher, Ore and Tamarack lakes
The lower chain. Ore and Tamarack are small-boat only.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on Portage Creek. The Huron River near Hamburg is the closest live gage in the chain of lakes area. On the lakes, wind matters more than flow.
How to read it
The lakes hold steady levels through the season. After heavy rain, the creek and canals run faster.
Check the wind forecast before crossing Big Portage Lake.
Paddling Character
Big and Little Portage
Big lakes
Deep, open lakes with boats and wind.
Chain of lakes canals
No-wake canals
Narrow, calm canals between lakes. The nicest paddling on the chain.
Michigan Water Trails
The Portage River and the Huron River chain of lakes are not a separate designated water trail, but the chain is part of the Huron River, which has its own designated Huron River Water Trail with launches downstream toward Lake Erie.
The chain connects directly to the Huron River and its water trail.
Huron River Water TrailDams & Portages
Big Portage Lake
Outlet rock dam
A low rock dam, about three feet high, at the outlet of Big Portage controls the lake level. Stay clear of it and carry around if needed.
Launches
Listed upstream to downstream. Confirm parking, fees and current conditions before you go.
Camping
Chain of lakes
Pinckney State Recreation Area
State campgrounds in the recreation area near the chain. A Recreation Passport is required.
Nearby
Waterloo State Recreation Area
More state campgrounds just west, in the Lower Peninsula's largest state park.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Herons, swans, sandhill cranes, turtles and waterfowl live along the quieter canals and marsh edges.
Fishing
The lakes hold bass, pike, walleye and panfish.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Paddle early or on weekdays to avoid boat traffic.
- Stay near shore on Big Portage Lake in wind.
- Wear bright colors so boaters can see you.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Recreation Passport is required at state launches.
- 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
- Bright clothing and a whistle
Best Time & Access
Spring
Quiet lakes and cold water.
Summer
Very busy weekends. Weekday mornings are best.
Fall
Great color and far fewer boats.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Pinckney is about an hour and 45 minutes east. Take I-96 east toward Brighton, then south on M-36 or Dexter-Pinckney Road.
Trip Planning
Canal paddle
Pick a few lakes and paddle the canals between them early in the day.
Fall trip
Paddle the chain in fall, when the boats are gone and the color is great.
Continue down the Huron
Below the chain, follow the Huron River Water Trail toward Dexter and Ann Arbor.
Check before you go
Look at the wind forecast and recreation area notices.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The creek and lakes are flatwater, rated Class I. Boat traffic and wind on the big lakes are the challenges.
Chain of lakes canals
Easy no-wake water.
Big Portage Lake
Wind and boats can make it choppy.
Quick Reference
| Also called | Portage Creek |
|---|---|
| Mouth | Little Portage Lake, then the Huron River chain |
| Lakes | Big Portage, Little Portage and seven more |
| Chain length | About 8 miles |
| Dams | Low rock dam at the outlet of Big Portage |
| Gage | None live. Use the Huron River near Hamburg (04172000) |
| Water trail | Connects to the Huron River Water Trail |
| Best season | May to October; weekday mornings |
| Difficulty | Class I |