Potagannissing River Kayaking Guide

The Potagannissing River (pə-TAG-ə-NEESS-ing; Ojibwe: Bootaagan-minising-ziibi) is an 11.3-mile river on Drummond Island in Chippewa County. It rises in the island's interior and flows northwest through a short chain of inland lakes — locally known simply as First, Second, Third, and Fourth — before entering Potagannissing Bay on Lake Huron.

Drummond Island sits at the eastern end of Michigan's Niagara Escarpment, and the river's country reflects it: low-relief limestone and dolostone pavement, alvar grasslands, and broad impounded marshes. The state-owned Potagannissing River Wildlife Floodings protect the backwaters of the river as a chain of four lakes ringed by cattail marsh — and this is where paddling actually enters the picture. Michigan Natural Features Inventory researchers put in above the dam near Morton Bay Forest Campground and paddled upstream through First Lake on bird surveys, recording extensive cattail marshes on both banks and 30 black terns in a single day.

There is, however, no established recreational paddling route on the Potagannissing River — no marked trail, no documented mileage, no outfitter. What exists is a promising, state-owned marsh-and-lake backwater that experienced, self-sufficient paddlers could explore, with the usual island caveats: remote location, ferry access to the island, and changeable Lake Huron weather at the bay.

Paddling the Potagannissing River

First through Fourth Lakes

The heart of the system is the wildlife floodings chain — First, Second, Third, and Fourth Lakes — shallow, marsh-edged impoundments connected by the river. Researchers paddled from above the dam near Morton Bay Forest Campground upstream into First Lake; expect cattails, black terns, and other marsh birds, and very shallow water in spots.

Potagannissing Bay

Below the lakes the river runs a short distance to Potagannissing Bay on Lake Huron (mouth approximately 46.03806, -83.67000). The bay is the scenic payoff but also the exposure: Huron's wind and waves replace the sheltered marsh in a hurry.

Hazards & Portages

Very shallow marsh water with possible deadfall and beaver dams; no marked channel; biting insects in season; the dam near Morton Bay Forest Campground (portage or avoid — never run a dam); and Lake Huron conditions at the bay end. This is a bring-everything, tell-someone destination.

Access & Parking

The most documented put-in reference is above the dam near Morton Bay Forest Campground, a state forest campground on Drummond Island — but this comes from a research survey, not a designated launch, so confirm current conditions and legal access with the Michigan DNR before going. Reaching the island requires the Drummond Island ferry; plan fuel, supplies, and shuttling accordingly.

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