Shakey River Kayaking Guide
The Shakey River is a 26.2-mile river in Menominee County that flows into the Menominee River — the big boundary water between Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Wisconsin. Its lower reaches wind through the Shakey Lakes area, a chain of impoundments and marshy channels where the river spreads out before joining the Menominee.
Paddlers do float here: recreational accounts describe kayaking and canoeing in the connected Shakey Lakes and the river's winding open channels, with weedy, marshy margins and a slow, meandering character. It is flatwater country — no rapids to speak of, just quiet water through wetlands and low forest.
The catch is access. Launch references found during research were private or rental-based, and while Shakey Lakes Park is mentioned in connection with the area, its launch facilities could not be verified. There is no documented, confirmed public put-in and take-out pair for a Shakey River trip — so plan this one with local confirmation, not assumptions.
Shakey River at a Glance
- Region: Central UP — Menominee County, Menominee River watershed
- Difficulty: Easy flatwater where accessible — but access unconfirmed
- Character: 26.2-mile slow river through the Shakey Lakes marsh chain
- Signature reach: Shakey Lakes and winding lower channels (access to verify)
- Watch for: No confirmed public launch; weedy, marshy shallows
Paddling the Shakey River
The Shakey Lakes chain
The river's most paddleable-looking water is the connected lakes and open channels of the Shakey Lakes area — slow, scenic, marsh-edged flatwater. This is the reach recreational paddlers describe, roughly around 45.41441, -87.85178.
To the Menominee River
Below the lakes the river continues to its confluence with the Menominee River. The lower river is undocumented for paddling — gradient, deadfall, and access unknown — so treat any through-trip as exploratory.
Hazards & Portages
Shallow, weedy water that can be hard to navigate; no documented portages; biting insects in marsh season; and the Menominee River itself at the confluence — a much larger, dam-controlled river that demands its own planning.
Access & Parking
No confirmed public launch was verified for the Shakey River. References to launches in the Shakey Lakes area are private or rental-based and could not be confirmed; verify current public access with the Michigan DNR and local sources before planning a trip.
Map
Paddle It With the Club
The West Michigan Kayaking Club paddles rivers like the Shakey River all season long. Come float with us!