Lower river
Quiet and slow
Slow water to explore upstream from the bay.
Upper Peninsula River Guide / Chippewa County to Waiska Bay at Brimley
Waiska River Kayaking Guide: Launches, Dams & Flows
Wild Rivers. Rugged Trails. Real Adventure.
A small eastern UP river that ends at Waiska Bay in the village of Brimley, near the head of the St. Marys River. From the launch at Superior Park, you can paddle up the quiet lower river or out onto the bay toward Lake Superior.
RegionEastern Upper Peninsula
CountiesChippewa
WatershedWaiska Bay and the St. Marys River
Great Lake BasinLake Superior
River LengthAbout 15 miles
PaddleableLower river and Waiska Bay
Best SeasonJune to September
MouthWaiska Bay at Brimley
Before you launch: Lake Superior's cold and wind
- Cold water: Waiska Bay opens to Lake Superior, which stays very cold all summer. Dress for immersion.
- Wind on the bay: the bay can get rough quickly. Stay near shore.
- Small upper river: above the lower few miles, the river is small and brushy.
- Boat traffic: watch for fishing boats near the launch.
River History
The Waiska River is named for Waishke, son of the Anishinaabe chief Waubojeeg of Chequamegon Bay. Waishke came to the St. Marys River area after his half sister married fur trader John Johnston around 1793, and he became a chief of the Anishinaabeg there. The Bay Mills Indian Community lies just west of Brimley today.
Brimley began in 1872 as a station on the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railway. It was first called Superior, then renamed Brimley in 1896. Brimley State Park sits just east of the village on Whitefish Bay.
River Map
River Overview
The Waiska River flows about 15 miles through Superior Township in Chippewa County to Waiska Bay, an arm of Lake Superior at the head of the St. Marys River. Its mouth is in the village of Brimley.
Upper river
Small, brushy stream through forest and farmland.
Lower river
Slower, deeper water near Brimley. Good for exploring upstream from the bay.
Superior Park launch
Roadside launch at the mouth in Brimley.
Waiska Bay
Sheltered arm of Lake Superior. Wind can still build waves.
USGS Flow & Water Conditions
There's no live USGS gage on the Waiska. The Pine River near Rudyard is the closest live gage in the eastern UP. At the mouth, Lake Superior's level and wind matter more than flow.
How to read it
The lower river's depth follows Lake Superior's level, so it's paddleable most of the season.
Check the wind forecast before heading out onto Waiska Bay.
Paddling Character
Waiska Bay
Sheltered bay
Bay paddling toward Lake Superior. Calm days only.
Michigan Water Trails
The Waiska is not a designated water trail. The Lake Superior shoreline nearby is part of Michigan's Great Lakes water trail network, including routes around Whitefish Bay.
These are open-water routes for experienced, well-equipped paddlers.
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.
Brimley
Superior Park launch
Roadside launch where you can paddle up the river or out into the bay. Food and gas nearby.
MapCamping
Brimley
Brimley State Park
State park campground on Whitefish Bay just east of Brimley. A Recreation Passport is required.
Bay Mills
Bay Mills area campgrounds
Campgrounds west of Brimley, including national forest sites along Lake Superior.
Wildlife & Fishing
Wildlife
Eagles, loons, herons, ducks and shorebirds use the bay and river mouth. The eastern UP forest holds deer, black bear and moose.
Fishing
Waiska Bay and the St. Marys River are known for walleye, pike, perch and salmon. Check the current fishing guide.
Safety
Safety essentials
- Wear your PFD the whole time.
- Dress for cold Lake Superior water.
- Stay near shore on the bay and watch the wind.
- Watch for fishing boats near the launch.
Rules, passes and private land
- A Recreation Passport is required at Brimley State Park.
- 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
- Wetsuit or drysuit for bay trips
- Marine forecast checked before launch
Best Time & Access
Spring
Icy-cold water. Experts only.
Summer
The best time, on calm days.
Fall
Colder and windier. Watch the forecast.
Winter
Ice. Not recommended.
From Grand Rapids, Brimley is about five hours north. Take US-131 and I-75 north across the Mackinac Bridge toward Sault Ste. Marie, then west on M-28 and M-221.
Trip Planning
Short paddle
Explore the lower river and the bay shoreline from Superior Park.
Camp nearby
Stay at Brimley State Park.
Combine
Pair the Waiska with the St. Marys River and Tahquamenon country.
Check before you go
Look at the marine forecast for Whitefish Bay.
River Difficulty
We use the American Whitewater difficulty scale. The Waiska is easy flatwater, rated Class I. Cold water and wind on the bay are the real challenges.
Lower Waiska River
Easy, slow water.
Waiska Bay
Calm days only. Very cold water.
Quick Reference
| Mouth | Waiska Bay at Brimley |
|---|---|
| Length | About 15 miles |
| Launch | Superior Park, Brimley |
| Camping | Brimley State Park |
| Gage | None. Use the Pine River near Rudyard (04127917) |
| Best season | June to September |
| Difficulty | Class I |