M-37 Bridge

On Pere Marquette River

The Pere Marquette River is a river in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Its main stem is about 64 miles long. It begins in Lake County south of Baldwin and flows west through Lake and Mason counties into Pere Marquette Lake at Ludington, and from there into Lake Michigan. The river drains a basin of 740 square miles that also reaches Newaygo and Oceana counties. Its tributaries include the Middle Branch, Little South Branch, Big South Branch and Baldwin River. With no dams or impoundments, it is the longest unregulated river system in the Lower Peninsula. In 1978, 66 miles of the river were designated a National Scenic River, running from the junction of the Middle and Little South branches down to U.S. Highway 31. It is also a Michigan Natural River. More about Pere Marquette River.

Boating rules on Pere Marquette River

• Permit required for all watercraft (including tubes and stand-up paddleboards) between the Forks and Indian Bridge from the Friday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day Monday; $2 per watercraft, maximum 8 watercraft per reservation source
• Launching or retrieving on National Forest land only between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. during the permit season unless fishing or authorized by permit source
• Possessing or operating a vessel equipped with a motor is prohibited upstream from Indian Bridge on National Forest System lands source
• Vessels may not be stored or left on National Forest land within the river corridor for more than 24 hours source
• Foam coolers and glass beverage and food containers are prohibited on the river source
• $5 day-use fee at Green Cottage, Gleason's Landing, Bowman Bridge, Rainbow Rapids, Upper Branch and Indian Bridge source
• Every watercraft occupant must have a PFD; children six and under must wear one at all times source
• Flies-only, catch-and-release fishing from M-37 to Gleason's Landing source

Community

Where people who use Pere Marquette River talk about it.

• Pere Marquette Watershed Council Association
• Pere Marquette Watershed Council (Facebook page, linked from the council's website) Facebook
• Pere Marquette National Scenic River Restrictions - Huron-Manistee National Forests Agency
• Pere Marquette National Scenic River Watercraft Permits (Huron Manistee) Agency
• Search Reddit: r/Michigan Reddit
• Search all of Reddit for Pere Marquette River, Michigan Reddit

Nearby launches

• The Forks · 0.5 mi · Pere Marquette River
• North Lake Boat Launch · 0.9 mi · North Lake
• Weavers · 1.1 mi · Little South Branch Pere Marquette River
• Green Cottage Access · 1.6 mi · Pere Marquette River
• Wagon Wheel · 1.7 mi · Baldwin River
• Baldwin Hatchery · 2.6 mi · Baldwin River