Maple River

The Maple River is a 74.1-mile tributary of the Grand River in the central Lower Peninsula of Michigan. It rises in Shiawassee Township, south of Owosso, and flows west through Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties, passing Ovid, Elsie and Maple Rapids before joining the Grand River at Muir. Its basin covers about 944 square miles. Five major dams stand on the river and its tributaries: Lake Victoria, Lake Ovid, Elsie, Rainbow and Hubbardston. The Friends of the Maple River trace the watershed to glacial meltwater, and state records describe the upper watershed as about 79 percent agricultural.

Much of the river in Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties lies within the Maple River State Game Area, about 9,252 acres managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The game area follows the river for roughly 16 miles and is described as the state's longest contiguous wetland complex. It includes the Maple River Flooding, a man-made marsh along U.S. 127. The river is best suited to canoes, kayaks and other small boats. Public ramps include Maple Road, Dean Road, French Road and Fitzpatrick Road; a 2010-2015 restoration project added boat launches. A wildlife refuge east of U.S. 127 is closed to entry from September 1 to December 1. In 2025 drought left water extremely low in the managed wetland units near U.S. 127.

The river holds black crappie, bluegill, smallmouth and largemouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, channel catfish and bowfin. The game area contains Michigan's only known inland salt marsh.