When kayaking the waters of southwest Michigan, I rarely see other kayakers. Maybe boaters just don’t know where to go. This motivated me to share my knowledge with you. I hope that you enjoy these scenic waterways as much as I do!
Most lakes in southwest Michigan have developed shorelines. Kayakers enjoy viewing the many homes that dominate the coastline. Many are accompanied by beautiful landscaping. Boaters also enjoy people watching. These lakes are plentiful and are too numerous to list. I will focus on lakes and small streams that have little or no development. They are fewer in number and I continue to search them out. Lakes of this variety that I have found are located in Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Barry, and Allegan counties.
The rivers that I will cover are located all over southwest Michigan. These rivers are mostly rural in nature but sometimes you will have to paddle through cities or villages. Most of these lakes and rivers are easily accessible, but some are located on unmaintained county roads or one lane unimproved trails. You will not need four wheel drive to get to these lakes and rivers but sometimes it might be helpful to have it.
Many kayakers prefer to paddle the middle of lakes, enjoying the scenic panorama of the whole waterway. I recommend paddling the shoreline because that is where most of the wildlife is. The shallows and drop-offs of the lake coast is your own private aquarium. Many species of fish are clearly visible. Muskrat, beaver, and otter swim near shore. Waterfowl are abundant along the coastline. Many animals inhabit dry land near the shore. Among the more common that I have seen are deer, squirrels, raccoons, and chipmunks. I have spent a lot of pleasurable time exploring hidden coves and creeks that I have discovered by kayaking the shoreside. On rivers, feeder streams and bayous beg to be paddled. I hope these tips will add to your boating pleasure. I’m sure you will enjoy paddling the following scenic waterways that I have visited! There are photos and info on each destination!
The following is a list of the southwest Michigan destinations, in the order in which they appear. The photos and info begin after the list.
Fawn River, Fawn River Township, St. Joseph County
Paw Paw River, Maple Lake Dam to CR665, Van Buren County
Gull Creek, Kalamazoo County
Pine Creek Impoundment and Pine Creek, Allegan County
Rabbit River, Hamilton, Allegan County
Kalamazoo River, New Richmond to Saugatuck, Allegan County
Pottawatomi Marsh, Allegan County
Portage Creek, Barton Lake to Vicksburg, Kalamazoo County
Portage River, North Fisher Lake Road to Three Rivers, St. Joseph County
Kalamazoo River, Albion to Marshall, Calhoun County
Thornapple River, Charlton Park to Hastings, Barry County
Kalamazoo River, Marshall to Battle Creek, Calhoun County
Morrow Lake and Kalamazoo River, Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County
Portage River, Portage Lake to North Fisher Lake Road, St. Joseph County
Rocky River, Null Road to Three Rivers, St. Joseph County
Kalamazoo River, Pipeline Landing to New Richmond, Allegan County
Ottawa Marsh, Allegan County
Black River and Lake Michigan, South Haven, Van Buren County
Black River, Family Landing to Black River Park, Van Buren County
Upper Crooked Lake, Barry County
Otis Lake, Barry County
Dowagiac River, M51 to Peavine Street, Cass County
Rupert Lake, Kalamazoo County
Portage to Three Rivers Water Trail, Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties
Ely and Little Tom Lakes, Allegan County
Crooked Lake, Allegan County
Portage, Blue, and Long Lakes, Charleston Township, Kalamazoo County
Three Lakes, Kalamazoo County
Gull Creek, Butterfield and Graham Lakes, Kalamazoo County
Prairie River, Centerville to Three Rivers, St. Joseph County
Kalamazoo River, Otsego to Trowbridge Dam, Allegan County
Kalamazoo River, Allegan to Lake Allegan, Allegan County
Gourdneck Creek, Gourdneck Lake to Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo County
Lake Allegan, Allegan County
Saugatuck, Allegan County
Big Fish, Lime, and Horseshoe Lakes, Mill Pond, Barry County
Lower Crooked Lake, Barry County
Swan Creek Pond and Swan Creek, Allegan County
Fort Custer State Recreation Area, Kalamazoo County
Whitford Lake, Kalamazoo County
Lawler Lake and Lawler beaver pond, Kalamazoo County
Jackson Hole Lake, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Parchment to Cooper, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Comstock to Parchment, Kalamazoo County
Eagle Lake, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Plainwell to Otsego, Allegan County
Yankee Springs State Recreation Area and Barry State Game Area, Barry County
Baker and Mud Lakes, Barry County
Williams Lake, Barry County
McDonald Lake, Barry County
Spring Valley Pond, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Battle Creek to Augusta, Calhoun and Kalamazoo Counties
Hall Lake, Barry County
Long Lake, Barry County
St. Joseph River, Colon to Mendon, St. Joseph County
Big and Little Sugarloaf Lakes, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Augusta to Galesburg, Kalamazoo County
Deep Lake and Turner Creek, Barry County
Dagget Lake, Barry County
Kalamazoo River and Morrow Lake, City of Galesburg and Comstock Township, Kalamazoo County
Wolf Lake, Van Buren County
Kalamazoo River, Cooper to Plainwell, Kalamazoo and Allegan Counties
North Branch Paw Paw River, Van Buren County
Gull Creek and Howlandsburg Mill Pond, Kalamazoo County
Chief Noonday Lake to Gun Lake water trail, Barry County
Shaw Lake to Basset Lake Water Trail, Barry County
Kalamazoo River, Trowbridge Dam to Allegan, Allegan County
Twin Lakes, Kalamazoo County
Gourdneck Creek, Portage to Vicksburg, Kalamazoo County
Kalamazoo River, Allegan (Calkins) Dam to the Pipeline Landing, Allegan County
KAYAKING SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN 