A Guide to Benzie County Michigan Rivers, Lakes, and Creeks

Book excerpt: A handy reference guide for recreational boating, especially if fishing by boat and/or paddling, on many of the inland rivers, lakes, and creeks of Benzie County, Michigan. Primarily intended for those using a small-water fishing boat, canoe, or kayak, the third edition of this book covers 33 of the county's 58 inland lakes, 2 of its 4 rivers (the Betsie and the Platte), and 5 of its many creeks -- ALL the navigable and publicly accessible inland water in the county. Besides the "fish typically caught" and "where the fish are found" provided for each body of water, the book also includes a handy "Fish Typically Caught" table for the rivers and lakes. Note that one of the rivers, one of the creeks, and six of the lakes are in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Discover lakes from 5 to 10,000 acres, rivers both quick and quiet, and creeks that explore the wild and natural Up North. Some of the details offered include: For each river section and creek - length, paddle time, Google Maps URL, depth, width, type of water, and difficulty. For each river - details for every bridge involved. For each lake - general location, lake area, shoreline length, depth, inlets and outlets, and if motors are allowed or it's a "no wake" lake. For all bodies of water - DNR map URL (for some), Google Maps URL for each section or lake, type of bottom, fish typically caught, where the fish are found, details for fishing and paddling, what to expect once there, and helpful tips and comments. Complete access details for boat launches and access sites for all bodies of water including: type of access site and what's offered at each, GPS coordinates, Google Maps URL, and detailed road directions. Also included is a map of Benzie County showing the location of all covered bodies of water and the major roads around them. This book covers Benzie County. It complements the A Guide to the Rivers and Lakes of Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties, Michigan book, which covers all 65 of the publicly and easily accessible inland lakes, the in-county pieces of the five rivers in those two counties, and ALL of the access points to those lakes and rivers. Whether canoeing, kayaking, or fishing by boat, you'll find this guide invaluable. Keep a copy in your cottage, car, truck, and tackle box!