National Forests in Michigan

IN CHIPPEWA AND MACKINAC COUNTIES in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan is an unbroken forest area interwoven with lakes and streams, bounded on the north by the cold waters of Lake Superior and on the south by the warmer waters of Lake Michigan. It is the Marquette National Forest, named in honor of the great missionary-explorer, PŽre Marquette.

MARQUETTE NATIONAL FOREST (click on image for a PDF version)

Timber.

The Marquette National Forest area shared the colorful logging era of Upper Michigan, and it shared, as well, the barren areas and rampant fires which marked the progress of that period. Reforesting these areas is one of the main activities on the Marquette, and more than 30,000 acres of red, white, and jack pine plantations have been established. Approximately 50,000 acres are still in need of reforestation, and at present the forest has an annual planting program of 6,000 acres. Additions to the Marquette have increased its size from the original 25,456 acres to 503,175.

SPECTACLE LAKE, WITH LAKE SUPERIOR IN THE DISTANCE. F—29213

JACK PINE HAS BECOME VALUABLE F—34758A

Fish and Game.

Sound management has increased the game on the forest during the past few years. Deer, bear, snowshoe hare, and partridge provide excellent hunting and are numerous enough to be seen frequently. The beaver, under proper trapping regulations, has become a common inhabitant of many lakes and streams, and beaver, muskrat, mink, and weasel provide a sizeable income to many local trappers. The moose, which provided meat for early settlers, has been maintained only by introduction from other areas.

The porcupine, known as the woodsman's friend because of the ease with which it can be captured for food in case of emergency, is very common. The coyote, wolf, bobcat, and fox are present, but are seldom seen because of their habits and comparative scarcity. In certain localities on clear nights the cry of a lone coyote can be heard from some distant hill.

Twenty-seven lakes, varying in size from 5 to 4,000 acres, offer fine fishing for black bass, perch, bluegills, northern pike, wall-eyed pike, rock bass, bullheads, and sunfish. Muskellunge are found in Brevort Lake. Trout fishing is a favorite sport for local people and tourists, and 37 forest streams provide rainbow and brook trout. A Forest Service trout feeding station near Raco has an annual capacity of 250,000 fingerlings. In recent years fishing for the smelt that come up to spawn in many of the streams flowing into Lake Michigan has become a popular sport. It also provides income for many local people.

FISHING THE "RUSHING TAHQUAMENON." F—384471

Recreation.

The Marquette provides ample facilities for fishing, hunting, boating, bathing, hiking, and winter sports. The extensive Great Lakes shore line and the inland lakes and streams offer many beautiful spots for picnicking and camping. At strategic points 15 camp sites and picnic grounds have been developed with sanitary water supply, fireplaces, tables, tent sites, and sanitation facilities.

Brevort Lake, only 20 miles northwest of St. Ignace, has a surface area of 4,000 acres and excellent facilities for bathing, boating, and fishing. At the Lake Michigan Picnic Ground, 19 miles west of St. Ignace, is a fine, sandy beach, where a bathhouse and picnic facilities are offered for the public's use. On the shore of Lake Superior, 1 mile west of Dollar Settlement, is a picnic ground in a lovely setting of mature red pine. In the heart of the blueberry country, ideally situated for trout-fishing and hunting parties, are the Dick and Pine River Campgrounds on the Pine River. The Three Lakes Campground has been developed in a beautiful stand of white birch bordered by three small lakes. West of the forest boundary are the Taquamenon Falls, one of the outstanding scenic points of interest in the Upper Peninsula.

BREVORT LAKE SWIMMING BEACH. F—384504

BLUEBERRY PICKERS IN MICHIGAN. F—384483

FRY YOUR HAMBURGERS (OR TROUT) HERE. F—384513

Information concerning these places may be obtained from the forest supervisor at Escanaba or from the rangers at Raco and Moran.

St. Ignace, southeastern gateway to Upper Michigan, is located in the southeast corner of the forest. From it U S 2 runs north to Sault Ste. Marie, with its famous international locks, and west to Manistique across the southern part of the forest. Unusual scenic attractions line this road along the shore of Lake Michigan for a distance of 25 miles from St. Ignace. Many county and Forest Service roads branch from the main highway into the interior of the forest to make streams, lakes, and hunting areas easily accessible.

More than 500,000 people visit the Marquette National Forest each year. It is open for the use of all the people. The only requirement is that they use the forest without destroying any of its features, so that those who come after them will have equal opportunities for enjoyment. Care with fire maintenance of sanitary conditions, proper use of facilities, restraint from injury to the forest, and the observation of State fish and game laws will assure visitors a perpetual welcome.