Mackinac County :
Carp River
St. Ignace, Mi. Brook Trout. Brown Trout. Steelhead. Chinook Salmon. Pink
Salmon. Atlantic Salmon. The Carp River emerges from a trio of lakes -Carp,
Frenchman, and Wegwaas-in southwest Chippewa County near Trout Lake. After
passing through a small portion of the Lake Superior State forest,this flow
twists its way for about 50 miles through the wetlands and dense forests
of Mackinac County and the Hiawatha National Forest enroute to its terminus
at St. Martins Bay in northern Lake Huron. The Carp earned an early reputation
as one of the eastern U.P. 's finest trout streams and produced Brookies
to 3 pounds and larger as recently as 20 years ago. Two branches form the
Main Stream. The North Branch supports a small self-sutaining population
of brook trout. It recieves hatchery -origin Brown Trout and both wild and
hatchery reared Steelhead. The Steelhead along with Chinook Salmon and occassional
large schools of Pink Salmon, freely ascend the river in fall from its m!
outh.Portions of the lower river have been designated as Wild or Scenic,
and the upstream portion is a candatite for inclusion in the National Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act.
Nearly all of the river can be fly-fished, but expect to encounter neckdowns,
sharp curves, and bankside brush. The North Branch hosts better fishing
than the South Branch. Pink Salmon show up in late summer and early fall.
Spring steelhead run all the way up to the state land and are spawning in
the newly exposed gravel. Motels in St. Ignace. Fly/Bait Tackle Guides-None
Listed
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