Michigan’s Inland Waterway is one of the most extraordinary boating experiences in the entire Midwest directory — a 38.2-mile connected chain of lakes and rivers stretching across the top of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula from Cheboygan on Lake Huron westward through Mullett Lake, the Indian River, Burt Lake, the Crooked River, and Crooked Lake near Petoskey. Designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1957, the Inland Waterway was originally used by Native Americans and fur traders to avoid the dangerous open water and strong waves around Waugoshance Point on Lake Michigan — at least 50 Native American encampments have been discovered along the waterway’s shores with artifacts dating back over 3,000 years. Today the route is considered one of the most beautiful small-boat journeys in North America — a full day’s navigation through no-wake river corridors, open lake crossings, and two operating locks that lower and raise boats between the different water levels of the connected system. The Alanson Swing Bridge on the Crooked River is the world’s smallest operating swing bridge — a genuinely unique navigation experience that is unlike anything else in the Midwest directory. The waterway can handle vessels up to 65 feet long with a 5-foot draft through the open lake sections, though the Crooked River limits boats to 25 feet — plan your vessel size accordingly before committing to the full route. The waterway’s northern terminus at Cheboygan puts boaters just 15 miles from Mackinac Island and 18 miles from the Mackinac Bridge — making the Inland Waterway a natural gateway to one of the most iconic Great Lakes destinations in the country.

The fishing across the Inland Waterway’s connected lake and river system is diverse and genuinely productive. Burt Lake and Mullett Lake — the two largest lakes on the route — hold walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, yellow perch, and crappie in waters that produce quality fish throughout the season. Burt Lake is particularly notable for its lake sturgeon population — Burt Lake, nearby Mullett Lake, and Black Lake together hold one of the most significant inland lake sturgeon populations in Michigan, a species that has recovered significantly from the near-extinction that characterized the mid-20th century Great Lakes fishery. The Cheboygan River at the waterway’s eastern terminus connects to Lake Huron — opening salmon, lake trout, and steelhead fishing opportunities that are unavailable on the inland lake sections of the route. The Top O’ Michigan boat races held annually on the Inland Waterway — an 80-mile course including the tight hairpin turns of the Crooked River and the open water of Burt and Mullett Lakes — draw over 100 competing boats and thousands of spectators each August in one of the most distinctive racing events on any inland waterway in the Midwest.

Marine service for the Inland Waterway is concentrated in Indian River — the community at the geographic heart of the waterway between Burt Lake and Mullett Lake — which has 7 verified providers within 6 miles of the hub center including Indian River Marina, Burt Lake Marina, and Burt Lake Marina Service and Parts Department. Alanson on the Crooked River adds Marine Medic at 8 miles. Cheboygan at the Lake Huron terminus contributes Jack’s Mullett Lake Marina and Johnston’s Marine at 12 to 16 miles. Harbor Springs to the southwest at 13 to 15 miles adds Irish Boat Shop, Walstrom Marine, and Down East Yachting. Mackinaw City at 22 miles has Shepler’s Marine Service serving the Straits of Mackinac corridor. Boyne City, Charlevoix, Gaylord, Petoskey, and Walloon Lake round out comprehensive coverage across the full 40-mile hub radius. Find Boat Services lists 42 verified motor repair, electronics, trailer, fiberglass, upholstery, detailing, and mobile marine service providers across the Michigan Inland Waterway corridor.

Navigation on the Inland Waterway requires preparation that lake-only boaters don’t typically need — the two locks at Cheboygan and Alanson require specific procedures for entering, securing lines, and exiting safely that first-time lock users should research before attempting. The no-wake zones on the Cheboygan and Indian River sections are extensive and strictly enforced — the full traverse of the waterway takes the better part of a day due to the speed restrictions on the river corridors. Bridge clearances are fixed on most crossings — the M-27 bridge at 14.7 feet is the lowest clearance on the route and limits tall vessels from completing the full traverse. Check current water levels through the Michigan DNR’s Boating Access Finder at michigan.gov/boating before planning any Inland Waterway transit.