Grayling Visitors Bureau

Official site for tourism information for the Grayling, Michigan area

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You are here: Home / Rivers & Lakes in Grayling MI

Rivers & Lakes in Grayling MI

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AuSable River

The headwaters and mainstream of the AuSable River flow within easy driving distance of Grayling. The beautiful AuSable River is one of Michigan’s most desirable destinations for kayaking, canoeing and fishing. There is no better place to fly fish than the AuSable River’s clean and cool waters.  There is one section of the river, about nine miles long, that fishermen call the “Holy Waters”, because of the incredible abundance of trout. The “Holy Waters” is regulated by year-round fly-fishing only and catch-and-release only.  The river flows through scenic woodlands, perfect for spotting all kinds of wildlife and birds that makeup this diverse ecosystem. Perhaps the best way to see the true wilderness is to use a canoe or kayak, which can be rented at the various nearby liveries.  Each year in July, the AuSable River hosts the AuSable River Canoe Marathon that draws hundreds of competitors.  The 120-mile competition is fierce-intended for athletes in top shape who are expert canoers, and continues nonstop, through day and night until the finish line at Lake Huron.

Manistee River

The 232-mile Manistee is one of Michigan’s best fly fishing rivers for catching steelhead, salmon and trout.  It runs through Northern Michigan entering through Lake Michigan at Manistee. The deep sandy bottom of the river provides a constant and stable flow and the clear and cold waters make it perfect for fishing, kayaking and canoeing.   Kayakers who put in upstream can enjoy a nice float as the elevation drops from around 1300 feet down to 582, dropping about 3 feet per mile.  Besides the fly fishing, the Manistee is considered the third best smallmouth bass river in Michigan, producing bass between 2 and 4 pounds. The Manistee is also ideal for wildlife watching and scenic photography. A canoe or kayak is the best way to obtain the wilderness experience although scenic wonders can be had at any woodland area bridge that spans the river.

Lakes

There are numerous lakes in the county. Some are well-known for fishing, others are popular for boating and swimming.

  • Lake Margrethe is one of Grayling’s larger lakes and is known for its great fishing, boating and swimming. The crystal clear lake is filled with bass, perch, pike, walleye, bluegill, tiger and muskie. Lake Margrethe offers up ice fishing in the winter.
  • Kneff Lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout and offers a variety of recreational activities including camping, swimming and picnicking. There are 27 campsites available for rentals that include tables and fire rings. A serene and very beautiful lake, a must see while in Grayling.
  • Wakeley Lake is a beautiful, scenic and slightly more remote location where you can peacefully fish or float in quiet solitude all day long.
Wakeley Lake. Photo by NEMCOG

Other fishing and recreation lakes in the area include:

Big Creek Impoundment, Bradford Lake, Bluegill Lake, Bright Lake, Connor’s Marsh, Glory Lake, Hardgrove Lake, Hartwick Lake, Higgins Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Howes Lake, Jones Lake, K.P. Lake, Lonesome Lake, Lost Lake, May Lake, Pickerel Lake, River Lake, Sandhill Lake, Section One Lake, Shupac Lake and Wakeley Lake

 

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Events Calendar

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  • September 2023

Calendar of Events

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1 event, 27

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Event Series

Black Iron Days @ Hartwick Pines State Park

August 27 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Event Series

Black Iron Days @ Hartwick Pines State Park

Black Iron Days Black Iron Days 2023, August 26 & 27 features artisans from across the region demonstrating how tools and crafts were made by hand in the late 1800’s. […]

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2 events, 1

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

Northern Art Explosion

September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

Art Explosion AUSABLE ARTISAN VILLAGE PRESENTS: THE ANNUAL GREAT NORTHERN ART EXPLOSION LOCATED IN DOWNTOWN GRAYING, MI. AN INTERNATIONAL JURIED FINE ART EXHIBITION Show dates from August 26th, 2023 through […]

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

September 1 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

Paddle Hard yard events

2 events, 2

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Junque in the Trunk

September 2 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Junque in the Trunk

2 events, 3

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

Northern Art Explosion

4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

September 3 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

Paddle Hard yard events

1 event, 4

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

1 event, 5

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

1 event, 6

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

1 event, 7

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

1 event, 8

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

2 events, 9

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

September 9 @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

On the weekend of September 9 and 10 Wellington Park near Grayling will host a new event designed to provide fun and entertainment for the entire family.  It’s being billed […]

$12

2 events, 10

2023-09-01

Northern Art Explosion

Northern Art Explosion

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

September 10 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

On the weekend of September 9 and 10 Wellington Park near Grayling will host a new event designed to provide fun and entertainment for the entire family.  It’s being billed […]

$12

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8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

September 29 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

If you think Wellington Farm Park's corn maze is challenging during the day, try navigating it during the night with only the help of a full moon and maybe a […]

$12

2 events, 30

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NE Mi.Local Meet-up Fall Series

September 30 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NE Mi.Local Meet-up Fall Series

NE Michigan Local Meet-Ups Fall Series: Canoe/Kayak AuSable River in Grayling with Borchers! September 30th at 10am.  Let's canoe/kayak the AuSable from the other side! First Oscoda, now Grayling. We […]

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

September 30 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

If you think Wellington Farm Park's corn maze is challenging during the day, try navigating it during the night with only the help of a full moon and maybe a […]

$12
August 27
August 27 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Event Series

Black Iron Days @ Hartwick Pines State Park

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1 @ 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 2 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Junque in the Trunk

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 3 @ 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM Event Series

Paddle Hard Yard Summer Concert Series

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 9 @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

September 1
September 1 @ 10:00 AM - September 10 @ 5:00 PM

Northern Art Explosion

September 10 @ 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Event Series

Wellington To Host Tractor Event

  • There are no events on this day.
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September 29
September 29 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

September 30
September 30 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NE Mi.Local Meet-up Fall Series

September 30 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
  • There are no events on this day.
September 29
September 29 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

September 30
September 30 @ 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

NE Mi.Local Meet-up Fall Series

September 30 @ 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM Event Series

Full or Half Moon Corn Maze

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