Portage River
Introduction
Introduction
The Portage River begins in Portage Lake in Kalamazoo County just north of Climax, MI but is paddlable below Indian Lake. Access is limited from Indian Lake to Portage Lake in St Joseph County. Just north of Portage Lake (St Joe County) the river is joined by a west branch that begins near Portage, MI. This branch can be paddled down from Hogset Lake to Sunset Lake and from Barton Lake to Portage Lake (St Joe County). Late in the summer this section can become thick with lily pads. The waterway from Sunset Lake to Barton Lake is very small, full of brush and goes through residential areas. The map below shows 11 access sites and about 33 miles of water to paddle.
Access Map
Access Map