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Wildlife Viewing
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Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary, Alpena, MI 49707. Phone: (989) 354-4158. 650 acre sanctuary on Thunder Bay River. Waterfowl, songbirds. Include 17-acre Island Park with foot trails, observation deck and fishing platform. Paved trail to observation deck.
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Grass River Natural Area [Wildlife Viewing], 6500 Alden Highway, PO Box 231, Bellaire, MI 49615, Phone: (231) 533-8314
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Grayling Fish Hatchery Museum, 4890 W. North Down River Road, Grayling, MI 49738, Phone: (989) 348-7386. Rasmus Hanson founded the Grayling Fish Hatchery on 1914 in hopes of restoring the grayling fish to the depleted waters of the AuSable River system. While the grayling eventually did become extinct in Michigan, the Hatchery continued to play an important role in the conservation of our natural resources. The Grayling Fish Hatchery during its early years was instrumental in hatching and raising trout for rivers throughout the state of Michigan, and arguably had one of the best records of all the hatcheries at that time for fish hatched and planted.
In 1926 the Grayling Fish Hatchery was sold to the State of Michigan, under the premise that the state would double the Hatchery’s capacity and make other improvements. It continued to serve as a fish hatchery and tourist attraction until the mid 1960’s. In 1995 the State of Michigan sold the property to Crawford County. Since that time the Grayling Recreation Authority has been managing a small section of the property for the enjoyment of some 17,000 annual visitors. The Hatchery is now undergoing a two-phase restoration, which will refurbish this neglected jewel, provide a centerpiece for the Grayling area, and fulfill the promise that its founders had once dreamed for it. The Grayling Fish Hatchery is open Every Day from 12 Noon until 6 p.m. 7 days a week, through Labor Day.
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Isle Royale National Park, 800 East Lakeshore Drive, Houghton, Michigan 49931, Phone: (906) 482-0984. Isle Royale’s physical isolation and primitive wilderness challenged human use for centuries; ironically today it has become the Island’s main attraction. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, visitors come to experience this island park through hiking its trails, paddling its inland waterways, exploring its rugged coast, or venturing into the depth of its shipwrecks. Species include moose, wolf, red fox, beaver, hare. Information center.
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Kirtland Warbler Habitat, Mio, MI 48647. Phone: (989) 826-3252. Nesting area of endangered songbird. Characterized by jack pines. Area posted and closed to public during the nesting season (May-July), but accessible via guided tours conducted U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Forest Servcie.
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Millie Mine Bat Caves [Wildlife Viewing], Iron Mountain, MI, Park Ave. off East A Street, This unique site is 350 feet deep, with a consistent temperature of 40 degrees, just right for the furry little bats that need a place to stay for the winter. Seven species, from 5 states and Canada, making it the second largest known colony of hibernating bats in North America. They leave the mine in late April and return in September, making this the only viewing times. Parking lot, walking path, benches, and informational plaques. FREE!
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Partridge Point Wetland [Wildlife Viewing], 1175 N. Partridge Point Rd., Alpena, MI 49707, Phone: (989) 356-4812
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Pigeon River County State Forest, Wolverine, MI, Phone: (989) 983-4101. September and October are prime months to see elk which are about four times the size of a white-tailed deer. In early September, the bull elk (an adult weighs as much as 1,000 pounds or more) begin to gather their harems for the annual breeding season. Elk herd, Bear, bobcat and coyote. Waterfowl and songbirds.
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Seney National Wildlife Refuge [Wildlife Viewing], 1674 Refuge Entrance Rd., Seney, MI 49883, Phone: (906) 586-9851, Seney National Wildlife Refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Today, Seney supports a variety of wildlife, including endangered and reintroduced species. Bald eagles, common loons, and trumpeter swans are regularly seen during the summer months, especially June and July, when they are raising their young. Peak populations of waterfowl are present in early spring and early fall. Common species observed include Canada geese, hooded mergansers, mallards, black ducks, ring-necked ducks, and wood ducks. Sandhill cranes can be observed in moderate numbers prior to fall migration. Animals that live on the Refuge but are not always seen include black bear, white-tailed deer, coyote, river otter, beaver, ruffed, spruce, and sharp-tailed grouse, yellow rails, and woodcock. Biting insects (black flies, deer flies, and mosquitoes) can be a problem during warmer months. Wood ticks may also be found in this area.
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Thompson State Fish Hatchery [Wildlife Viewing], 944 S State Highway M149, Manistique, MI 49854, Phone (906)341-5587. Thompson State Fish Hatchery was established in 1922 and was completely renovated in 1978. This facility can produce a wide range of fish species for both inland and Great Lake waters because of its unique water supply. Coldwater species produced at Thompson include: Atlantic salmon (the only state hatchery to produce these fish), chinook salmon, steelhead, rainbow trout and brown trout. Coolwater species produced at Thompson include both walleye and northern muskellunge. This facility has both indoor and outdoor rearing capabilities. The indoor facility contains 42 tanks for rearing of small fingerlings. The outdoor facility contains 12 raceways for rearing yearling trout. Thompson hatchery had a new interpretive center installed in 2003. The new interpretive center provides information on the importance of small tributaries to the Great Lakes, how watersheds work, how a hatchery operates as well as art work and a hands-on computer center which challenges people of all ages to learn about hatcheries and fisheries management.
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Whitefish Point Bird Observatory [Wildlife Viewing], 6914 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI 49768, Phone: (906) 492-3596. Being the northeastern tip of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Whitefish Point is a phenomenal concentration spot for migrating raptors, waterbirds, and song birds. The surrounding land and water features create a natural corridor, funneling thousands of birds directly to the Point each spring and fall as they travel thorough the Great Lakes region. This makes for spectacular bird-watching and provides tremendous opportunities to study and monitor bird populations.
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