| Sturgeon River | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Copper Country State Forest |
| Mouth | Portage Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
Sturgeon River is a river in Baraga County and Houghton County counties in the U.S. state of Michigan. 25.0 miles (40.2 km) of the river were added to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System in 1992.[1]
The Carp River rises on the glacially-eroded plateau that forms much of southern Baraga County. Flowing westward through the Copper County State Forest, it enters the Ottawa National Forest north of Watton, Michigan.[1] The 25.0 miles (40.2 km)-length of the river's course in this national forest has been listed as a wild and scenic river, with 16.5 miles (26.6 km) designated as wild and 8.5 miles (13.7 km) as scenic. On this stretch, which crosses and recrosses the border between Baraga County and Houghton County, the river helps to form the Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness and flows over Sturgeon Falls.[2]
After leaving the Ottawa National Forest west of Baraga, Michigan, Sturgeon River flows northward, again crossing and recrossing the Baraga-Houghton County line and running generally parallel to the western shore of Keweenaw Bay. The river discharges into Portage Lake near Chassell, Michigan.[1]
The Wild and Scenic portion of the Sturgeon River, within the Ottawa National Forest, is classified as a Blue Ribbon Trout Stream.[3]