Rifle River is a 60.3-mile-long (97.0 km)[1] river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises in northeastern Ogemaw County and flows through Arenac County to enter Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron.[2] Once a logging river during the Michigan forestry boom at the turn of the 20th century, the river is now primarily used for recreation, and is a state-designated natural river. It is a popular river for canoeing, with no portages or dams and an average depth of 18 inches, to 5 feet in downtown Omer. It is also known for having one of the best White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) runs in the state of Michigan, in the spring.

According to a historical map of Michigan originally published in 1831, the Rifle River may have previously been referred to as Grindstone Creek.[3]

Rifle River
View from Sage Lake Road in Cumming Township
River mouth location within the state of Michigan
Location
Country	United States
State	Michigan
Counties	Ogemaw, Arenac
Cities	Selkirk, Omer
Physical characteristics
Source
• location	Ogemaw County
• coordinates	44°23′58″N 84°01′57″W
Mouth	Saginaw Bay
• location	Arenac County
• coordinates	43°59′34″N 83°49′15″W
• elevation	577 ft (176 m)
Length	60 mi (97 km)
Basin size	385 sq mi (1,000 km2)
Discharge
• location	Saginaw Bay
• average	181 cu ft/s (5.1 m3/s)

Canoe liveries serving the Rifle River

Several private canoe operators provide equipment rental and transportation for river trips along the Rifle River.

Twining, Michigan

• Whispering Pines Campground and Canoe Livery.[4]

Sterling, Michigan (Central portion of the Rifle River - Most Popular)

• Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery[5]
• River View Campground & Canoe Livery[6]
• Whites Campground & Canoe Livery[7]

Omer, Michigan (Lower portion of the Rifle River)

• Big Bend Campground & Canoe Rental[8]
• Riverbend Campground & Canoe Rental[9]
• Russell's Canoe Livery [10]

See also

• Rifle River Recreation Area

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rifle River.

• Department of Natural Resources Rifle River Map