Kayak Camping on the Little Manistee River Michigan - Part 2

Part 2 of a three part series showcasing my experience on the beautiful 48 mile Little Manistee River in early October from the very beginning of navigable water at Spencer Bridge Public Access on N. Peacock Rd, all the way to Lake Michigan.
It may be possible to begin at the Old Grade Campground on Rt. 37 approx. three more miles up river from Spencer Bridge Public Access but the campground was closed at the time of my thru-paddle.
Gaia GPS Files:
Day 1: www.gaiagps.com/public/R7yB1j...
Day 2: www.gaiagps.com/public/OmbhSu...
Day 3: www.gaiagps.com/public/os09Go...
Starting location at Spencer Bridge: maps.app.goo.gl/7rSX5qvXme8ha...
Night one: maps.app.goo.gl/3BJtmoMgCT3C6...
Several good stealth camping areas on river right before Driftwood Rec area: maps.app.goo.gl/ZMTS3pvQvWJD9...
Bear Track Campground: maps.app.goo.gl/GEP3oxEuLTSuP...
Little Manistee Weir (with camping, maybe?) maps.app.goo.gl/AkGWt9KEbJeTM...
Night two, somewhere just beyond this private property here: maps.app.goo.gl/BA5uwLvJLvz8M...
0:00-00:46 intro
00:46-18:36 cold start, good camping areas, great sections of river and final trip of 2022?
18:36-19:36 dead king salmon
19:36-23:02 some faster sections and a blow down
23:02-25:39 beginning to look for camp
25:39-28:02 DNR fishing Weir
28:02-29:30 found a campsite
29:30-33:48 cooking dinne over the fire
33:48-34:44 conclusion and outro
Other Michigan kayaking trips mentioned:
Big Manistee River
• The Big Manistee River...
Pine River
• Pine River Kayaking Ad...
Ausable River
• Kayak Camping Adventur...

[@jamesosborne5950]

Great trip . It’s on my bucket list if my lungs get better . If not I’ll bring some small oxygen tanks and still enjoy it. Thanks for taking us along buddy

[@jasonwish-]

Hopefully they will continue to improve! Glad you're enjoying the journey...working on part three, the finale, right now.

[@dabeev]

It's funny, I always come back to your videos in the Winter months as I long for spring. Love this content, keeps me going when everything is dark and frozen in Jan, Feb and March lol.

[@jasonwish-]

I do the exact same thing! When I get bored and long for the spring and summer weather I will often rewatch my own videos, lol! Thanks!

[@kingsalmon5905]

I lived on the Little Manistee not far from driftwood campground area. We use to swing off the rope years ago...lol. The weir closes it's gates in late August. The salmon have already started to head up river to spawn. There are always a few that get past the weir before it. I use to work for the DNR, harvesting salmon eggs in the fall. If you noticed just past the weir on the right side of the river is a huge Bald Eagle nest. Great Video. Thanks for sharing.

[@jasonwish-]

Great information, thanks! Gorgeous area!

[@JourneyontheTrail]

Another awesome part to this journey! And man those salmon were huge!!

[@jasonwish-]

I should have speared one for dinner!! Thanks AJ!

[@mowerparts3824]

That was excellent in so many ways. Your video was unreal. The coffee thing was too bad though. Hehe good bunker training!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! The scenery of Nothern Michigan is what is unreal...love it up there!

[@SinchuwusOutside]

Great trip video! The faster water looked like a lot of fun and your second night camp site was incredible looking! Looking forward to Part 3! Thanks for sharing. -dave

[@jasonwish-]

It would have been nice to have more of that faster water, you can make some pretty good time! A nice campsite can sometimes make or break a trip so I was fortunate to find that one just in time, thanks Dave!

[@shyzeke8850]

Always wanted to do the Little Manistee, I have a great love for small creeks/rivers. Thank you so much for this vid and keep up the good work!

[@jasonwish-]

This was the perfect river because it had a little bit of everything, tight twist and turns like a creek early on and wide open beautiful views later on. All it needed was some good established camping areas along the way and it would have been perfect!

[@paulschmidtman5554]

Hey buddy. I live in northern Michigan about a dozen miles from the Manistee river. It's so beautiful. I can't kayak anymore due to injuries. I do still visit the river often.

[@jasonwish-]

Sorry to hear you’re unable to kayak. That area is so beautiful, love it up there!

[@kellydtth2749]

Great trip. Keep ‘em coming. Exciting to see a kindred spirit in their enjoyment of the outdoors. Cheers!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! Got more in the works!

[@tomb7901]

Great video! I bet coffee will be the first thing in your pack from now on. LoL 😂👍

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! You got that right!

[@brianogden9076]

Bless you and the family

[@brianogden9076]

Loved that episode can't wait for the finale

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Brian...working on the final episode now. It's so fun reliving the experience through the editing process. Glad you are enjoying it so far.

[@KentuckyWoodsman]

What an awesome kayak trip! Thanks for sharing Jason!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks Chris! With this cold nasty weather were having right now its making long for those warm early fall days again!

[@kenlodge3399]

Really enjoy the floating moments it's a real charmer as can feel like I'm right there having been down so many rivers. Thanks for letting us join in it reall6y takes me back. Am now curious to see if you cover any other regions as there's a lot of areas south and east of Michigan never got to explore river wise.

[@jasonwish-]

so many Michigan rivers on my list to explore!

[@PanfishingJournal]

Love it!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!

[@FrankD518]

Greetings Jason, I happened on you channel around the time of your 2nd leg of your Mad River trip that ended at the Glen Thompson Reserve. We live about 5 miles by car from the GTR. I had just been there about a weekish before you posted that.

[@jasonwish-]

I assume you are referring to the Little Miami River and not the Mad River. Both are great Ohio rivers...I will certainly be on the Mad again next spring! Thanks Frank!

[@FrankD518]

Yeah, sorry. You are correct, I meant the LMR. I had a bit of insomnia last night so it wasn't best thinking. I'm looking to get into kayaking and fishing at 52. I have canoed some in my younger days. I heard you mention spear fishing about those King Salmon on the Lil Manistee. I've been wondering why you don't do any catch and cooks? Your great produce with fresh fish would be awesome.

[@jasonwish-]

@@FrankD518 I would have loved to catch a fish to add to my dinner...since i didn't know how far i was I didn't want to stop and take the time to fashion a spear but in hindsite I wish I would have. Next season I will make it a point to do a few catch and cooks for sure! Btw, I'll be 49 next month, never too late to get into it!

[@FrankD518]

In another area that crosses over into your areas of expertise, we have started adding more to our little home garden. In past years it was a half dozen tomato plants and a couple jalapeños for salsa. This year, we added a dozen yellow corn plants and a few different types of heirlooms and a couple hybrids. Plus, the the lady of the house likes cherry maters so a couple of those. And then, I had the brilliant idea of adding yellow crook neck squash. And it went everywhere. Next time, I'll trellis it. It absolutely took over and choked out most of the tomatoes I think.

[@jasonwish-]

@@FrankD518 This makes me think of one of my favorite books as a child that my mom would read to me, Willie's Garden, he started with one seed and each year planted more and more until he had acres of garden 😂

[@adventuringwiththekelleys]

Dude, I live super close to the Little Manatee and right on the Manatee. You may not remember who I am, but I've done a bit of surveying in the past for you and your family when I lived in Bellefontaine.

[@jasonwish-]

Wow that is crazy! Pretty cool that you stumbled upon my channel...thanks for watching and commenting!

[@adventuringwiththekelleys]

@Jason Wish - Wishwell Farms I found your channel as a recomended channel based on the videos I typically watch. I enjoy the content you create. Keep up the adventures man.

[@jeffarthur322]

Howdy fellow Buckeye , We have canoed Michigan rivers for over 30 years Never the little

[@jasonwish-]

I think I enjoyed the LMR as much as the Big and the Pine and the Ausable, just not enough camping options. I'm sure I"ll be back on it again someday. What are some of your other favorite rivers similar to the ones I mentioned?

[@matthewpulliam7473]

Great video, as usual! From your experience, do you think the LM is free enough of obstructions to use an inflatable packraft rather than a hard shell kayak? Thank you!

[@jasonwish-]

I think it would probably be ok. The first few miles might have some pretty tight areas to get through but after that it would be just fine.

[@matthewpulliam7473]

@@jasonwish- thank you!

[@MiamiMattOutdoors]

Hi there! Planning on kayak camping this summer the Little Manistee. Did you post the Gaia GPS coordinates? Great video!

[@jasonwish-]

Thanks! I have all the GPX files of my trip saved on Gaia. I will try to add them to the description. Is there anything specific you are looking for?

[@jasonwish-]

I shared my Gaia GPS files of each day in the description. Just let me know if I can be of any further help.

[@MiamiMattOutdoors]

Hey there! I was just looking to see the camping areas you pinned. Looking to complete this trip next summer. Thank you so much for posting it 🙏🏼 Love your videos and very impressed. If you ever come down to Miami, FL to camp in Everglades national Park or in Big Cypress please hit me up. 🤙🏼

[@jasonwish-]

@@MiamiMattOutdoors I've added pin drops in the video descriptions. If we can ever get away to the Big Cypress area we will give you a shout, thanks!

[@ChavsADV]

What do you use to determine whether the site is private or open for camping?

[@jasonwish-]

There are no "sites" for camping along this river except for one campground at the beginning and another one about 1/3 of the way through. Normally when you don't see any no tresspassing signs you are on public land where it is ok to set up a camp. A little planning ahead of time to know where the public land is located is the wise thing to do. It often shows up on some map layers.

[@adventureswithfrodo2721]

There are not king s i. That ric Ver.

[@jasonwish-]

I actually spoke with the head of the DNR about the fishing regulations after my trip and he told me that is what they were as well as numerous fisherman along the way, so yes, they were.

[@andrewnemecek4898]

Every year in the spring we fish that river your prob the 6ths person ive ever seen on that river in a kayak 😂

[@jasonwish-]

Yes, most of that river sees very little kayak and canoe traffic, great river though!

[@andrewnemecek4898]

@@jasonwish- yes it is it was cool seeing our fishing spot in your video