Portage Marsh Wildlife Area

Mary Hunt

In April and October waterfowl and shorebirds visit this protected small bay and two-mile sand spit with trail two miles south of Escanaba. Shorebirds are plentiful on the beach, where you can swim, too.

Just south of Escanaba along Green Bay, there's excellent, easy birding here. At the mouth of Portage Creek a narrow, two-mile spit creates a protected small bay and coastal wetland complex of sand beach, cattail marsh, wet meadows, shrubby thickets, and inter-dunal ponds. Migrating waterfowl like to stop, usually in April and October. These 600 acres of varied state-owned habitat are surrounded by suburban development. They are a haven for all kinds of shore and wading birds, frogs, muskrat, and more. Bald eagles and Caspian and common terns are often seen. Hunting and trapping are permitted.

A simple foot trail goes out .6 mile on a dike toward Portage Point along the marsh-facing side. The sand beach on the spit's other side can be a good place to see shore birds, and to swim, too. By the gravel parking area is a launch spot for canoes, duck boats, and such, provided the water level is high enough. For more details and beautiful photos, visit http://mi.gov.dnr, see Wildlife & Habitat/watchable wildlife.

Here's a great place to spot all kinds of birds at the mouth of Portage Creek, where a 2-mile spit creates a protected bay and coastal wetland

From M-35 four miles south of U.S. 2/U.S. 41, Portage Point Rd. leads to the trailhead, parking area, and boat launch. Wheelchair access: path is too sandy, wasn't built for foot traffic. Parking area allows a marsh view.

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