The only rivers presently needing a non-motorized watercraft permit in Michigan are the Pere Marquette and the Pine. Permits are required for certain sections of these two rivers from Memorial Day Friday to Labor Day. According to the U. S. Forest Service...

Reservation Information:

  • Permits may be reserved in advance beginning January 1st each year.
  • Permits may also be obtained on the same day you plan to take a river trip. Keep in mind, opportunities for obtaining a permit without a reservation may be limited particularly
    for weekends, holidays, or on a certain stretches of the Pere Marquette River.
  • A permit is not considered reserved until payment has been received. Payment must be received within 14 days of making a reservation. If payment is not received during this time, your permit(s) will be released without notification. Any payment received after 14 days will be returned.
  • The reservation fee is $2/watercraft permit/day. This fee is neither refundable nor transferable.
  • Each reservation is limited to a maximum of 8 watercraft permits.
  • A maximum of 4 reserved trip dates, at one time, including one holiday weekend, per person will be allowed.
  • Permits must be picked up by 10:00 a.m. on the day of a trip unless other arrangements are made.
  • Preferred 2021 method of reserving permits is through www.recreation.gov or contact the Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger Station to make your reservation. Their phone number is
    231-745-4631 and their address is 650 North Michigan Avenue in Baldwin MI 49304.

We have not found any rivers in Wisconsin that require a non-motorized watercraft permit.