Cannon River Ranch
The Finest Trout Camp East of the Mississippi
click photos for a larger view
The Pere Marquette is a “National Wild and Scenic River” by act of Congress, a “Natural River”and “Blue Ribbon Trout Stream” in the State of Michigan. The river includes some of the finest trout water in the nation. This is the largest private holding with 7 MILES of frontage on the Pere Marquette mainstream, counting both sides, and more than a square mile of land.
Quality hatches of mayflies, especially the gray drake and hex hatches, plus caddis and stoneflies provide tremendous dry fly angling for resident rainbow and brown trout. Spring and fall tens of thousands of steelhead and king salmon run the river from Lake Michigan. The Pere Marquette is extremely popular with fly fishermen and has been recognized as a world-class trout stream.
The Pere Marquette was the location of the first brown trout introduction in the United States in 1884. Rainbow trout were planted a year later. These early introductions developed into a self-sustaining migratory steelhead population.
One of the first “flies only” stretch of waters in Michigan was established on the Pere Marquette in 1970 adjacent to the property. It was recognized back then as one of the few high quality fishing rivers remaining in the nation. Don’t grieve if you didn’t find your camp back then, 50 years ago. It’s still one of the few that remains, and people that fish it often say the fishing keeps getting better. Today the river nurtures large populations of resident brown trout and provides world-class fishing opportunities for steelhead and salmon.
To qualify for National Wild and Scenic designation, a river must be free-flowing and “possess outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish and wildlife, historic, cultural or other similar values.”
Cannon River Ranch has an Adirondacks style Lodge built in 1929 of white ash and wormy chestnut, a Tackle House, Barn, Caretaker’s House, and four newer cabins sited along the river. a trout pond shaded by hardwoods is fed by the river. Mineral rights are included. And all of this is surrounded and protected by vast Federal forests.
To the best of our knowledge, based on considerable research, we believe this to be the finest trout property east of the Mississippi. It has all the elements: Unusual size, with 7 miles of frontage and more than a square mile of land. A classic lodge you can’t reproduce with new construction. And because the property includes both sides of the river, you control it and won’t be looking at whatever someone decides to do on the other side. The fishing is spectacular, and not for just one species: This river produces large rainbows, German browns, steelhead, and king salmon.
It’s a fine wading stream or you can float it, and not just in one season. This is a great fishery all year. Resident rainbows are fair game all year. The German browns are in the river year round but the season is the regular trout season. When you’re not fishing you’ll be in a kayak, canoe, or on the trail on snowshoes, cross country skis, or a snowmobile. There’s excellent hunting for whitetail deer and grouse. The location makes it remarkably accessible. Baldwin is just six miles to the east for supplies, sporting goods, and services.
Cannon River Ranch has been owned by one family for nearly 70 years, since the early 1950’s. That’s because they saw the opportunity and acted on it. Now your family has the same opportunity. MLS#1860043 includes it all. If that’s too much to handle MLS#1860044 includes has the heart of the property with 5,906 feet of river, 158 acres of land, the historic Lodge, Tackle House, Caretakers House and Barn.
To truly experience the beauty, power, and magic of the river, you need to see the buildings and walk the land! And what are you doing this weekend that sounds like more fun?
Price: $6,690,000
Cannon River Ranch is available whole or can be split into smaller parcels of various sizes. New, lower prices are highlighted.
Cabin 1, Cabin 2, and Cabin 3 are offered at $750,000 each. They will be sold furnished
with title insurance, a legal deeded easement to County Road MAC, and underground power.
A building lot, 3.01 acres, 806’+/- river frontage between the Cabin #1 and Cabin #2 parcels is priced at $295,000.
Cabin #4 with 6.1 acres and 889′ of frontage of frontage on the west bank of the river north of Section 34’s south line is offered at $800,000.
The Lodge, 165 acres, and 5,5000’+/- including both sides of the river, Caretaker’s house, and three storage sheds, is offered at $2,500,000.
124.09 acres with 9,518’+/-, 1.8 miles of vacant frontage, between the Cabin 3 and Cabin 4
parcels, west of the river, east of Mac Rd., is offered at $2,620,000.
173.5 acres with 11,770′ (2.2 miles!) of vacant frontage east of the Pere Marquette River from Section 27 in the north, to Kinney Creek in Section 34, is available at $2,900,000.
The whole 685-acre Cannon River Ranch remains available at the new price of $6,690,000.
Land contract financing may be available. If parts of the property are sold, the package price for everything that remains will be adjusted. Net income from renting the four cabins has been $80,000 – $90,000 over the last three years. The Lodge has not been in the rental pool for several years but has been rented in the past.
Please email uplakes@gmail.com, call my cell at 231-631-3317, or text if you have additional questions.