Hidden Paradise Gems | the Betsy River

Betsy River Compliments Jennifer McKay

North of the blinking light at the intersection of the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway and North Whitefish Point Road in Paradise, Michigan, you'll find the Betsy River on North Whitefish Point Road.  Located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, north of Paradise, Michigan and south of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, the Betsy River meanders through Whitefish Point.  It is not as large or as well known as the mighty Tahquamenon River. There are no jaw-dropping falls but the serenity of the Betsy River offers incredible photographic opportunities, wildlife encounters, fishing, kayaking, and a re-connection to our precious earth.  A true hidden gem is the history behind the river.  The history is almost as intriguing as a visit to its shores.

The headwaters of the Betsy River begin at Betsy Lake, it flows until it becomes the Widewaters area, then river again to Shelldrake Lake, another short stretch of river into the Shelldrake Flooding Area, then the Shelldrake Dam, then finally River until it empties into Lake Superior at what was once the town of Shelldrake.  As far as kayaking, there is excellent paddling* from the dam all the way up through the Widewaters with plenty of wildlife to see. Moose, eagles, large pike, beaver, turtles and plenty of water fowl have been sited. North of the Widewaters the river gets too gnarly to navigate and the same for most of South of the dam.  Close to the mouth one can paddle again.

Jan McAdams Huttenstine identifies the name, Betsy as a local identification of the Shelldrake River.  The name hails from the daughter of George and Betsy Brown, one of the last remaining Objibwe** families.  George Brown used his fishing and trapping skills along the broad stretch of Whitefish Point finding moose and deer to feed his family.  While, trapping beaver, otter, mink, rabbit, fox, wolf, and bear, selling and trading their hides to provide other essentials.   During the fall and winter months he followed the habits of this local game as did his predecessors moving his family to the Shelldrake River shores where he could provide for his family.

Today the Shelldrake offers habitat for fish and wildlife.  The Michigan Tahquamenon River State Park posts the Shelldrake as a viable fishing hole in their Tahquamenon Area Fishin' Holes Flier. Listing the Shelldrake as location five (5) offering northern pike, yellow perch, bullhead,and bluegill in the main channel.  Local fisherman identify fishing the Shelldrake Dam area as ideal for fishing without a boat catching Perch and Pike, encouraging the use of crawlers, mepps, roostertails, and spoons.  A good color for this area is orange.

At North Whitefish Point Road bridge over the Betsy River you'll find the Little Traverse Conservancy https://landtrust.org/ of Harbor Springs, Michigan, has added to their conservancy a donation of land along the southern shore line of the Betsy River.  The Little Traverse Conservancy "serves to protect the natural diversity and beauty of norther Michigan by preserving significant land and scenic areas."   Little Traverse Conservancy preserves remain open to the public for appropriate and respectful use. The rich history of this region can be preserved for future generations.

You'll also find a few wild blueberry bushes close to the bridge.  Bushes that provided life sustaining nourishment to the Objibwe for generations and peak into the history of the Betsy River.

*As reported by avid local paddlers
**Remotely Yours, A Historic Journey Into the The Whitefish Point Area, Jan McAdams Huttenstine, May, 2010, p. 56-57

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This information is brought to you by the Paradise Area Tourism Council and their members:  Curley's Paradise Motel, Magnuson Grand Lakefront Paradise, Paradise Inn (Hotel), Paradise Shores Cabins, and Vagabond Motel. Sign up for our newsletter to stay current on activities in the area