Canoe or kayak down miles of rivers and streams, stop along the bank and take in some fishing.  There isn’t a more relaxing way to spend a quiet summer day.  Canoe and kayak rentals are available at Liquid Therapy in Three Rivers or Doe-Wah-Jacks in Dowagiac.

If you prefer lake fishing, launch your boat on one of our inland lakes.  St. Joseph County and our neighbor Cass County have more than a dozen boat launch and parking sites available in each county.  Click here for a map of the boat launch sites available.

Fishing seasons in the area for our most popular fish species:

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Season: Saturday Before Memorial Day – December 31st.

Walleye Season: Last Saturday in April – March 15th.

Catfish (Flathead & Channel) Season: Open all year round.

Yellow Perch, Sunfish and Blue Gill Season: Open all year round.

Contact Us for your personalized visitor packet or visitor guide to help make your stay in River Country a truly memorable one.

HAPPY FISHING!

]]> http://rivercountry.com/michigan-offers-free-fishing-weekend-in-june/feed/ 0 http://rivercountry.com/keeping-our-beautiful-st-joseph-county-rivers-clean%e2%80%a6/ http://rivercountry.com/keeping-our-beautiful-st-joseph-county-rivers-clean%e2%80%a6/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 11:33:23 +0000 River Country Tourism http://rivercountry.com/?p=1866 A Plan to Improve St. Joseph County‘s Green Infrastructure:

St. Joseph County, Michigan has more than 150 miles of navigable waterways – more than any other county in Michigan — and paddling enthusiasts know it!  People can access our rivers for a couple of hours of paddling or they can spend all day on the river and come out at sunset exhausted and happy. Weekend visitors to St. Joseph County paddle our six main rivers (Fawn, Portage, St. Joseph, Rocky, Prairie, and the White Pigeon) along with our sundry streams and creeks.

Dead trees have fallen into our rivers along with other debris making parts of our rivers almost impassable. This is why the St. Joseph County Conservation District views improving the condition and accessibility of our waterways as an essential part of its mission, “community development through conservation”.  The St. Joseph County Conservation District intends to take the next few years to clean all 150-miles of our rivers and help stimulate economic development.

History & Current Objectives :

During the summer of 2008, the Conservation District completed a river cleanup project on the Prairie River, Nottawa Creek, Fawn River, and Rocky River. Thirty-four miles of river were cleaned during that summer.  In continuation of that project, the Conservation District cleaned another 21.6 miles of river during the summer of 2011. It further intends to complete an additional 95.9 miles of river cleanup during the summers of 2012, 2013 and 2014.

The Conservation District accomplished another goal on September 17, 2011, they cleaned 21.60 miles of river from the Prairie, Fawn, and White Pigeon rivers. Volunteers helped the District reach their goal, having contributed 466.75 hours to this effort.

2012 Schedule – having successfully completed two volunteer debris pickup projects, our plan this year is:

Portage River – May 12th at 10:00 am (starting at the Portage Lake public access and ending at the Parkville Road bridge) Rain Date = May 19, 2012;

Prairie River – June 9th at 10:00 am (starting at the Canoe Park in Centreville and ending at Hoshel Road Canoe Camp) Rain Date = June 16, 2012;

Prairie River – June 23rd at 10:00 am (starting at Middle Colon Road bridge and ending at Needham Road bridge) Rain Date = June 30, 2012;

White Pigeon River – July 14th at 10:00 am (starting at the US-131 bridge and ending at Blue School Road bridge) Rain Date = July 21, 2012;

Rocky River – July 28th at 10:00 am (starting at the Floating Bridge Road bridge and ending at the US-131 bridge/Brewster’s) Rain Date August 04, 2012;

Nottawa Creek – August 11th at 10:00 am (starting at the Shorts Road bridge and ending at Fulton Road bridge) Rain Date = August 18, 2012;
St. Joseph River – August 25th at 10:00 am (starting at the Farrand Road bridge and ending at the Jacksonburg Road bridge) Rain Date = None;

Fawn River – September 8th at 10:00 am (starting at the Harlsey Square Road bridge and ending at the Fawn River Road bridge) Rain Date = September 15, 2012.   Click here to watch a kayak trip down the Fawn River.

A Volunteer Party is tentatively scheduled for October 6th, 2012.  Details will be announced.  During 2013, the District will identify what next sections of river to complete and schedule this work.

Long-Term (4+ years) Goals:

A long-term goal for this project would be to be capable of doing cleanup work on almost half of the county’s rivers per year into the future.

If you have any questions or concerns about the St. Joseph County Conservation District’s River Cleanup/Access Project, please visit their website, contact Robert Perry at 269-467-6336, ext. 5 or email: robert.perry@mi.nacdnet.net or John Nelson, jnelson22@charter.net, or at 269-599-3483.

Located near America’s Best Value Inn is  a variety of restaurants and winter fun at Swiss Valley Ski Area.   Golfing, canoeing or mini-golf are within minutes from the hotel.  Take a few days with the family to tour the area and visit the Amish communities and our beautiful lakes and rivers.  Conveniently located off US-131 on Broadway Street.

Call River Country’s toll-free number 800-447-2821 to make your plans to visit our area.  We can provide you with a visitor’s packet to fit your travel needs.  Stay a few days while shopping at our small towns, canoeing our 150 miles of rivers, play a round of golf or just drive through our area to see the working Amish farms and shop at the Amish stores in River Country.

Any way you look at it, this is a vacation that the whole family can enjoy.  Visit our lodging page for quick access to lodging links and contact information.

Lodging Discounts, Specials & Packages

HAMPTON INN, Sturgis:
◊Book your stay at least 14 days in advance and receive 15% off the advance purchase rate.  Book your business trip today.*

SUPER 8, Three Rivers:
◊ Memorial Day Weekend Deal: Book 7 days in advance and save 15% on your Memorial Day Weekend stay.*

◊ Weekend Getaway: Stay two nights and save 15%.*

◊ 15% off best available rate when you book 7 days in advance.*

AMERICA’S BEST VALUE INN, Three Rivers:
◊Save 20% off a stay of two or more consecutive days.  Booking Dates: 4/24/12 – 6/28/12*

*Some restrictions may apply.

Click here to go to our accommodations page for access to all our lodging facilities.

May starts off with the Antique & Collectibles Market (May 13), followed by the Antique Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet(May 19-20).

The fairgrounds is host to a variety of dog and horse shows starting in May and continuing throughout the summer months.  If you missed the Antique & Collectibles Market in May, you can take in the market on July 8th, August 12th and October 14th.

September brings the St. Joseph County Grange Fair, September 16-22, which boasts these grandstand events;  farm truck pulls, motocross, monster trucks, demolition derby, tribute to the Beatles show, modified truck and tractor pulls and finally a concert with country music sensation, Alan Jackson.

Call 269-467-8935 or visit their website for more information.

Check out our Amish Meandering/Self-Guided Tours page to see more of the Amish in River Country.

Visit some of the Amish shops to get a taste of how simple and relaxed life can be.

Bubbling Brook Farm
An organic CSA. Stop in and enjoy a tour of the farm and, when available, the bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables.  25374 Wasepi Rd, Centreville 269-467-8910

Countryside Greenhouse & Produce
Offering vegetable seeds, hanging baskets, top soil, coco bean shells, annuals, flowering plants and so much more on 20 acres of farmland. Call to place a fruit order or visit us at the Mendon, Battle Creek and Richland farmer’s markets. CSA shares available.
25920 Wasepi Rd, Centreville 269-467-4967

Miller’s Discount Store
A variety store offering groceries, bulk spices, grains, specialty flours and a huge selection of candy. Cheeses, glassware, wonderful baked goods and unique items.
24029 Truckenmiller Rd, Centreville 269-4935

Yoder’s Country Market
Visit Yoder’s to find quality meats, homemade salads and great baked goods. Household items, bulk foods and more. Stop in for lunch and eat on their outdoor patio.  375 Eleanor Dr, Centreville 269-467-4856

This is just a small sample of the wide variety of Amish businesses in River Country. Visit our Amish Meandering page for a full listing of Amish shops and or request a River Country Guide at our Contact Page.

Cade Lake Campground (Sturgis) – Located on the shore of Cade Lake covering 52 acres. Open for day use or overnight camping with 62 campsites, 44 modern. Boat rentals, playground, fishing, picnic shelter and tables, hiking trails, volleyball, restrooms. Take US-12 two miles east of Sturgis, then south 1/10 mile on Plumb School Road. 269-467-5519 website

Cranberry Lake Campground (Marcellus) – Nestled in the rolling hills with a magnificent lake view from almost every site. Great fishing, store, onsite manager, game room, boat launch, dump station, play area, swimming beach, horseshoes, laundry, shower house and flush toilets. The 2009 DNR SW Michigan Fish Contest winning Large Mouth Bass (6 lbs 6 oz) was caught at Cranberry Lake. 10301 Bent St, Marcellus 269-646-3336 website

Hidden Pond Campground (Nottawa) – Over 100 sites in clean, peaceful campground with 2,000 feet of river frontage. We offer swimming, fishing, paddle boating and canoeing on a spring fed pond. Also a playground, basketball court, horseshoes, volleyball, store, laundry, showers and dump station. 60735 Nottawa Rd, Nottawa 269-467-8684 website

Leidy Lake Campground (Colon) – Relax from the crowd, but close to home. Offers RV and primitive camp sites. Water and electrical hook up available as well as cabins, beach and open campfire pits. Enjoy hiking trails, fishing, picnic areas or take advantage of the canoe and kayak launch. Just 10 minutes from Colon, the Magic capital of the World. 29464 Colon Rd, Colon 269-432-3311 website

Steinke Resort (Burr Oak) – Cottage rentals and camping sites on Lake Lake near Colon.  Boat and dock rentals, swimming and play area.  Excellent pan and game fishing.  Bait, tackle and candy store.  Come step back to a quieter time!  31500 Steinke Landing, Burr Oak  269-432-3390 website

Take in some of our annual events such as the 56th Annual Three Rivers Water Festival (June 14-16th), complete with a carnival, fireworks and a parade.  Sturgis Days (June 27-30th) allows families to learn about the history of Sturgis, Michigan.   Enjoy magic acts from all over the world as famous magicians converge to Colon, Michigan, to participate in the 75th Annual Magic Festival (August 1-4th).  Fireworks, river contests and live entertainment are just some of the fun at the 25th Annual Mendon Riverfest (August 16-18th), along the banks of the St. Joseph River in Mendon, Michigan.  Visit the St. Joseph County Grange Fair (Sept. 16-22nd) to enjoy grandstand events such as Alan Jackson on September 22nd (tickets on sale starting 2/29/12).  The Three Rivers Color Tour (October 14th) has many locations for visitors to take in a classic car show, enjoy the scarecrow contest, participate in children’s games, and enjoy the beautiful change of colors in River Country.

We would like to prepare a custom visitor packet to help you plan your next trip to River Country.  Visit our Contact Page or call 800-447-2821 to receive a free customized visitor packet or request our new visitor guide.

Entertainment Schedule includes:

May 4-5:  Jesse Brown Band
11-12: Trigger
18:  DJ Alex
19:  Gunner & The Grizzly Boys
25-26:  Dani Jamerson

The Cowboy Up is located at 22046 M-60 in Mendon.  Call 269-469-7956 for more information.

Visit our St. Joseph County lakes to enjoy some ice fishing on February 18th and 19th.  Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan allows you to skip the fishing license and meet with family or friends on the ice for a day of winter fun.  All fishing regulations still apply.  Relax on one of our many lakes in River Country.  Visit Michigan’s DNR website for more information on our various species of fish, lakes, ice conditions and regulations.

Due to unseasonal weather conditions please call the parks to see if the winter activities are still taking place.  We have had little snow during the last couple of months.   Thank you

TUBING:
Dr. T. K. Lawless Park
Bundle the kids up for a night of winter fun at Dr. T. K. Lawless Park in Cass County, Michigan.  Discover Winter Nights offers lighted tubing hills for the public to enjoy (tubes are available at the park).  The park also offers three miles of lighted cross country ski trails, a warm bonfire and refreshments.  Discover Winter Nights will be held on January 21st and 28th, as well as, February 4th and 11th from 5pm – 9pm.   Sleigh rides are available on January 21st and February 11th.  Click the above link for details and fees or call 269-445-4456.

Meyer Broadway Park
Grab your mittens and hat and enjoy hours of exciting snow tubing at Meyer Broadway Park on one of our tubing hills and then warm up by the fire with some hot chocolate in the Dimmick Lodge.  Sleds are not permitted but we provide the tubes!  Groomed cross-country ski trails are also available seven days a week – weather and temperature permitting.  Click on the above link for details and fees. Hours:  Monday – Sunday  10am – 5pm    Call (269) 467-5519 for current weather conditions.  Tubing hills are available for group outings – call (269) 467-5519 or click on the above link for more information.

SKIING AND SNOWBOARDING AT SWISS VALLEY SKI AREA: 
Grab your gear and head over to Swiss Valley Ski Area for skiing or snowboarding on the terrain park.  Don’t miss the WINTER JAM.  Their annual nighttime BIG AIR event on February 2nd!

SNOWMAN MAKING CONTEST:  Downtown Three Rivers  January 28th
Gather friends and family to compete with other Michigan cities to build the most snowmen within a specific time limit.

SNOW FEST:  Bair Lake Bible Camp  January 29th  2-7pm
Enjoy a day of outdoor winter fun such as broomball, climing the ICE WALL or cross country skiing.  Visitors are welcome to come indoor for supper and try your skill at climbing the indoor rock wall.