Pure Michigan’s wild elk herd is flourishing, with over 1,000 elk living in an 105,000-acre area in the northeast Lower Peninsula. This fall, when you’re looking to get away, take a trip up to the Pigeon River Country State Forest near Gaylord and see if you can catch a glimpse of a Michigan’s majestic elk! Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area was established in 1956 when three impoundments in the Pigeon River Valley were given to the state. These included Mongo, Nasby and Ontario reservoirs. Since then the state has acquired additional land along the river valley. The legislation also tasked the DNRE with assessing equestrian access to the Pigeon River Country State Forest, Gladwin Field Trial Area, Lapeer State Game Area, Lost Nations State Game Area.
The Pigeon River Country (PRC) is a treasured destination for hunters, fishermen, hikers, campers, bikers, horseback riders, mushroomers, canoeists and photographers. It is dedicated to offering solitude and contemplative recreation to those who seek freedom and quiet beauty among wild undeveloped woods, waters and wildlife.
Hemingway called the Pigeon River Country “the greatest I’ve ever been in”. P.S. Lovejoy called it “the Big Wild”. He and other conservationists who loved the Pigeon River Country wanted to protect it for future generations.
It began in 1919 with 6,468 acres of tax-reverted properties, a “Pine Barrens” expanse of lumbered and often burnt-over land. Today the Pigeon River Country State Forest is, at nearly 107,000 acres, the largest contiguous tract of wild land in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It is home to one of the largest elk herds in the eastern U.S., bear, bobcat, pine marten, eagle and osprey, and three of the Midwest’s premier trout streams, the Pigeon, Sturgeon and Black Rivers. Still today, its trails and back roads are “not cut up by heavy traffic at all” as Hemingway once wrote.
The Pigeon’s unique sense of place survives because of conservation efforts of many people over the last century, including Herman Lunden and P.S. Lovejoy and countless, more anonymous others. Conservation involves not only honoring the best past practices and protecting the forest as it is today, but looking into the future to imagine and implement our best vision of what the forest can be. Each of us can play a role in that. The forest is silent. The rivers keep their secrets, as any fisherman will tell you. But there are stories of how scrub land have become the lush forest and clear rivers we see today.
In the mid-1930’s, there were two Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the forest. Among their accomplishments is the Forest Manager’s residence, built in 1935-1936. It was vacated in 2003 but in 2018 became the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center, founded to increase awareness and appreciation of “the Big Wild” and to urge visitors to become stewards of and advocates for the forest.
It contains the original manager’s office from the 1930s, along with exhibits about the elk, Hemingway’s time in the Pigeon, activities to be enjoyed while you visit the forest, the more recent history of oil and gas development, and the 2015 removal of the dam across the Pigeon River. Educational classes focused on environmental education are offered periodically.
Concept of Management
The PRC, designated as a “special management unit” in 1973, now consists of approximately 170 square miles of state land containing streams, lakes, wild forests, dense swamps, and rolling hills. To preserve its wild characteristics, special objectives were adopted by the Natural Resources Commission in 1973 and reaffirmed in 2007.Stated objectives include sustaining a healthy elk herd; managing game species such as woodcock, grouse, deer, and others for hunting and viewing opportunities; protecting water quality, stream habitat, and managing the streams for a naturalized trout fishery and the lakes for trout and game fish; providing recreational opportunities for people in keeping with the wild qualities of the area; and protecting Pigeon River Country (PRC) from overuse and over-development that could destroy its wild character.
The PRC, designated as a “special management unit” in 1973, now consists of approximately 170 square miles of state land containing streams, lakes, wild forests, dense swamps, and rolling hills. To preserve its wild characteristics, special objectives were adopted by the Natural Resources Commission in 1973 and reaffirmed in 2007.Stated objectives include sustaining a healthy elk herd; managing game species such as woodcock, grouse, deer, and others for hunting and viewing opportunities; protecting water quality, stream habitat, and managing the streams for a naturalized trout fishery and the lakes for trout and game fish; providing recreational opportunities for people in keeping with the wild qualities of the area; and protecting Pigeon River Country (PRC) from overuse and over-development that could destroy its wild character.
Blue Lakes
The PRC in 1990 acquired the major part of Blue Lakes (10’N 22’W) Ranch in Montmorency County, some 2,600 acres containing three lakes and more than two miles of frontage along the Black River. Access is walk-in only: except for the designated parking area on the west side and a half-mile-long two-track on the east side. A ban on all motorized vehicles helps maintain the wild character of this tract.
The PRC in 1990 acquired the major part of Blue Lakes (10’N 22’W) Ranch in Montmorency County, some 2,600 acres containing three lakes and more than two miles of frontage along the Black River. Access is walk-in only: except for the designated parking area on the west side and a half-mile-long two-track on the east side. A ban on all motorized vehicles helps maintain the wild character of this tract.
Green Timbers
Scenic vistas, prime wildlife habitat and eight miles of Sturgeon River (10’N 34’W) frontage dominate this 6,300-acre tract on the west side of the PRC, known as Green Timbers. Purchased by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from McLouth Steel in 1982, Green Timbers is closed to motor vehicles, including snowmobiles. This gives both people and wildlife a place without motors and provides the visitor an opportunity to enjoy some of northern Michigan’s remote backcountry.
Scenic vistas, prime wildlife habitat and eight miles of Sturgeon River (10’N 34’W) frontage dominate this 6,300-acre tract on the west side of the PRC, known as Green Timbers. Purchased by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from McLouth Steel in 1982, Green Timbers is closed to motor vehicles, including snowmobiles. This gives both people and wildlife a place without motors and provides the visitor an opportunity to enjoy some of northern Michigan’s remote backcountry.
Recognition
The Discovery Center received an Award of Excellence in 2019 from the American Association of State and Local History, one of only 50 given in the entire United States. The AASLH states in its press release: “The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.”
The Discovery Center received an Award of Excellence in 2019 from the American Association of State and Local History, one of only 50 given in the entire United States. The AASLH states in its press release: “The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history.”
The Michigan Hemingway Society has designated the Discovery Center as a stop in their “Hemingway’s Michigan” tour and will include the Discovery Center in their tour brochure.
The Pigeon River Country (PRC) is a treasured destination for hunters, fishermen, hikers, campers, bikers, horseback riders, mushroomers, canoeists and photographers. It is dedicated to offering solitude and contemplative recreation to those who seek freedom and quiet beauty among wild undeveloped woods, waters and wildlife.Hemingway called the Pigeon River Country “the greatest I’ve ever been in”. P.S. Lovejoy called it “the Big Wild”. He and other conservationists who loved the Pigeon River Country wanted to protect it for future generations.
It began in 1919 with 6,468 acres of tax-reverted properties, a “Pine Barrens” expanse of lumbered and often burnt-over land. Today the Pigeon River Country State Forest is, at nearly 107,000 acres, the largest contiguous tract of wild land in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. It is home to one of the largest elk herds in the eastern U.S., bear, bobcat, pine marten, eagle and osprey, and three of the Midwest’s premier trout streams, the Pigeon, Sturgeon and Black Rivers. Still today, its trails and back roads are “not cut up by heavy traffic at all” as Hemingway once wrote.
Pigeon River State Game Area Indiana
The Pigeon’s unique sense of place survives because of conservation efforts of many people over the last century, including Herman Lunden and P.S. Lovejoy and countless, more anonymous others. Conservation involves not only honoring the best past practices and protecting the forest as it is today, but looking into the future to imagine and implement our best vision of what the forest can be. Each of us can play a role in that. The forest is silent. The rivers keep their secrets, as any fisherman will tell you. But there are stories of how scrub land have become the lush forest and clear rivers we see today.
In the mid-1930’s, there were two Civilian Conservation Corps camps in the forest. Among their accomplishments is the Forest Manager’s residence, built in 1935-1936. It was vacated in 2003 but in 2018 became the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center, founded to increase awareness and appreciation of “the Big Wild” and to urge visitors to become stewards of and advocates for the forest.
It contains the original manager’s office from the 1930s, along with exhibits about the elk, Hemingway’s time in the Pigeon, activities to be enjoyed while you visit the forest, the more recent history of oil and gas development, and the 2015 removal of the dam across the Pigeon River. Educational classes focused on environmental education are offered periodically.
Concept of Management
The PRC, designated as a “special management unit” in 1973, now consists of approximately 170 square miles of state land containing streams, lakes, wild forests, dense swamps, and rolling hills. To preserve its wild characteristics, special objectives were adopted by the Natural Resources Commission in 1973 and reaffirmed in 2007.Stated objectives include sustaining a healthy elk herd; managing game species such as woodcock, grouse, deer, and others for hunting and viewing opportunities; protecting water quality, stream habitat, and managing the streams for a naturalized trout fishery and the lakes for trout and game fish; providing recreational opportunities for people in keeping with the wild qualities of the area; and protecting Pigeon River Country (PRC) from overuse and over-development that could destroy its wild character.
The PRC, designated as a “special management unit” in 1973, now consists of approximately 170 square miles of state land containing streams, lakes, wild forests, dense swamps, and rolling hills. To preserve its wild characteristics, special objectives were adopted by the Natural Resources Commission in 1973 and reaffirmed in 2007.Stated objectives include sustaining a healthy elk herd; managing game species such as woodcock, grouse, deer, and others for hunting and viewing opportunities; protecting water quality, stream habitat, and managing the streams for a naturalized trout fishery and the lakes for trout and game fish; providing recreational opportunities for people in keeping with the wild qualities of the area; and protecting Pigeon River Country (PRC) from overuse and over-development that could destroy its wild character.
Blue Lakes
The PRC in 1990 acquired the major part of Blue Lakes (10’N 22’W) Ranch in Montmorency County, some 2,600 acres containing three lakes and more than two miles of frontage along the Black River. Access is walk-in only: except for the designated parking area on the west side and a half-mile-long two-track on the east side. A ban on all motorized vehicles helps maintain the wild character of this tract.
The PRC in 1990 acquired the major part of Blue Lakes (10’N 22’W) Ranch in Montmorency County, some 2,600 acres containing three lakes and more than two miles of frontage along the Black River. Access is walk-in only: except for the designated parking area on the west side and a half-mile-long two-track on the east side. A ban on all motorized vehicles helps maintain the wild character of this tract.
Green Timbers
Scenic vistas, prime wildlife habitat and eight miles of Sturgeon River (10’N 34’W) frontage dominate this 6,300-acre tract on the west side of the PRC, known as Green Timbers. Purchased by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from McLouth Steel in 1982, Green Timbers is closed to motor vehicles, including snowmobiles. This gives both people and wildlife a place without motors and provides the visitor an opportunity to enjoy some of northern Michigan’s remote backcountry.
Scenic vistas, prime wildlife habitat and eight miles of Sturgeon River (10’N 34’W) frontage dominate this 6,300-acre tract on the west side of the PRC, known as Green Timbers. Purchased by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from McLouth Steel in 1982, Green Timbers is closed to motor vehicles, including snowmobiles. This gives both people and wildlife a place without motors and provides the visitor an opportunity to enjoy some of northern Michigan’s remote backcountry.
Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area
Location Address:
8310 E. 300 N.
Howe, IN 46746
Mailing Address:
8310 E. 300 N.
Howe, IN 46746
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 71
Mongo, IN 46771
260-367-2164
Office Hours: M-F: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ET
Get Directions
Mongo, IN 46771
260-367-2164
Office Hours: M-F: 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. ET
Get Directions
Pigeon River FWA advisories
Pigeon River State Forest Map
Pigeon River State Game Area
- Properties are operating hunt and trap draws differently in this year due to COVID-19. View the property procedures.
- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has adjusted services, events and operations to protect Hoosiers and prevent further spread of COVID-19. Please visit on.IN.gov/dnrcovid19 for a listing of what is open, closed, restricted and canceled.
- DescriptionThis property is a stop on theLearn more at www.indianabirdingtrail.com.Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 11,794 acres of land, 529 acres of lakes and impoundments and 17 miles of free flowing river.The area was established in 1956 when three reservoirs in the Pigeon River Valley were given to the state. These included Mongo, Nasby and Ontario. Since then, the state has acquired additional land along the river valley.
- ActivitiesFishing
- Property has 17 miles of river, 266 acres of lakes, 263 acres of impoundments and 356 acres of restored open water wetlands.
- Most fishing areas and portions of the Pigeon River are closed during waterfowl seasons. Ask at office for restrictions.
- Primary species include catfish, crappie, bluegill, northern pike, smallmouth bass, redear, largemouth bass, rough fish, trout and yellow perch.
- Boats with electric motors are allowed on lakes and ponds. See map for boat ramp locations.
- Shoreline fishing is available on Beaver Dam Lake, Stayner Lake, Little Stayner Lake, Troxel, Mongo, Nasby and Ontario millponds, Massasauga Marsh, East Pool, Rainbow Pit and Catfish Pond.
- All state size and bag limits apply. No registration is required for fishing at Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area. See a copy of the current fishing regulations for details.
Hunting- Hunting for furbearers, deer, quail, rabbit, squirrel, waterfowl, dove, pheasant and wild turkey is common.
- Daily registration is required. All hunting seasons and bag limits apply.
- Special hunts include youth waterfowl, daily waterfowl drawings, drawings for turkey hunting and put-and-take pheasant hunts
- Waterfowl drawings are held as needed at 5:30 a.m.
- The first two days of dove season, the drawing is done online (reserved.) Reserved hunters must check-in by 11 a.m. No-show drawings for dove season are done on-site at 11 a.m.
- For all of the spring turkey hunting season, the drawings are done online (reserved.) Reserved hunters must check-in by 5:30 am. No-show drawings for spring turkey hunting are held at 5:30 a.m.
- Put-and-take pheasant hunters may claim their reservation daily 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
- Deer tree stands and ground blinds may be used and left unattended from noon, Sept. 15 through Jan. 10. Tree stands and ground blinds must be legibly marked in English with either the owner's DNR customer identification number or the owner’s name, address and telephone number. A fastener used in conjunction with a tree stand and a tree or pole climber that penetrates a tree more than ½ inch is prohibited (anything that penetrates a tree more than a ½ inch is prohibited, i.e. screw-in steps and screw-in bow and gun hangers).
- Area A is designated for dog training.
- The trapping drawing is held annually at 10 a.m. on the first Saturday of October.
- Hunting areas accessible to persons with disabilities are available. Ask for details at office.
- Youth hunting/shooting events are available. Ask at office.
Volunteer Opportunities- Need a reason to get outside and move? You can volunteer alone or in small groups at this property. Some activities include trash pick-up, basic gardening, painting, and more. Call the property office for details.
Wildlife Watching- The area is a long narrow property along the flood plain of the Pigeon River. It provides excellent waterfowl watching during the spring migration.
- Mushrooms, berries, and nuts may be gathered, however a written permit is required to remove plants, animals, rocks, and fossils.
- Registration at the office is not required for scouting, hiking, mushroom hunting or wildlife watching.
Shooting Range- A rifle and archery range is located near the property headquarters. There is no fee for use.
- Target ranges are open to the public on a first come first serve basis. All shooters must obey range rules and regulations.
- See the Fish & Wildlife Area Shooting Ranges webpage for hours.
Neighboring Land- Tamarack Bog Nature Preserve, Curtis Creek Trout Rearing Station, Fawn River State Fish Hatchery and Pokagon State Park are located nearby.
NO Swimming Allowed.
Please Read and Obey All Signs.
A record of Fish & Wildlife Area property rules can be found on the Indiana Fish & Wildlife Area Rules webpage. Property specific rules can be found below, if applicable. Contact the property directly for specific questions.
Permits
In addition to a hunting and/or fishing license, the following permits are required:
- Permission to hunt during the day must be obtained before entering the field. Hunting badges or one-day hunting permit cards must be in the possession of the hunter at all times. Bagged game must be checked in through the check-in station or recorded through established self-service procedures outlined at the check-in station. Self-service drop boxes are located throughout the property for your convenience.
- Traffic on public roads through the area is governed by state and county laws. Traffic over service roads and trails, except by authorized vehicles, is restricted to walking. Park in designated lots only.
- Shooting of woodchucks (groundhogs) is NOT allowed.
- A permit from Pigeon River FWA headquarters is required to enter the waterfowl resting areas.
- Dog training is available in Area A only. Sign up and obtain permit at the office in Mongo.