Perch

Put-in: roadside pull-off from Michigan Hwy.28.: 46.51896 -88.66296

Take-out: Sturgeon Gorge Road: 46.56779 -88.65211

Alt.Take-out: Sturgeon River Campground: 46.56890 -88.65691

Drainage at put-in: 63.1 Sq.Mi.

Overall Gradient: ~30 FPM

Full-Mile Maximum Gradient: ~66 FPM

Run includes 0.5 mile paddle out (with good current and I-II rips) on Sturgeon.

The Perch River is of similar size to the Rock River. From M28 to the Sturgeon River, the Rock drops 240', while the Perch drops 260'.  So, one might expect the Perch River to be on par with (or even better than?) the Rock.

However, the Rock takes a more direct route, making it from M28 to the Sturgeon in about 3.5 miles, while the Perch meanders 8.8 miles to traverse M28 to the Sturgeon. As a result, the Perch has nearly 3.5 miles of low-gradient to start, then varies from 45 FPM to 66 FPM, whereas the Rock never falls under 54 FPM and has one mile at 100 FPM.

Much of the early going is prone to snags before you get to the middle of the run and the steepest mile (66FPM from mile ~4.5 to ~5.5). Things ease back (25-35 FPM) for nearly 3 miles before the last hoorah (final mile makes ~50 FPM).

So ... if you're totally bored, have done everything else around the U.P., and want to add a new river to your list, have at it. Otherwise, don't bother! If this has water, there's likely better places to spend your time!