and subsisted chiefly from fishing. The northwesternmost portion of the border follows a line from Lac Vieux Desert to the headwaters of the Montreal River. These are used for general aviation and charter. There are over 60 different species of mosquitoes living in Michigan, so they can be found practically anywhere. Indiana Bat Native to southern Michigan, the Indiana bat is a medium-sized mouse-eared species. ), while other associates them with good fortune. During the 1890s, Finnish immigrants began settling there in large numbers, forming the population plurality in the northwestern half of the peninsula. In 2005, ShermanTravel, LLC listed the Upper Peninsula as #10 in its assessment of all travel destinations worldwide. When winters arrive, it then travels south toward the Caribbean. [93] Fresh Great Lakes fish, such as the lake trout, whitefish, and (in the spring) smelt are widely eaten. [25] The DNRE verified five sets of tracks and two trail camera photos in Delta, Chippewa, Marquette, and Menominee counties since 2008. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The rest of the state is surrounded by four out of the five Great Lakes: Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. The species nearly went extinct from its natural Midwest range in the middle of the 20th century, but thanks to the preservation of its natural habitat, numbers have since rebounded. I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. [7], The Upper Peninsula contains 16,377 square miles (42,420km2),[8] about 29 percent of the land area of the state (exclusive of territorial waters, which constitute about 40% of Michigan's total jurisdictional area). The region is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, wolves, coyotes, deer, foxes, bears, bobcats, eagles, hawks, owls, and smaller animals. [2] The coldest temperature officially recorded in the Upper Peninsula was 48F (44C) in Humboldt in January 1915.[35]. Red-Shouldered Hawks reuse the same nesting area each year. NAUBINWAY, MI A wildlife park in Michigans Upper Peninsula is introducing four new additions this season, including Teddy Yakson. They enjoy hiding places such as logs or rocks that provide them with warmth and protection from predators. French colonists laid claim to the land in the 17th century, establishing missions and fur trading posts such as Sault Ste. [17][18] These reports increased in number over the first decade of the 21st century. In 2004, microbreweries began opening across the Upper Peninsula; 14 opened by 2014, and 23 by 2019. Find camping and overnight lodging options, reservation info, rules and regulations and more. Typically, the armor plates and jawbones of these fish are the only parts preserved. M-185 encircles Mackinac Island as the only state highway in the country without motor vehicles. There are approximately 17,000 black bears living in Michigan, and they mostly live in the upper peninsula. Hines Emerald Dragonfly Native to the Midwest, this species is characterized a luminous dark green hue and two yellow stripes on the sides. The name Massasauga comes from the Chippewa language, meaning Great River Mouth. Spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, and other invertebrates are probably among the most common animals in the state. When the scope is restricted to vertebrates, however, Michigan also has a lot of rodents like mice, rats, squirrels, and chipmunks. Among larger animals, deer are probably the most common. Regional Plant Lists By 1992, the population was only about 20, which made it one of the rarest mammals in the state, but numbers increased rapidly over the next several years. American dog tick: Active from May to November in Michigan forests and grassy areas. [34], The banana belt along the Wisconsin border has a more continental climate since most of its weather does not arrive from the lakes. American Indian casinos contribute to the tourist attractions and are popular in the UP. Covering some 10,000 acres of hardwood forests and shorelines, it is home to one of Michigans largest remaining populations of piping plovers, plus many of the aforementioned wild animals. From the state flower to the only flower completely endemic to the region, read more on the native plants in Michigan. White-tailed deer are another common animal found throughout Michigans forests and fields. Karner Blue Butterfly Identified by its purple-bluish wings and strange yellow spots, Karner blue is native to the Great Lakes states and the larger Midwest. ", 10.1674/0003-0031(2007)158[467:DAPOCE]2.0.CO;2, "DNRE Confirms Cougar Sighting in Michigan", "Invasive Phragmites Control and Management", "A Guide to the Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites", "The History of Emerald Ash Borer Discoveries in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan from 2005 to 2007", "Michigan's Extreme and Significant Weather Events", "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections", "Michigan's Population Topped 10 Million in 2020", "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990", "Pioneers: U.P. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan has three state universities (Lake Superior State University in Sault Ste. [86] Other ski areas are Pine Mountain located in Iron Mountain, Norway Mountain in the town of the same name, and the Porcupine Mountains located in Ontonagon. Of the greatest concern is Lyme disease as it can affect joints and the central nervous system if left untreated. [20] As late as January 2007, the DNRE's official position was that no cougars lived in Michigan. In some cases, commercial cartographers draw incorrect maps that inadvertently annex the Upper Peninsula into Wisconsin.[92]. Michigan The Upper Peninsula is rich in mineral deposits, including iron, copper, nickel, and silver. They are unlikely to be encountered by the average person, however. Pasty varieties include chicken, venison, pork, hamburger, and pizza, all of which many restaurants serve. While death is exceptionally rare, bite victims of this. Learn more about us & read our affiliate disclosure. [65][66], From approximately 1870 to 1915, about 32 quarries mined Jacobsville Sandstone in the Upper Peninsula, particularly near Marquette and the community of Jacobsville. However, the four counties bordering Wisconsin are in the Central Time zone. The Wolverine has become entrenched in the states culture and pride, with many schools, sports teams, and businesses using it as their mascot or logo. Michigan coyotes: Whats for dinner depends on what the Four of them have been detected in the state and the fifth one is just one you should know the symptoms of. law enforcement, legislation, rules and regulations, Accessible recreation opportunities in Michigan, All DNR-related boards, committees, and advisory groups, Find seasonal, part-time and full-time job openings with the DNR, information about volunteer and donation opportunities. The sandstone was used in many buildings, both locally and around the United States.[67]. 1. Use the button above to visit the target shooing and archery home page, or go directly to one of the pages below: Find snowmobile trail permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. The Lower Peninsula, which forms the shape of a mitten, borders the states of Indiana and Ohio to the south, while the Upper Peninsula borders Wisconsin to the west. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. It is habitat for frogs, salamanders, owls, raccoons, and many Meet the Largest Bear Ever Caught in Michigan - MSN The Great Lakes have a great effect on the larger part of the peninsula. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. There are five public access airports with turf runways and thirteen airports for the private use of their owners. It projects into Lake Superior and was the site of the first copper boom in the United States, part of a larger region of the peninsula called the Copper Country. [32] Because of the howling storms across Lake Superior, which cause dramatic amounts of precipitation, it has been said that the lake-effect snow makes the Keweenaw Peninsula the snowiest place east of the Rockies. In Michigan, the Southern Lower Peninsulas bobcat shooting season runs from January 1 to January 11. Beech bark disease and beech leaf disease both target species of beech trees. Wolverines were once commonly seen across Michigan, but by the early 1800s, their numbers had decreased significantly due to hunting and habitat loss. A total of 116,548 people live in the 18 towns and villages of at least 2,000 people, which cover 108.5 square miles (281km2)less than 1% of the peninsula's land area. Black Widows are fairly easy to recognize. Red-Bellied Woodpeckers will often steal the nests of other birds. Marie. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys. The biologists with the DNRE currently do not believe that there is a breeding population anywhere in the state, rather that the sighted animals are visitors to the state. WebMichigan's swamps have red and silver maples, cedars, balsams, willows, alders, black ash, elms, and dogwoods. The Brook Trout is actually part of the salmon family, making it not technically a trout. [69][70] The peninsula has extensive coastline on the Great Lakes, large tracts of state and national forests, cedar swamps, more than 150 waterfalls, and low population densities. [80][81] They are: US 2 in Iron County (Iron County Heritage Trail) and in Schoolcraft and Mackinac counties (Top of the Lake Scenic Byway), US 41 from Houghton to Copper Harbor (Copper County Trail, also a National Scenic Byway), M-35 (UP Hidden Coast Recreational Heritage Trail), M-123 (Tahquamenon Scenic Heritage Route) and M-134 (M-134 North Huron Byway), There are 43 airports in the Upper Peninsula. An 1847 survey established the east branch of the Montreal River as the border. [2] The Eagle Mine, a nickel-copper mine, opened in 2014. Ribbon snakes love water, but are excellent climbers too. These massive creatures stand over 6 feet tall and can weigh as much as 1,800 pounds! Beginner's Guide to Hunting The Upper Peninsula is separated from the Lower by the Straits of Mackinac, five miles (8km) across at the narrowest, and is connected to it by the Mackinac Bridge at St. Ignace, one of the longest suspension bridges in the world. There are about 15 wolves that live on Michigans Isle Royale National Park. Enter your email in the box below to get the most mind-blowing animal stories and videos delivered directly to your inbox every day. Adult males can reach heights between 3 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 250 pounds when fully grown. Beyond venomous snakes, Michigan also has six water snakes that include: Overall, Michigan has a lower number of snakes than many surrounding states. ESCANABA, MI - The number of fungal disease cases associated with Billerud Paper Mill in Michigans Upper Peninsula has grown to 104, health officials said. WildlifeInformer.com is your #1 source for free information about all types of wildlife and exotic pets. The last copper mine in the Copper Country was the White Pine mine, which closed in 1995. In the Upper Peninsula, visitors can view moose and deer in the Ottawa National Forest or try to spot a glimpse of a timber wolf while exploring Tahquamenon Falls State Park. The land in the Upper Peninsula was described in a federal report as a "sterile region on the shores of Lake Superior destined by soil and climate to remain forever a wilderness. Click the box above to see all species, or click the species group below. Several prominent legislators, including the region's long-serving state representative Dominic Jacobetti, attempted unsuccessfully to gain passage of such a bill in the 1970s. Houghton is where professional ice hockey was first started in 1904.[87][88]. NAUBINWAY, MI A wildlife park in Michigans Upper Peninsula is introducing four new additions this season, including Teddy Yakson. For other uses, see, Northern major peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Airports of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. The Upper Peninsula supplied 90% of America's copper by the 1860s. Beech bark disease and beech leaf disease both target Brown Recluse Spider. Michigan is home to a number of aquariums. Death due to Black Bear attacks only account for one death per year annually. Critics of the DNRE's position on the species, including the founder of the MCCR, say that the department is attempting to "avoid paying for a cougar management program". Coyote Lake Superior has the greatest effect on the area, especially the northern and western parts. This is about 48 miles from the southern Marquette County photo taken on October 6. These snakes live underground, beneath piles of leaf litter or in thickets, and they are expert swimmers. Until the bridge was completed in 1957, travel between the two peninsulas was difficult and slow (and sometimes even impossible during winter). It ranges across most of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, so its important to be aware of what these snakes look like when outdoors in Michigan. According to the DNR, wolves are native to Michigan and the current U.P. If you do see a wolf, do not run away. Mont Ripley, just outside Houghton, is popular among students of Michigan Technological University (the university actually owns the mountain). They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food. However, as union strength in the peninsula declined, in the 2010s the region has become more leaning towards the Republican Party (though split-ticket voting at the local level became a common practice). Because of the skiing, camping, boating, fishing, snowmobiling, hunting, and hiking opportunities, many Lower Peninsula and Wisconsin families spend their vacations in the UP, and tourists visit from Detroit, Chicago, Grand Rapids, Milwaukee, and other metropolitan areas. Nestled in the heart of Michigans Upper Peninsula, the St. Marys River flows between Lake Superior and Lake Huron, offering a diverse range of habitats for A popular bumper sticker, a parody of the "Say YES to Michigan" slogan promoted by state tourism officials, shows an outline of the Upper Peninsula and the slogan, "Say ya to da UP, eh!" In Michigan black bears, gray wolves and cougars should be indicators of the healthy state of the ecosystem. [11], The Keweenaw Peninsula is the northernmost part of the peninsula (not counting Isle Royale, which is politically part of the UP). Pointe Mouillee State Game Area attracts thousands of ducks each year from October through April. John Jacob Astor founded the American Fur Company on Mackinac Island in 1808; however, the industry began to decline in the 1830s as beaver and other game were overhunted.[3]. Many types of snakes are attracted to water sources like ponds and streams. There are one Interstate Highway, five US Highways and 24 other state highways in the Upper Peninsula. Details on season dates and bag limits can be found in the Fur Harvester Digest.. Winters tend to be long, cold, and snowy for most of the peninsula, and because of its northern latitude, the daylight hours are shortaround 8hours between sunrise and sunset in the winter. Mosquitoes are attracted to water so try to avoid standing water or water-drenched plains if you are looking to escape them. Eastern milk snakes are relatively common throughout the Eastern United States, including Michigan. They also range northward to Labrador in the east and Northern Alaska in the west. American bittern ( Botanus Michigan is home to many common forest-dwelling and freshwater animals. long distance to market, lack of infrastructure) make the Upper Peninsula poorly suited for agriculture. Michigan is home to a variety of animals, and some can pose a threat to humans. The four counties that border Wisconsin are also in the Central Time Zone, unlike the rest of Michigan, which is on Eastern time. WebSquirrels, rabbits, and pheasants are more abundant in southern Michigan, and while there are good hunting opportunities for these animals on public land areas in the region, it is also often easier to get permission to hunt these small game on the predominantly private land in this region, rather than to compete for access to hunt white-tailed Michigan is home to a wide variety of wildlife, some that is harmless and some that can be dangerous. The repopulation of wolves in this region has occurred naturally as they have expanded their territory. They have a symbiotic relationship with ants. As noted earlier, only one of these snakes is venomous, which is the eastern massasauga rattlesnake. Rat snakes and milk snakes are both common species of snake found in Michigan. Poweshiek Skipperling Identified by its luminous strange, looking brown and orange wings, this rare prairie butterfly once stretched across most of the Midwest, but it has since suffered from habitat degradation. Spiders, grasshoppers, crickets, and other invertebrates are probably among the most common animals in the state. Michigan is also well-known for its waterfowl populations. The wolfs main prey there are deer, elk, moose and beaver. Michigan First inhabited by Algonquian-speaking native American tribes, the area was explored by French colonists, then occupied by British forces, before being ceded to the newly established United States in the late 18th century. [68] Stands of hemlock and hardwood in the western reaches of the forest experienced larger scale selection-cutting beginning in the mid-20th century. Daylight saving time is observed peninsula-wide. These are the 5 invasive diseases Michigan residents should Like ticks, mosquitoes themselves are more of an annoyance than a danger. It has many of the same animals as the other state parks. NEW! Grey wolves travel in packs and typically stay within their packs territory. They have a light brown hue with yellow spots and are found near rocks and inside logs. [71][72] In 2019, their annual economic impact totaled $346 million. Some iron mining continues near Marquette. Michigan is home to many species of animals, some of which are endangered or threatened. [24] A citizen's group, the Michigan Citizens for Cougar Recognition (MCCR), independently tracked sightings and in 2009 listed Delta County as the location with the greatest number of reports in the state. In addition to these two environments, Michigan is also bordered by four of the five Great Lakes, which provide distinct habitats for aquatic plants like wild rice, water lilies, and reed grasses. Most known members are native to the Maple River in Emmet County, located near the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula. In the 19th century, mining dominated the economy, and the UP became home to many isolated company towns. In spring, the male bobolink is the only North American bird who is dark below and light colored above. An analysis of data collected in 2022 produced an estimate of 631 wolves, give or take 49, the Department of Natural Resources said Herman averages 236 inches (5.99m) of snow every year.