The Inland Waterway
Boating on Crooked Lake and the Inland Waterway
Crooked Lake is part of the Inland Waterway, Michigan’s longest chain of rivers and lakes, spanning 38.2 miles through Pickerel Lake, Crooked Lake, and the Crooked River, then through Burt Lake, Indian River, Mullett Lake, the Cheboygan River, and eventually into Lake Huron at Cheboygan. It is a Federal Designated Navigation Route under the jurisdiction of the Army Corps of Engineers. Navigation on the Crooked River generally limits boats to 25 feet with a 5 foot draft. The route features the Cheboygan River Lock and the Crooked River Lock.
See more information and history at The Inland Water Route Historical Society.
If you are entering Crooked River from Crooked Lake, you will need to pass through the Crooked River Lock. Marker #77 will lead you to the entrance. Daily and annual passes are available for purchase, and you must buy them at the lock. Visit the Emmet County website for more information and any updated pricing and scheduling.
2023 Crooked River Lock schedule:
April 24 – May 14, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
May 15 – June 25, from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
June 26 – August 6, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
August 7 – September 4, from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
September 5 – October 1, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
October 7 – October 8 (weekend only), from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
October 14 – October 15 (weekend only), from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
October 21 – October 22 (weekend only), from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2023 fees are $10/daily pass or $45/annual pass.
2023 Cheboygan River Lock schedule:
April 17 - April 30 Call to make an appointment (231) 627-9011.
May 1 - May 25
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
May 26, 27, 28, 29 (Memorial Day Weekend) 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
May 30 - September 4 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
September 5 - September 24 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
September 25 - October 14
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday - Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
October 15: **CLOSED**
October 16 - October 20 Call to make an appointment (231) 627-9011.The Cheboygan Lock closes for the season October 20, 2023 at 4:30 pm.
2023 Fees *CASH ONLY*
$6.00 Recreational $12.00 Commercial $45 Seasonal Pass $90 Commercial Seasonal Pass
For more information on boating and fishing on the Inland Waterway, check out fishweb.com’s interactive maps of the area and the Indian River Chamber of Commerce’s website.
For information about becoming a paddle steward of the waterway through Sea Grant Michigan, check out their website.
Fun fact!
The Alanson Swing Bridge is the smallest swing bridge in operation in the world, and it’s right here on the Inland Waterway.
The Alanson Swing Bridge is the smallest swing bridge in operation in the world, and it’s right here on the Inland Waterway.