Waters of the Inland Water Route

Map Map from early 1900's

Round Lake
Round Lake is approximately 330 acres in area. Water is shed from Mud Lake (south west), and a small stream in the same general vicinity. Round Lake flows into the Iduna Creek. The deepest spot is approximately 16 feet deep, it is located in the south central portion of the lake.
Several species of game fish inhabit Round lake they are: bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye.

A shallow boat launch access to Round Lake is possible from Powell Road.

Iduna Creek
Iduna Creek is a flowing stream that exits the east south east location on Round lake, it sheds water to the west shore of Crooked Lake.

Crooked Lake
Crooked Lake is approximately 2,300 acres in area. Watershed rivers and streams include: Iduna Creek, Pickerel Channel, Minnehaha River, and a nice cold water stream that exits from the State Fish Hatchery. Crooked Lake flows into the Crooked River. The deepest spot is approximately 61 feet deep, it is located west of Oden Island, and south of Oden. The bottom surfaces are sand, gravel, and mud.
Various types of game fish inhabit crooked lake they include: Rock bass, yellow perch, bluegill, small mouth bass, large mouth bass, northern pike, muskellunge, walleye, brown trout, and rainbow trout.

Boat launch access to Crooked Lake is possible via the following:
    Deep Launch at Windjammer Marina south Oden.
    Medium Launch (21 foot I/O) at the the north Conway public access ramp.
    Shallow Launch at Ryde Marina in Ponshewaing and the Channel Road public ramp.

Marina services and supplies as well as Gas are available at the Windjammer and Ryde Marinas.

Crooked River
Crooked River is about seven miles long. It contains a Lock/Weir and a Swing Bridge. There is a slight current in the river. Navigation is easy, the only real concerns may be waiting for your passage thru the one way Lock and Swing Bridge (give yourself plenty of room from the banks of the river and other boats). There are many tight corners on the river, but are exciting to navigate safely, to the observant captain.
    Crooked River Lock
There is an "Overhead Swing Gates" Lock and associated Weir on the river located about a half mile from the mouth of Crooked Lake. The elevation differential varies from approximately one to two feet. The lock typically handles four boats (20-25 ft) during busy times. Lock Masters are very helpful and instructive, they make the passage for new visitors very comfortable. There is a mooring area for about three boats to wait that is attached to the lock, a call button, if needed, is at the end of the mooring area, (most boaters simply wait in the river for the locks to open). A Red and Green signal light system will indicate when to enter the lock. The Lock Master will direct you to your lock mooring position. Hang on the provided lines at the bow and stern (if possible). If only one person is in the boat, hang on to the up-river line, as the boat will move down river when the locks open. Watch all the boats that are near you, when the locks open. It is also important to keep your boat off the rub rails as there may be something (nail/screw) to scratch your boat. Note: It is very easy to go through the lock, these are simply things to be aware of.
    The maximum allowable dimensions for watercraft are:
        Overall Length: 60 ft.
        Overall Width: 16 ft.
        Height approx. 15 ft.
        Draft approx.      6 ft.
The lock was installed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers during 1967 and completed March 1968.
Hours of operation are:

    Alanson Swing Bridge
"The Shortest Swing Bridge in the World" is a single lane bridge used for pedestrians, snowmobile, and automobile traffic. The original bridge built is 1902 was operated by a manual key pinion (about five feet high) on a rack. Today the rebuilt bridge (almost a replica) is operated by hydraulics and still uses a rack and pinion gear system. The approximate height clearance is 4 ft (a typical 21 ft I/O will clear by less than a foot). If you need to have the bridge opened, sound your horn three times, and wait (as all other boaters should). Passage for boaters, is one way. Plan ahead, keep an eye on traffic, wait your turn. It is easy to navigate the narrows at the bridge, however, be prepared for boats tying up and getting ready to get back boating from mooring docks and boats houses in the area. Busy days in this area can be quite congested.
Hours of operation:

The M-68 Bridge crosses Crooked River at the north edge of the village.

Public Docks and park (no dogs) are available just down river of the Swing Bridge.

Boat launch access to Crooked River is possible via the following:
    Deep Launch at Admirals Point Marina, north Alanson.
    Medium Launch (21 foot I/O) Spankys Marina, at the swing bridge.
    Shallow Launch at the Lock and Weir, Alanson.

Marina services and supplies as well as Gas are available at Spankys and Admirals Point Marina

Eating in Alanson consists the following:
    Dutch Oven Bakery, Baked goods, soup, sandwich etc. Main Street
    Lesters The Place for Ribs, Bar and restaurant, Old Depot Main Street
    Bob's Place, Bar and restaurant, Main Street
    Bar Restaurant on the River
    BC Pizza, pizza, Main Street

Fudge, gifts, hardware, ice cream, fishing supplies, party supplies, are all within walking distance of the public docks.

Burt Lake
Burt Lake is approximately 17,120 acres is area. Watershed rivers and streams include: Crooked River, Sturgeon River, Maple River, Hasler Creek, and the Little Carp River. Burt Lake flows into the Indian River. The deepest spot is approximately 75 feet deep located just north of a line between Colonial Point and Cedar Point. The bottom surfaces are sand, marl, clay, and gravel.
Various types of game fish inhabit Burt Lake they include: brown trout, ciscoes, muskellunge, rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth & largemouth bass, sturgeon, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, and yellow perch.

Boat launch access to Burt Lake is possible via the following:
    Deep launch at Burt Lake Marina.
    Medium launch (21 foot I/O) at Maple Bay, Burt Lake State Park.
    Shallow launch off Mullet Burt Road on the east shore of the north arm.

Marina services and supplies as well as Gas are available at the Burt Lake Marina, just south of the mouth of the Indian River.

A nice webpage documenting a small piece of history of a small portion of "Lake Chaboygan" (or Burt Lake).

Indian River...

Mullet Lake
Mullet Lake is approximately 17,360 acres in area. Watershed rivers and streams include: Indian River, Pigeon River, Mullet Creek, Hatt Creek, and Wing Creek. Mullet Lake flows into Cheboygan River. The deepest point at 120 feet is located northwest of a midpoint line between Topinabee, and Red Pine Point. The bottom surfaces are sand, marl, clay, and gravel.
Various types of game fish inhabit Mullet Lake they include: brown trout, ciscoes, muskellunge, rainbow trout, rock bass, smallmouth & largemouth bass, sturgeon, northern pike, rock bass, walleye, and yellow perch.

Boat launch access to Burt Lake is possible via the following:
Medium (21ft I/O), DNR launch at Mullet Lake Village, Aloha State Park, DNR, Jewell Road Launch
Small launch, just north of Topinabee

Gas can be purchased at a marina located just north of Dodge Point.

Cheboygan River...