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Illiniscout,
Are you making plans for Sylvania's maximum group size of 5?

The last time I was to Sylvania was 1999, so my info may be a bit dated.   Confirm it before you take it as gospel.  At that time group size was limited to 5 people per campsite, but two groups could travel together.  So it could work like this: you paddle and portage with 10 people, but once you got to camp you have to split into two groups of 5.  There are some sites with two camping areas close together.  Think of it as a mini-camp grounds with two sites. They may be 50 - 100 yards apart. HOWEVER, the two groups must remain separate! They cannot share an evening campfire.  They cannot share an evening meal. They, therefore, must be independent (own stoves, gear, dishes, pans, tarp, ....).  The next morning they can rejoin to travel to the next spot.

Again, this is old info, so maybe it has been changed from 5 to 6.

There is a campgrounds on Clark Lake, but it functions much like a State Park.  No group size limits.  There you can all gather together.

The lakes are small and fairly close together.  The portages between lakes are the old roads that served a hunting/fishing club that used to be there.  Therefore the portages are wide, fairly level with good footing, and most are fairly short.  To me Sylvania feels like a compromise between the BWCA and a state park -- which isn’t all bad.  Because of the trails, you can always walk out if need be.  And because campsites are assigned at the ranger station, there is no racing for the last campsite on a lake or traveling until midnight looking for a site if you loose that race.  Still, there remain a large number of rules and regulations to obey.

Special fishing regulations apply there.  Larger size limits apply, only artificial lures can be used, only barbless hooks can be used; and it's catch and release on the bass.  The one exception to this is Crooked Lake where regular Michigan regulations are in effect, so you might want to plan on at least one night there so the kids can keep the fish they catch.

I agree that Whitefish has the best fishing especially for smallmouth.  You can catch a 5 pounder there BUT it MUST be released!!!

There is only one outfitter that serves Sylvania.  It is a couple of miles outside the park.  However, the owner is a fantastic source of information.  Even if you are outfitting yourselves, make it a point to buy a couple lures and your fishing licenses there.  He’ll have a lot of good tips for you and help you to understand some of the obscure fishing regs. You should go to his website (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links); Some good info there including a map.

It is a great place for first time canoe trippers, but there are rules.  Also the place is tiny by BW/Q standards.  From the map you will think those lake are much bigger than they are if you are used to BW/Q maps.  Some of their “lakes” are ponds.

Thanks to everone for all the help! I am going to have 2 seperate groups at different campsites on Whitefish. We are going to camp at the campground and then take off at different times and travel in 2 different groups. Hoping this will be a good trip, especially for the Scouts that have not done a canoe camping trip yet.
      Thanks again,
                     IS

i didn't know anyone ate rock bass.

thebutcher