Restoring the Little South Branch: A Five-Mile Legacy in the Making
The Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette is a special place—a winding, cold-water sanctuary that serves as a nursery for the river’s wild trout and salmon. But for years, this reach has struggled under the weight of excessive sand and a lack of natural cover.
Today, thanks to an outpouring of support from the community, our partners in conservation are in the midst of a three-year, five-mile transformation that is bringing the Little South Branch back to its full potential.
Turning the Tide on Erosion and Habitat Loss
Led by fish biologist Nate Winkler and the Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA), this project is using cutting-edge “bio-engineering” to heal the river from the inside out (read the full report):
Defeating the “Sand Trap”: By strategically placing large oak and pine trees as “ramps” against eroding bluffs, we are stopping tons of sand from entering the river. This allows the natural current to scour away existing silt, uncovering the clean gravel beds that fish need to spawn.
Creating “Trout Condos”: Dozens of large woody debris structures and log jams have been installed (watch the “Trout Condo” video). These aren’t just piles of wood; they are precision-engineered habitats that provide “overhead cover”—the deep, dark hiding spots where trophy brown trout thrive.
Restoring the Flow: By narrowing the channel in key areas, water velocity is increasing, which keeps the river bottom clean and the water temperatures cold even during the heat of summer.
A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters
A project of this scale—treating five full miles of river—requires more than just hard work; it requires a massive financial commitment. As of early 2026, our community has raised over $231,000 toward the $338,000 goal.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to:
- The Individual Donors: Who contributed through raffles, banquets, and direct appeals.
- Lead Partners: The Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA) and Michigan Trout Unlimited for their technical expertise.
- The Landowners: Who have graciously partnered to allow access to these critical stretches of water.
Your generosity is literally changing the map of the Pere Marquette.
Why We Need Your Continued Support
While the progress on the Little South Branch is historic, it is also a reminder of how much work remains. The LSB project is a blueprint. We are proving that we can reverse decades of habitat degradation, but we cannot stop here.
When you support PMTU, you aren’t just funding a single log jam or a single mile of river. You are funding:
- The Next Five Miles: The lead partners have identified several other reaches that require similar intervention.
- Scientific Monitoring: Ensuring that the work done today actually results in more fish in the river tomorrow.
- The Future of the PM: Ensuring that the “Wild and Scenic” status of our river is backed by a healthy, functional ecosystem.
The Little South Branch is a success story because of people like you. Let’s write the next chapter together.
