Crooked River Club

08/18/2026

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06/26/2026

Crooked River Lock Opens Today! 🌊🛶
Here's a look at the lock schedule for the season:
📅 Opening Day: Friday, June 26
⏰ June 26 – August 2: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
⏰ August 3 – September 7: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
⏰ September 8 – October 4: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

🍂 Fall Weekend Hours:
📍 Oct 10–11 & Oct 17–18: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Sat & Sun only)

While water levels are elevated, we will keep the lock gates wide open as lockages are not yet needed. Lock staff will be on traffic control, directing vessels from both upstream and downstream using the red and green traffic signals. Boaters should only proceed through the lock on a green light.

We will not be collecting lock fees until lockages are needed. Happy floating! ☀️🚤

06/25/2026

Please boat responsibly and do not create a wake on the Crooked River.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Emmet County Sheriff’s Office
Petoskey, Michigan

Crooked River Re-Opened

The Crooked River will be open to boating traffic starting Friday, June 26, 2026. While the river is open, conditions remain elevated. No Wake restrictions will be strictly enforced to prevent further damage to shoreline properties.

Sheriff Matt Leirstein reminds boaters that compliance is not optional:
“Slow down, follow No Wake laws, and be mindful of residents along the river.”

Debris and other hazards remain in the waterway. Boaters should use caution.

Report unsafe activity to the Sheriff’s Office at (231) 439-8900, [email protected], or download the Emmet County Sheriff's Office mobile application to make anonymous reports. For emergencies, call 911.

06/18/2026

To protect our shoreline and for the safety of residents and visitors, the Crooked River remains closed to motorized boats until July 2.

Kayaks, canoes and paddle boards are allowed.

06/05/2026

The Crooked River remains closed for the protection of the shoreline, properties and individuals.

Please be respectful of the acute environmental impacts that this long term flooding has had on our environment.

05/09/2026

Please stay out of the river until further notice.

Crooked River Waterway Remains Closed/No Wake Rules in affect for both Crooked and Pickerel Lake

Date: May 8, 2026

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management fully understand the frustration and inconvenience this continued closure causes the public. As the weather warms and the desire for outdoor recreation increases, we recognize that the Crooked River is a valued resource for our community; however, the current conditions necessitate a cautious approach to ensure the wellbeing of all.

To manage this situation effectively, our offices are prioritizing the following:

1. Preservation of Property
This critical closure is essential to protect the shoreline and the property of residents living along the waterway from further erosion or damage caused by wake and water displacement.

2. Boater Safety
Current conditions have rendered the waterway unnavigable in many areas of the river. This closure protects boaters from potential harm, submerged hazards, and dangerous currents that are not typically present.

3. Ongoing Assessment
Additional time is required for our teams to thoroughly assess structural and environmental damages. This allows us to make informed, data-driven decisions regarding public safety and the long-term preservation of the river’s infrastructure.

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office and the Office of Emergency Management remain committed to transparency throughout this process. We will continue to seek input from the public and additional stakeholders as we monitor the situation. Our ultimate goal is to reopen the Crooked River for all recreational travel as soon as it is verified safe to do so.

While Crooked and Pickerel Lakes remain open for recreation, a strict No Wake policy is currently in effect for the entirety of both bodies of water and No Wake will be rigorously enforced. This measure is necessary to ensure the preservation of shoreline property and to protect the interests of local residents; we appreciate your cooperation in maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all.

04/23/2026

Please and thank you.

United States Coast Guard announces Official Closure of Crooked River

The Emmet County Sheriff’s Office is officially notifying the public that the United States Coast Guard has issued a formal closure of the Crooked River, effective immediately. This directive comes in response to ongoing environmental concerns and hazardous conditions following recent severe weather events.

This closure is a necessary measure to protect the long-term health of the river system, ensure the safety of the general public, and protect the property of residents living along the shoreline.

Over the past week, the Sheriff’s Office has observed an increase in hazardous navigation attempts. Sheriff Matt Leirstein issued the following statement regarding the current conditions: “Over the course of the last few days, my office has fielded several calls about boaters trying to use the waterway along Crooked River. Because of severe flooding, many watercraft were unsuccessful in navigating the system and ended up causing damage to their Personal Watercraft and to the property of landowners.”

Safety and Enforcement:

The Sheriff’s Office is asking all citizens to stay off the Crooked River until further notice. High water levels have created unpredictable currents and submerged debris that pose a significant risk to life and property. Furthermore, the wake generated by motorized vessels during flood stages causes accelerated erosion and structural damage to residential docks and seawalls.

Reporting Violations:

To assist in the protection of the river and local property, the Sheriff’s Office asks the public to report any unauthorized use of the waterway. If you witness watercraft on the river:
- Identify the MC registration numbers located on the hull.- Note the exact location and time of the sighting.- Contact 911 to report the violation.

Reopening Timeline:

As water levels recede and the Coast Guard determines the system is once again safe for transit, the Emmet County Sheriff’s Office will provide updates via official channels regarding a scheduled reopening.

We thank the public for their cooperation in keeping our waterways safe and our environment protected during this period.