“The solution to any problem – work, love, money, whatever – is to go fishing, and the worse the problem, the longer the trip should be.” – John Gierach, author of “Standing in a River Waving a Stick”
Benzie County is the smallest county in Michigan, but it’s big on natural beauty and ecotourism.
In September, Benzie County becomes a hot spot for salmon as the days turn shorter and the water turns cooler. Sportsmen and anglers flock to the region to fish bays and inlets and wade in the Platte and Betsie rivers. Fishing is actually a popular activity throughout the year thanks to the many inland lakes and easy access to Lake Michigan.
Although the salmon run is well underway, the region has a lot to offer as the leaves turn red, gold, and crimson into October. Oliver Art Center in Frankfort organized an exhibit all about fishing to highlight northern Michigan’s love affair with the fish and the fight, which closes Friday, October 4.
If you need to pass the time while your hubby tries to reel in the big one, or you want to learn more about the region’s rich fishing history, check out these activities.
Benzie County cultural hub
The Oliver Art Center in Frankfort offers free admission and hosts exhibits and classes year-round. It is located near the mouth of Betsie Bay and the Lake Michigan channel in the former U.S. Coast Guard Station. Read more in this story, A Unique Shoreline Gallery, I wrote for Michigan BLUE.
You can still catch the last few days of HOOKED: The Art of Fishing. The exhibit features work by 25 artists and includes paintings, sculpture, mixed-media pieces, and vintage lures.
Oliver’s staff members wanted to display more art and connect with the community. They hope The Art of Fishing lures in a new crowd.
“It’s a fun exhibit,” says Tamara Hoffbauer, executive director. “We really wanted to explore something we have a close connection to and what a great way to encourage people who might not come in to come in.”
The HOOKED exhibit offers something for every kind of fishing enthusiast. The show includes a wide variety of art, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, handmade decoys, mixed-media collage, and fish leather art.
HOOKED, Juried Exhibit on display
Local artists featured include Judy Jashinsky of Arcadia, Andrew Jagniecki of Onekama, Dani Knoph of Boyne City, Rachel Liebler of Beulah, and Hank Feeley of Glen Arbor. Other artists include Robin Wilaband-Snow, Steve Kline, and Emily Galassini. The first piece that sold was made by Oliver Art Center’s summer intern, Marina McCormick.
“What I love about this particular show is the creativity to the prompt,” says Julie White Pierce, gallery and program director. “We wanted to see what people would come up with, and they did not disappoint us.”
The exhibition also highlights vintage lures by Makinen Tackle Co., which made lures during the 1940s and employed local women in nearby Kaleva, Michigan. Another display showcases BenzieJo Decoys, a Benzonia-based business owned by Fred and Jo Anne Campbell. The Campbells make fish decoys, chainsaw carvings, wind chimes and more.
Artist Emily Galassini will teach a two-day fish leather making class on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2.
One of Oliver Art Center’s most popular shows, Creative Kaleidoscope: Annual Juried Exhibit, is on display through Friday, October 18. Peruse the work of talented regional artists in the Beck and Borwell Galleries. The juried show highlights a range of exceptional artwork selected by independent jurors Mark Mehaffey and Liz Celeste. You won’t want to miss this display of regional talent!
Transfiguration: The Art of Upcycling opens Oct. 11-Nov. 8 in the Fisher Room. Transfiguration showcases artists who breathe new life into the discarded. Get ready for surprising trash-to-treasure art made from everyday objects most of us overlook.
Visit oliverartcenterfrankfort.org for more information.
Platte River State Fish Hatchery
If you prefer an immersive experience, fall is a perfect time for a peaceful float on the Platte or Betsie River. You can cast a line or relax and watch for waterfowl. It’s also the best way to see the salmon running up the river. The Betsie River is one of 16 state designated wild and scenic natural rivers with numerous fish and wildlife species.
One year, we took a kayak trip on the Platte River in late September and watching the salmon run up river is really something to see.
The Platte River State Fish Hatchery off U.S. 31 near Honor is free and open to the public. Grounds are open every day from dawn to dusk and hatchery buildings from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The fish hatchery produces Atlantic salmon, Chinook salmon, coho salmon and walleye. The Platte hatchery is considered the birthplace of the Great Lakes salmon program and home to the state’s only coho salmon production facility.
It’s fun – and also educational – to watch fish swimming near the weir as the adult salmon return to spawn from mid-September to late-October. The public is welcome to watch! The Platte River State Fish Hatchery also offers educational facilities, birding opportunities, and trails which are open to the public.
Point Betsie Lighthouse
I have visited the Frankfort area many times but only recently made it on a tour of Point Betsie Lighthouse. I am not sure what took me so long. This is another hidden gem. Bonus: Admission is still affordable at $5 for adults and $2 for children.
Point Betsie Lighthouse offers self-guided tours through October 13. The lighthouse is still a working lighthouse. In fact, it has been operating continuously since 1858, safely guiding mariners on Lake Michigan. Yes, that’s since before the Civil War!
The tour includes the original 1858 lighthouse keeper’s residence, plus a climb up the 34-step tower to see unobstructed views up and down the lake Michigan shoreline. You can also visit the Boathouse Museum and Fog Signal Building.
I was impressed with the condition and decorations of the keeper’s residence and main lighthouse structure. The tower isn’t as tall as many others, but it still offers an impressive view of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
In addition, I enjoyed learning about the daring rescues, especially the ones in the winter, made by the crew of the Life Saving Station. The Life Saving Station at Point Betsie Lighthouse was one of the first in America.
The property is closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (noon-5 p.m. Sunday). You can also rent the upstairs of the keeper’s residence during the season. For more information, visit pointbetsie.org.
Natural areas and hikes in Benzie County
If you enjoy nature or travel on a budget like I do, the Benzie County area also offers several hiking and biking trails with free or low-cost admission.
Elberta Waterfront Park
Elberta Waterfront Park: The Elberta community is sleepier than the Frankfort side, but it was a popular hub for car and rail car ferries for nearly a century, from the 1890s to 1982 when the railroad closed. This waterfront park offers a glimpse of Elberta’s vibrant past and great public access and historic points of interest. Located on 5.6 acres on the shores of Betsie Bay, the park includes over 1,200 feet of scenic water frontage for fishing, picnics, playground equipment, and community concerts. The property also includes the historic Elberta Life Saving Station. Be sure to take a walk and view the remnants of the former Frankfort Iron Works and a large blast furnace on the site. Opened in 1867, it was the largest and most extensive manufacturing works in Benzie County.
Betsie Valley Trail
Betsie Valley Trail: This 22-mile multi-use trail extends from Frankfort through Elberta and Beulah to Thompsonville in Benzie County. The trail is popular for bicycle and pedestrian use, especially the paved section between Beulah and Frankfort. The trail follows the former Ann Arbor Railroad corridor and offers easy access to both Elberta and Frankfort.
Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve
Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve includes over 15 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through dunes, forests, and many other landscapes. Easily accessible off M-22 south of Elberta, the preserve has an ADA accessible trail that leaves from the Baldy parking lot and takes users to a stunning overlook of Lake Michigan. It is managed by Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and is its largest preserve. Learn more in my Get Outdoors story on this Coastal Preserve for Michigan BLUE.
Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve
Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve: Another GTRLC property, Arcadia Marsh Preserve is technically in Manistee County, but it’s not too far from Benzie County. It’s an easy stop off M-22 during a fall color tour and offers visitors access to a Great Lakes Coastal Marsh, a rare and declining natural community found only in Great Lakes coastal areas. I finally stopped at Arcadia Marsh last fall and enjoyed the peaceful walk on the boardwalk through the marsh.
I grew up fishing with my dad but never really took an interest in it as an adult. But I’m an avid believer in nature therapy. Whatever gets you outside and off of a computer (or phone), do more of that. Your mind, body, and spirit will benefit. Don’t worry. Don’t hurry. Even if the fish aren’t biting, it’s still a good day on the water.
As Gierach explains: “I think I fish, in part, because it’s an anti-social, bohemian business that, when gone about properly, puts you forever outside the mainstream culture without actually landing you in an institution.”
Marla R. Miller is an award-winning journalist, travel writer, and content marketing writer who lives in West Michigan. Please “like” or follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Let me help grow your business. Check out my Writing Services or Read My Work.
