title: Rifle River
text: # Rifle River
  
  Rifle River is a 60.3-mile-long (97.0 km) river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It rises in northeastern Ogemaw County and flows through Arenac County to enter Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron. Once a logging river during the Michigan forestry boom at the turn of the 20th century, the river is now primarily used for recreation, and is a state-designated natural river. It is a popular river for canoeing, with no portages or dams and an average depth of 18 inches, to 5 feet in downtown Omer. It is also known for having one of the best White Sucker (Catostomus commersonii) runs in the state of Michigan, in the spring.
  
  ## Canoe liveries serving the Rifle River
  
  Several private canoe operators provide equipment rental and transportation for river trips along the Rifle River.
  
  Twining, Michigan
  
  * Whispering Pines Campground and Canoe Livery.
  
  Sterling, Michigan (Central portion of the Rifle River - Most Popular)
  
  * Rifle River Campground & Canoe Livery
  * River View Campground & Canoe Livery
  * Whites Campground & Canoe Livery
  
  Omer, Michigan (Lower portion of the Rifle River)
  
  * Big Bend Campground & Canoe Rental
  * Riverbend Campground & Canoe Rental
  * Russell's Canoe Livery
  