Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1809, 1974
A Descriptive and Historical Account of the Platte River, its Surrounding Area, and its Salmonid Fishes
Clarence M. Taube
Abstract.-Michigan's Platte River is located in the northwestern part of the Lower Peninsula. Only about half of the main stream is suited for salmonid fishes the year round because the rest of it becomes too warm for them in summer. The three principal tributaries are cold-water streams. The surrounding land consists mostly of sand; much of it is forested, mainly with hardwoods, but there are extensive plantations of Christmas trees and forest-type conifers. Settlement of this region commenced little more than 100 years ago. Lumbering and farming were the first industries, each of which receded after a brief flourish. Great expansion of sport fishing and of other leisure-time activities within recent years has made recreational services a significant industry in this area. The grayling, which inhabited Platte River when settlement of this region began, became extinct here before 1895. The grayling was replaced by the brook trout, which was abundant into the 1930's. The rainbow trout appeared around 1920. It was numerous during the 1930's and 1940's, but greatly decreased in the 1950's and early 1960's from predation by sea lampreys in Lake Michigan. It became plentiful again by the mid-1960's, however, after lampreys had been drastically reduced. The brown trout was introduced in 1921. Some evidence suggests that its establishment progressed slowly. Presently Platte River harbors considerable numbers of rainbow and brown trout, but has few brook trout. Large runs of coho salmon have entered this stream since it was first stocked with this species in 1966. Coho have reproduced naturally to some extent. Chinook salmon were planted here in 1971 and 1972.