Canoe and Kayak Trips and Rentals Click for Info

When one thinks of canoeing in the Upper Peninsula you have to think back about the history of the canoe and especially the Native American Birch Bark Canoe that was used by the Native American peoples in this region for hundreds if not thousands of years ago. This land is where it all started. The native peoples were paddling their canoes here in the Upper Peninsula long before the Europeans came to this continent. Birch Bark Canoes were made by nearly all of the tribes in this region and used for traveling and fishing.

Then in the 17th Century along came the French explorers and the Voyageurs of Fur Trade Industry in larger Montreal Canoes used for transporting goods to trade with the Native Americans and Furs to take back to Montreal to sell to the European and Early American markets. These Montreal canoes were used from the Mid-17th Century until the early to Mid 1800’s.

During the 17th century, the fur trade was very lucrative for New France. Competition was fierce, and many colonists risked the journey west and north through hostile Iroquois territory from the settlements around Montreal to the pays d'en haut, or "upper country" (the area around the Great Lakes) to seek out Native trappers to trade with. These coureurs de bois were not looked upon favorably by Montreal authorities and royal officials. They disapproved of settlers leaving the developing agricultural areas to seek their fortune trading. The French authorities would rather let the transportation of furs be handled by the natives rather than independent unregulated colonial traders, who were bringing in so many furs that the market was oversupplied. However, after the destruction of the Huron Confederacy by the Iroquois Confederacy, they became a necessity, and their numbers increased greatly. This traffic in furs also undermined Montreal's role as the focal point for the fur trade—where traders would exchange beaver pelts for trade goods such as clothing, muskets and copper pots. Some of these illicit traders also caused problems by trading alcohol for furs.

Some coureurs de bois became famous, including Étienne Brulé, Louis Joliet, Médard des Groseilliers, Pierre-Esprit Radisson, Jean Nicolet, Guillaume Couture, Jean-Baptiste Chalifoux and Jacques de Noyon.

Voyageurs

By 1681, the French authorities realized the traders had to be controlled so that the industry remained profitable. They therefore legitimized and limited the numbers of coureurs de bois by establishing a system that used permits (or congés). This legitimization created a "second-generation" coureur de bois: the voyageur, which literally means "traveller". This name change came as a result of a need for the legitimate fur traders to distance themselves from the unlicensed ones. Voyageurs held a permit or were allied with a Montreal merchant who had one.

The fur trade was then controlled by a small number of Montreal merchants. New France also began a policy of expansion in an attempt to dominate the trade. French influence extended west, north and south. Forts and trading posts were built with the help of explorers and traders. Trade treaties were negotiated with native groups, and fur trading became very profitable and organized. The system became complex, and the voyageurs, many of whom had been independent traders, slowly became hired labourers.

For the most part, voyageurs were the crews hired to man the canoes that carried trade goods and supplies to "rendezvous posts" (example: Grand Portage) where goods and supplies were exchanged for furs. The canoes traveled along well-established water routes. They then transported the furs back to Lachine near Montreal. Some voyageurs stayed in the back country over the winter and transported the trade goods from the rendezvous posts to farther-away French outposts. These men were known as the hivernants (winterers). They also helped negotiate trade in native villages. In the spring they would carry furs from these remote outposts back to the rendezvous posts. Voyageurs also served as guides for explorers (such as Pierre La Vérendrye). The majority of these canoe men were French Canadian, or Métis. They were usually from Island of Montreal or seigneuries and parishes along or near the St. Lawrence River. Many were from France, and many were members of Native tribes.

The voyageurs were highly valued employees of trading companies, such as the North West Company (NWC) and the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC). Because of the effectiveness of voyageurs, the NWC was able to challenge the HBC. The HBC started hiring their own voyageurs in 1815 to help them compete with the NWC.

The voyageurs are legendary, especially in French Canada. They are folk heroes celebrated in folklore and music. The reality of their lives was that of toil. For example, they had to be able to carry two 90 pound bundles of fur over portages; more suffered from strangulated hernias than any other injury.

Voyageurs who only paddled between Montreal and Grand Portage were known as "mangeurs de lard" (pork eaters) because of their diet, much of which consisted of salt pork. This is considered to be a derogatory term. Those who overwintered and ate "off the land" (mainly fish, pemmican and Rubaboo) were called "homme du nord" or "winterer". Voyageurs were expected to work 14 hours per day and paddle at a rate of 55 strokes per minute.[citation needed] Few could swim. Many drowned in rapids or in storms while crossing lakes. Portages and routes were often indicated by lob trees, or trees that had their branches cut off just below the top of the tree.

Kayaks, as used by Eskimos, were built from wood and animal bone frames and the skin of seals stretched over. Since we have never had seals in the UP the kayak is a modern times mode of transportation here. But it works well and is better for going long distances especially in the Great Lakes.

So as you paddle the waters of the Upper Peninsula think about the history of those that have paddled these beautiful waters before you. You are seeing the same sights
as they did.

Paddling the Upper Peninsula is about as diverse as it gets. Great places to canoe and kayak are found just about everywhere. Small lakes, rivers, large flowages with islands, and, of course, the great lakes. There are also many outfitters that you can either rent canoes and kayaks or that can take you on a guided adventure. If you want to plan a trip on your own great locations to canoe and kayak are: St. Mary’s’ River, Le Channeaux Islands, Taqunameon State Park, Manistique River, Big Two-Hearted River, Fox River, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising Bay, Au Train River and Bay, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Escanaba River, Craig Lake State Park, Menominee River, Greenwood Reservior, Copper Harbor, Portage Lake, Keweenaw Bay, Isle Royale, Brule and Iron Rivers, and hundreds of small inland lakes.

For more information of Guided Trips or canoe and kayak rentals check out the below listed websites:

Paddling Michigan
Uncle Ducky Outfitters
UP Michigan Boat Rentals