Seven Ways to Enjoy Spring at Consumers Energy River Hydros

JACKSON, Mich., April 6, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers Energy's hydroelectric properties offer year-round recreational opportunities in some of Michigan's most scenic areas along the Muskegon, Au Sable, Kalamazoo, and Manistee rivers.

Rich Castle, Consumers Energy's natural resource administrator for hydro operations, recommends seven activities outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy this spring on their lands and waters open to the public:

1. Steelhead Fishing –Anglers experience a world-class inland fishery in Michigan each spring when hard-fighting steelhead leave the Great Lakes to spawn in rivers on the east and west sides of the state. Many steelhead are landed downstream of Tippy, Foote, Croton and Calkins Bridge dams. Fishing licenses and courtesy toward fellow anglers are required.
   
   
2. Hiking – A three-mile path parallel to the Muskegon River entices hikers to stretch their legs on the nature trail at Hardy Dam, where 26 tree species are identified with plaques. Sites at Hardy and Croton have been managed for the endangered Karner blue butterfly. More ambitious hikers may want to cross a suspension footbridge downstream of Hodenpyl Dam for a 20-mile trek where the North Country National Scenic Trail connects to the Manistee River trail.
   
   
3. Camping – For those who enjoy nodding off to a chorus of spring peepers, spring is the time to pitch a tent or park a camper at a campground near the Manistee, Au Sable and the Muskegon rivers, where combined there are more than 2,800 campsites associated with the Hodenpyl, Tippy, Foote, Alcona, Mio and Hardy dams.
   
   
4. Birding – Bald eagles, numerous waterfowl and species such as pileated woodpeckers call Consumers Energy hydro property home. Loud and Cooke ponds on the Au Sable River offer the best chances to view rare, native trumpeter swans Consumers Energy re-established in the late 1990s.
   
   
5. Canoeing – Canoeists find quality paddling along all rivers that have Consumers Energy river hydros. Aficionados favor the 23-mile stretch between Mio Dam to Alcona Pond on the Au Sable River, a designated eNational Scenic River. The stretch is incorporated each July in canoeing's premiere international racing event, the Au Sable River Marathon.
   
   
6. Turkey Hunting – Properly licensed hunters are welcome to try to call in a bearded turkey on more than 12,000 acres along the Muskegon, Au Sable and Manistee rivers.
   
   
7. Morel Mushroom Picking – Popular spots to gather tasty morel mushrooms – which only appear in spring – include the land surrounding Hodenpyl Dam near Mesick, the "morel capital of Michigan."

A brochure titled Get Closer to Nature provides details about these activities and others. It's available free from Consumers Energy at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro.

"We have an abundance of natural resources along our rivers in Michigan. Everyone is encouraged to access our free online brochure to get details about the recreational opportunities available to the public at Consumers Energy's river hydro properties," Castle said. "Consumers Energy takes great pride in being conscientious environmental stewards, and has received certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council for enhancement projects at most of our hydro facilities."

Consumers Energy's 13 hydroelectric dams are licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Recreational facilities at these sites are open to the public.

Consumers Energy, Michigan's largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.6 million of the state's 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.

Media Toolkit

BROCHURE: Download a free brochure "Getting Close to Nature" which details activities available at Consumers Energy hydro properties: www.ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro

MICHIGAN DNR: Find information about Michigan fishing and hunting licenses and regulations: www.michigan.gov/dnr

For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.com.

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SOURCE Consumers Energy