List of Michigan state game and wildlife areas



The following is a list of Michigan state game and wildlife areas found throughout the U.S. state of Michigan. The state has a system of publicly owned lands managed primarily for wildlife conservation, wildlife observation, recreational activities, and hunting. Some areas provide opportunities for camping, hiking, cross-country skiing, fishing, bird watching, bicycling, boating, and off-road vehicle trails. Activities, as well as rules and regulations, vary among individual areas.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources oversees the properties through subdivisions including the Forestry Division, Parks and Recreation Division, Grouse Enhanced Management System (GEMS), and the Wildlife Division. Local municipalities may also enforce their own rules and regulations, and some portions may be private property. Some units are managed cooperatively on the national level with the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or U.S. Forest Service. Depending on their purpose, the units are divided into four categories: state game areas, state wildlife management areas, state wildlife areas, and state wildlife research areas. GEMS and designated waterfowl production areas are categorized as state wildlife management areas.

There are a total of 212 distinct units, which account for a total approximate land area of 688000 acre or 1075 sqmi. Some units encompass very large areas, with the largest being the Allegan State Game Area at 51250 acre or 80 sqmi. The smallest unit is the Mud Creek Flooding State Wildlife Management Area at only 18 acre.