Bridge Michigan asked you to tell us which rivers are the best in the state. The results are in and one river dominated, but a handful of others also rose to the top.
Laura Herberg
Laura Herberg covers outdoor recreation, wildlife and the natural environment for Bridge Michigan as the Outdoors Life reporter on the environmental team. She came to Bridge from Outlier Media and built her career at WDET, where she produced talk shows, anchored the news and hosted podcasts. Named the Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter for Radio Broadcasting four times, Laura holds a master's degree in urban planning from Wayne State University.
A Pacific Northwest native who has also lived in West Virginia and Scotland, Laura has called Detroit home since 2010.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan bill legalizing backyard deer feeding passes, but bans could remain
Deer baiting and feeding has been banned in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula since 2018 to prevent disease spread. A new bill aims to change that, but even if it’s signed by the governor, feeding deer may not be allowed everywhere.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan would allow hunters to kill ‘bonus’ buck under proposed pilot program
Deer hunters who go out in the Lower Peninsula during the 2027 season will be limited to ‘one buck,’ but if the earn-a-second-buck program is implemented, they could potentially kill an additional antlered deer.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Which rivers are Michigan’s best? Vote for your favorites now
Help us decide the most underrated river, the best to camp along, the best to float down and more as part of the Bridge Michigan River Awards.
Posted inOutdoors Life
E-motos, sometimes mistaken for e-bikes, causing trouble on Michigan trails
E-bikes are allowed on Michigan trails. E-motos are not. But confusion about the two types of bikes is causing friction in Michigan woods.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Looking for an under-the-radar Michigan adventure? Try a river cruise
Companies offer dinner cruises, tiki themes, haunted histories and more on Michigan rivers.
Posted inOutdoors Life
There are 300 named Michigan rivers. Which ones deserve an award?
Bridge Michigan wants you to vote on your favorite rivers in the state as part of a summer-long reporting series.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch, Outdoors Life
Bridge Listens: The facts about Michigan’s environment, data centers, dams
Bridge readers identified the environment as a top 2026 election concern, with data centers, Great Lakes health and energy policy topping the list. We break down the issues, the facts and possible solutions.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan limits hunters to one buck in Lower Peninsula, urges doe killing
Some hunters gunning for a more balanced deer sex ratio in the state are disappointed the policy didn’t pass statewide.
Posted inOutdoors Life
Michigan created a buck-centric culture advocates now want to change
A 1921 law forced hunters to kill only one deer for decades, a buck. That policy likely created a culture of capturing that trophy buck in Michigan, which advocates say is a problem and something they’re trying to correct with a new one buck rule.