at Custer Bridge
General Information
Custer Bridge 
Custer Bridge is a Forest Service landing on the Pere Marquette River just south of Custer on Custer Road. There are platforms for fishing and viewing the river.
Boat Launch
Boat Launch- Large dirt parking area on the southeast side of the bridge. This has been expanded southward with plenty of space for trailers.
Distance and time- Canoe Custer Bridge to Scottville 1 1/2 hour, 6 miles.
Fishing
Fishing- The Pere Marquette is known for steelhead and salmon runs, and brown/rainbow trout. Fly fishing is popular too.
Historic Site
Historic Site- 
"NOTIPEKAGO - Ottawa oral tradition tells of a war between the Ottawa and Mascouten tribes in the seventeenth century. The defeat of the Mascouten allowed for the permanent Ottawa settlement in lower Michigan. One battle took place in the Custer vicinity along the Pere Marquette River. Many years later, erosion exposed the buried remain of those from both tribes who died here. Indians placed many of the skulls along the riverbank. The battle site became known as Notipekago -- the place of the skulls. This story holds an enduring place in Ottawa oral tradition."
Interpretive
Fishing- Since the removal of the outdated sea lamprey weir, decks and a panel about the history of the Pere Marquette River has been added on the southwest side of the bridge.
Rest Rooms and Potable Water
Rest Rooms- fully accessible latrine on southeast side of the bridge with a van parking pad
Potable Water- none
Details
Access- large sand parking area off paved Custer Road.
Restrictions- no camping, Forest Service Restrictions apply upstream from this point
Seasonality- may not be plowed in winter
Ecosystem- marshy edge of Pere Marquette River
Other points of interest- interpretive sign about history of site
most recent date this info personally checked- August 2019
Additional Facilities- none
Maintained by- Baldwin District of the Manistee National Forest
650 N. Michigan Avenue
P.O. Box D
Baldwin, MI 49304
231-745-4631
More- The Pere Marquette is a designated Wild and Scenic Waterway between The Forks and Custer Bridge. If you wish to canoe on this portion of the Pere Marquette River you need a permit between May 15 and September 10. There are special regulations which apply. Private watercraft permits may be reserved by calling 1-231-745-4631. Some of the landings along the river require a Recreation Fee sticker (self-pay tubes are available for daily passes, yearly passes may be purchased at a Ranger Station). Manistee National Forest Recreation Fees
![[Counties]](masonpix/loccuster.gif)
