Lakes & Rivers

Click here for information about the Paw Paw River and Maple Lake





paw paw river smThe Paw Paw River
The Paw Paw River is located in the U.S. state of Michigan in the southwest portion of the lower peninsula. It is formed by the confluence of the north and south branches in Waverly Township in the northeast of Van Buren County. It flows approximately 89 miles (143 km) through Van Buren County and Berrien County until joining the St. Joseph River just above its mouth on Lake Michigan at Benton Harbor.

Native Americans named the Paw Paw River after the paw paw fruit that grew abundantly along the river's banks.

The watershed covers about 445 square miles (1,150 km²), mostly in Van Buren County, and also drains a tiny portion of Kalamazoo County. The watershed includes rare Great Lakes marshes and floodplain forests, which serve as habitats for migratory birds such as the Prothonotory Warbler (commonly known as the Golden Swamp Warbler), as well as the endangered Mitchell Satyr butterfly. Other rare species include the Massasauga rattlesnake and the spotted turtle. The Paw Paw River has 39 species of fish including walleye, bass, bluegill, black crappie, and northern pike.

Information courtesty of Wikipedia

 

 

 
 

Lakes & Rivers

Check out our Lakes and Rivers!

paw paw river sm
The Paw Paw River is located in the U.S. state of Michigan in the southwest portion of the lower peninsula. It is formed by the confluence of the north and south branches in Waverly Township in the northeast of Van Buren County. It flows approximately 89 miles (143 km) through Van Buren County and Berrien County until joining the St. Joseph River just above its mouth on Lake Michigan at Benton Harbor. Read More...

Click for a list of Lakes for fishing in our area...

Paw Paw Vineyards

Uncork Paw Paw: Discover our Vineyards!

daisies and vineyardsAll great grape growing, wine-producing areas of the world have one thing in common - a proximity to water. In our state, it’s the proximity to Lake Michigan and the effect it has on
fruit-growing. Referred to as the "lake effect," it is essential for production of quality wines.
  Read more...

Wine & Harvest Festival

Don't miss the Wine & Harvest Festival September 11-13!

aThe Paw Paw Wine and Harvest Festival offers something for everyone!

Music - 3 stages of entertainment for all musical tastes
Sports - Choose from our hole in one contest, 5k walk/run or our bicycle tour.
Family Activities - Carnival rides, free children's activities in Stompyland, Fireworks on Maple Lake, Parade, and the Grape Stomp.
Wine Enthusiasts - Wine tours and wine tasting tents abound throughout the festival area.
Other activities include: Car show, Arts & Crafts show, turtle derby, and much more!!  Read more...

 

Concerts on the Lake

Concerts on the Lake

live_music

If you enjoy music and good food Paw Paw is the place to be on a Sunday evening this summer. You will enjoy music at the amphitheatre located along the south shore of Maple Lake. Concerts are provided free of charge for your enjoyment by the Paw Paw Downtown Development Authority. Bring a picnic basket and relax for 90 minutes of musical entertainment or visit one of our ‘family of family owned restaurants’ afterward. Read More...