The headwaters of five major rivers—the Au Sable, Black, Manistee, Pigeon, and Sturgeon—flow out of Otsego County in every direction through northern Michigan and eventually reach the Great Lakes. Otsego County’s abundant forests, wetlands, and open space protect these rivers from excess sediment, while low-hanging cedars help keep the waters cool, allowing native trout populations to sustain themselves naturally. Stretches of all five rivers have been named Blue Ribbon Trout Streams by the State of Michigan. The same qualities that make these rivers ideal trout habitat also allow a wide variety of plant and animal species to flourish along the river corridor, and they provide abundant recreational opportunities including fishing, kayaking, and bird watching.