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Whitefish Point is a radio site on the far southeast shore of Lake Superior. The home of Whitefish Point Lighthouse, it is in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and sticks out as a peninsula at the entrance of Whitefish Bay. The point is at lake level, meaning it lies below most atmospheric ducts responsible for the propagation of signals over the water and is prone to sporadic signals and “fallout” from ducts above. Despite this, Whitefish Point still lies at the entrance to Whitefish Bay to its east. The bay has an area of about 20 miles east-west and 20 miles north-south and connects to Lake Huron via the St. Marys River in nearby Sault Ste. Marie, the circulation of both lakes joined by unobstructed low elevation. This results in Lake Huron signals heard on the bay-facing beach of Whitefish Point, just a few minutes walk from the lake-facing beach where Thunder Bay and Marathon are common. Nearby Ontario sites at Batchawana Bay and Agawa Bay receive similar results across Lake Huron. The site is just 30 miles northwest of Sault Ste. Marie, and is 85 miles south of Wawa, 230 miles southeast of Thunder Bay, 115 miles east of Marquette, 170 miles east of Houghton, and 140 miles northeast of Traverse City. Typical reception on these two stretches of shore includes Sault Ste. Marie locals, Marquette, Houghton, Northern Michigan, Wawa, Thunder Bay, Timmins, Alpena, Saginaw, and Barrie.
WHITEFISH POINT, MICHIGAN BANDSCAN
July 23, 2018 2050-2140 / 62-65°F & windy / saturated
Location: 46°46’20.4″N 84°57’30.4″W
605 feet (at lake level beside the water)
69 stations total / Average distance: 113 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 CBON-18 ON Sault Ste. Marie / Ici Première / 3.59kw / 10dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
88.3 CBLJ ON Wawa / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 4.807kw / 2dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
88.5 WIAB MI Mackinaw City / Classical IPR //88.7 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR //88.5 / 100kw / 2dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
88.9 WCRR MI Manistique / K-Love / 24.5kw / 3dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
89.1 –
89.3 WSHN MI Munising / K-Love / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (127 mi.)
*89.5 CBSM ON Sault Ste. Marie / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 46kw / 20dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
89.7 –
89.9 WHWG MI Trout Lake / Gospel Opportunities / 1kw / 10dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
89.9 WLJN MI Traverse City / Christian / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono in null (142 mi.)
90.1 WNMU MI Marquette / Public R. 90 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (140 mi.)
90.3 WBLV MI Twin Lake / Blue Lake Public R. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (229 mi.)
90.5 WPHN MI Gaylord / The Promise FM / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
90.7 CBON-27 ON Wawa / Ici Première / 890w / 5dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
90.7 WBHL MI Harrison / Strong Tower R. / 10kw / 3dBµ, mono (196 mi.)
90.9 WUPJ MI Escanaba / Strong Tower R. / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (135 mi.)
91.1 –
91.3 WJOG MI Good Hart / Smile FM / 6kw / 2dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
*91.5 WJOH MI Raco / Smile FM / 5.5kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (35 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 10dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
91.7 WXPR WI Rhinelander / Public R. / 100kw / briefly strong (216 mi.)
91.9 –
92.1 CJQQ ON Timmins / 92-1 Rock / 40kw / very good in car (207 mi.)
92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (121 mi.)
92.5 –
92.7 WRPP MI Manistique / Cl. Rock / 51kw / 8dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (151 mi.)
93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / 93 Rock / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
93.3 –
93.5 –
93.7 –
*93.9 WNBY MI Newberry / Oldies 93 / 50kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (23 mi.)
94.1 –
94.3 CJSD ON Thunder Bay / Rock 94 / 90kw / 5dBµ, mono (228 mi.)
94.5 WYPV MI Mackinaw City / WJML News R. //1110 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (78 mi.)
94.7 –
94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (121 mi.)
95.1 WUPN MI Paradise / Eagle 95.1 / 25kw / 15dBµ, mono (24 mi.)
95.3 –
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 //105.1 / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (118 mi.)
95.9 –
96.1 CBCJ ON Timmins / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 11kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (207 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (100 mi.)
96.5 –
*96.7 WMJT MI McMillan / Eagle 96.7 / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
96.7 WRGZ MI Rogers City / Country / 42kw / 5dBµ, mono (113 mi.)
96.9 –
97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (104 mi.)
97.3 –
97.5 CBCE ON Little Current / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (153 mi.)
97.7 WOLV MI Houghton / The Wolf / 6.5kw / 3dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
*97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 45dBµ, stereo (23 mi.)
98.1 –
*98.3 WCMZ MI Sault Ste. Marie / CMU Public R. / 25kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (40 mi.)
98.5 –
98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 52kw / 5dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / KLT The Rock Sta. / 100kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
99.1 –
99.3 –
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie / Yes FM / 1.3kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
99.7 –
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (107 mi.)
100.1 –
100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (121 mi.)
*100.5 CHAS ON Sault Ste. Marie / KiSS 100.5 / 13.9kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
100.7 WOBE MI Crystal Falls / Radio Now / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (161 mi.)
100.9 –
101.1 –
*101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
101.5 –
101.7 CBQ ON Thunder Bay / CBC Music Thunder Bay / 25kw / 1dBµ, mono (233 mi.)
101.9 –
102.1 –
*102.3 WTHN MI Sault Ste. Marie / The Promise FM / 22.5kw / 25dBµ, stereo (40 mi.)
102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / 3dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
102.7 –
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / RDS / 7dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
103.1 –
103.3 W277AG MI Sault Ste. Marie / Gospel Opportunities / 26w / 5dBµ, mono (36 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (164 mi.)
103.7 –
103.9 WCMW MI Harbor Springs / CMU Public R. / 12kw / RDS / 4dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
104.1 –
104.3 CJQM ON Sault Ste. Marie / Country 104.3 / 100kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
104.5 –
104.7 –
104.9 –
105.1 WGFM MI Cheboygan / Rock 105 & 95.5 //95.5 / 43kw / 3dBµ, mono (111 mi.)
105.3 CJMX ON Sudbury / KiSS 105.3 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (188 mi.)
105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (228 mi.)
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford / Country 105 / 700w / 3dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
105.7 WCUP MI L’Anse / Eagle Country / 100kw / 2dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (110 mi.)
106.1 –
106.3 WWMK MI Onaway / Mac FM / 31kw / 5dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
106.5 CJTK-8 ON Sault Ste. Marie / KFM / 2kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord / ESPN N. Michigan / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
106.9 –
107.1 WCKC MI Cadillac / The Drive / 2.75kw / 3dBµ, mono (181 mi.)
107.3 WUPF MI Powers / Eagle 107.3 / 50kw / 2dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
107.5 WCCW MI Traverse City / The 70’s Station / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (143 mi.)
107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 5dBµ, mono (129 mi.)
107.9 –
Inconclusive signals: 97.3
Station notes:
95.3 WVVE MN Grand Marais is off the air with future sign-on in August //106.7
96.7 WUPG MI Republic is at 800w instead of the licensed 50kw
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie is at 1.3kw from a backup tower instead of 100kw
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford is at 700w from a backup tower instead of 100kw
106.7 KZJZ MN Babbitt is off the air with future sign-on in August //95.3
WHITEFISH POINT, MICHIGAN BANDSCAN
July 16, 2021 1120-1315 / 68-77°F, clear and calm
Location: 46°46’10.9″N 84°57’10.8″W & 46°46’06.8″N 84°57’10.0″W
605 feet (just above lake level on lake and bay-facing beaches)
105 stations total / Average distance: 136 mi.
* station was received on seek
88.1 CBON-18 ON Sault Ste. Marie / Ici Première / 3.59kw / 15dBµ, m. only (34 mi.)
88.3 CBLJ ON Wawa / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 4.807kw / 10dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
88.5 WIAB MI Mackinaw City / Class. IPR //88.7 / 50kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
88.5 WCTP MI Gagetown / Christian / 6kw / 3dBµ, mono in null (226 mi.)
88.7 WIAA MI Interlochen / Classical IPR //88.5 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (176 mi.)
88.9 WGZR MI Alpena / Relevant Radio / 1.5kw / 3dBµ, mono, faint (148 mi.)
89.1 WLKB MI Bay City / K-Love / 50kw / weak (226 mi.)
89.3 WTLI MI Bear Creek Twp. / Smile FM / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (111 mi.)
*89.5 CBSM ON Sault Ste. M. / CBC R. 1 Sudbury / 46kw / RDS / 30dBµ, m. only (34 mi.)
89.7 WHND WI Sister Bay / WPR News & Classical / 22kw / 2dBµ, mono, weak (147 mi.)
*89.9 WHWG MI Trout Lake / Gospel Opportunities / 1kw / 20dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
90.1 WNMU MI Marquette / Public R. 90 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (141 mi.)
90.1 WHBP MI Harbor Springs / IPR News R. / 8.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
90.3 –
90.5 WPHN MI Gaylord / The Promise FM / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
90.5 WPFF WI Sturgeon Bay / K-Love / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (173 mi.)
90.7 CBON-27 ON Wawa / Ici Première Sudbury / 890w / 7dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
90.9 WTCK MI Charlevoix / Relevant Radio / 5.5kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (88 mi.)
91.1 WGGL MI Houghton / Minnesota Public R. / 100kw / 3dBµ, m., weak (178 mi.)
91.3 WJOG MI Good Hart / Smile FM / 6kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (87 mi.)
*91.5 WJOH MI Raco / Smile FM / 5.5kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (35 mi.)
91.7 WCML MI Alpena / CMU Public R. / 92kw / 10dBµ, mono (119 mi.)
91.9 –
92.1 –
92.3 WJPD MI Ishpeming / Big Country / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (121 mi.)
92.5 –
92.7 CJRQ ON Sudbury / 92-7 Rock / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (187 mi.)
92.9 WJZQ MI Cadillac / Z93 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (151 mi.)
93.1 CFNO ON Marathon / Hometown Sound / 50kw / 15dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
93.1 WIMK MI Iron Mountain / K-Rock / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono in null (161 mi.)
93.3 WKQZ MI Midland / Z93 / 39kw / 3dBµ, mono, weak (206 mi.)
93.5 CIGM ON Sudbury / Hot 93-5 / 100kw / 7dBµ, mono (188 mi.)
93.7 CKYC ON Owen Sound / Country 93 / 22kw / faint (248 mi.)
*93.9 WNBY MI Newberry / Oldies 93 / 50kw / RDS / 50dBµ, stereo (23 mi.)
94.1 CKNR ON Elliot Lake / The Moose / 90kw / 5dBµ, mono (153 mi.)
94.3 WCMV MI Leland / CMU Public Radio / 20.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (142 mi.)
94.5 WYPV MI Mackinaw City / Q100 / 50kw / 10dBµ, mono (78 mi.)
94.7 –
94.9 WUPZ MI Chocolay Twp. / The Bay / 100kw / 10dBµ, m., dominant (121 mi.)
94.9 WKJZ MI Hillman / Hits FM / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (130 mi.)
*95.1 WUPN MI Paradise / Eagle 95.1 / 25kw / RDS / 40dBµ, stereo (24 mi.)
95.3 WWSS MI Tuscarora Twp. / The Bear / 17kw / 7dBµ, mono (99 mi.)
95.5 WGFE MI Glen Arbor / Rock 105 & 95.5 //105.1 / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono (144 mi.)
95.7 WHWL MI Marquette / Gospel Opportunities / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (118 mi.)
95.7 CFJB ON Barrie / Rock 95 / 100kw / weak (304 mi.)
95.9 WLJW MI Fife Lake / Fuel FM / 19kw / 5dBµ, mono (151 mi.)
95.9 WKSZ WI De Pere / Kiss FM / 4.5kw / 3dBµ, mono (222 mi.)
96.1 WHNN MI Bay City / My 96-1 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono, weak (230 mi.)
96.1 WTCX WI Ripon / 95-1 & 96-1 The Rock / 4kw / faint (274 mi.)
96.3 WLXT MI Petoskey / Lite 96.3 / 100kw / 7dBµ, mono (100 mi.)
96.5 –
*96.7 WMJT MI McMillan / Flash FM / 50kw / 20dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
96.7 WRGZ MI Rogers City / KLT //97.5 / 42kw / 10dBµ, m. null (113 mi.)
96.9 –
97.1 WGLQ MI Escanaba / Magic 97 GLQ / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (105 mi.)
97.3 –
97.5 CBCE ON Little Current / CBC R. 1 Sud. / 21kw / 5dBµ, mono, weak (152 mi.)
97.5 WKLT MI Kalkaska / KLT //96.7 / 32kw / 3dBµ, mono, faint (137 mi.)
97.7 WCHY MI Cheboygan / Talk & Super Hits / 3.4kw / 3dBµ, weak (83 mi.)
*97.9 WIHC MI Newberry / Strong Tower R. / 50kw / 55dBµ, mono only (23 mi.)
98.1 = 97.9
*98.3 WCMZ MI Sault Ste. Marie / CMU Public R. / 25kw / RDS / 30dBµ, stereo (39 mi.)
98.5 WQLH WI Green Bay / Star 98 / 100kw / 7dBµ, mono (212 mi.)
98.5 WUPS MI Harrison / UPS 98.5 / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (171 mi.)
98.7 WGLI MI Hancock / The Rockin’ Eagle / 52kw / 3dBµ, mono (172 mi.)
98.7 CBCB ON Owen Sound / CBC R. 1 Tor. / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (240 mi.)
98.9 WKLZ MI Petoskey / Air1 / 100kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (89 mi.)
99.1 WIKB MI Iron River / Cl. Rock / 60kw / 3dBµ, mono (177 mi.)
99.3 WATZ MI Alpena / Country / 17kw / 5dBµ, mono (148 mi.)
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie / Yes FM / 1.3kw / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
99.7 WDKF WI Sturgeon Bay / Duke FM / 46kw / 3dBµ, mono (196 mi.)
99.9 WHAK MI Rogers City / The Wave / 50kw / 7dBµ, mono (107 mi.)
100.1 –
100.3 WUPT MI Gwinn / The Point / 100kw / 15dBµ, mono (121 mi.)
*100.5 CHAS ON Sault Ste. Marie / KiSS 100.5 / 13.9kw / RDS / 25dBµ, stereo (31 mi.)
100.7 WWTH MI Oscoda / Thunder 100.7 / 20.5kw / 7dBµ, mono (169 mi.)
100.9 WQHN MI East Jordan / The Promise FM / 11.5kw / 5dBµ, mono (110 mi.)
101.1 WUPY MI Ontonagon / Superior Country / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (200 mi.)
101.1 WIXX WI Green Bay / 101 WIXX / 96kw / 5dBµ, mono (220 mi.)
*101.3 WSUE MI Sault Ste. Marie / Rock 101 / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, stereo (36 mi.)
101.5 WMJZ MI Gaylord / Eagle 101-5 / 50kw / 7dBµ, mono (124 mi.)
101.7 CKNX ON Wingham / The One / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (259 mi.)
101.7 CBQ ON Thunder Bay / CBC Music Thunder Bay / 25kw / in null (234 mi.)
101.9 WKQS MI Negaunee / Sunny FM / 13kw / 3dBµ, mono (127 mi.)
102.1 WLEW MI Bad Axe / Cruise 102.1 / 50kw / 7dBµ, mono (218 mi.)
*102.3 WTHN MI Sault Ste. Marie / The Promise FM / 22.5kw / 25dBµ, stereo (39 mi.)
102.5 WCMM MI Gulliver / The Moose / 60kw / 7dBµ, mono (92 mi.)
102.5 WIOG MI Bay City / CHR / 86kw / faint in null (234 mi.)
102.7 WRVM WI Suring / Voice of the Master / 98kw / 3dBµ, mono, weak (206 mi.)
102.9 WMKC MI Indian River / Big Country Hits / 100kw / RDS / 20dBµ, st. (88 mi.)
103.1 CHAW ON Manitoulin Is. / Country 103.1 / 27.5kw / 3dBµ, mono (154 mi.)
103.3 WFXD MI Marquette / 103-FXD / 100kw / 5dBµ, mono (127 mi.)
103.3 W277AG MI Sault Ste. Marie / Gospel Opportunities / 26w / 5dBµ, mono (35 mi.)
103.5 WTCM MI Traverse City / Country / 100kw / RDS / 5dBµ, mono (164 mi.)
103.7 –
103.9 WCMW MI Harbor Springs / CMU Public R. / 12kw / 10dBµ, mono (88 mi.)
104.1 CICZ ON Midland / Bounce 104-1 / 20kw / 3dBµ, mono (298 mi.)
*104.3 CJQM ON Sault Ste. Marie / Country 104.3 / 100kw / RDS / 30dBµ, st. (31 mi.)
104.5 WZTC MI Traverse City / Bob FM / 1.75kw / 3dBµ, mono (142 mi.)
104.7 WKJC MI Tawas City / Country / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (175 mi.)
104.9 –
105.1 WGFM MI Cheboygan / Rock 105 & 95.5 //95.5 / 43kw / 15dBµ, m. (111 mi.)
105.3 CKTG ON Thunder Bay / Country 105 / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono, faint (228 mi.)
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford / Country 105 / 700w / RDS / 15dBµ, mono (40 mi.)
105.7 WZTK MI Alpena / News Talk Sports / 4.5kw / 3dBµ, mono (137 mi.)
105.7 WAPL WI Appleton / Rock / 100kw / 3dBµ, mono (222 mi.)
105.9 WKHQ MI Charlevoix / 106 KHQ / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (110 mi.)
106.1 WTZM MI Tawas City / The Point / 25kw / 5dBµ, mono (183 mi.)
106.3 WWMK MI Onaway / Mac FM / 31kw / 5dBµ, mono (83 mi.)
106.3 WGMV MI Stephenson / Maverick 106 / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (139 mi.)
106.5 CJTK-8 ON Sault Ste. Marie / KFM / 2kw / RDS / 10dBµ, mono (34 mi.)
106.7 –
106.9 –
107.1 CJWA ON Wawa / JJAM FM / 210w / 10dBµ, mono (87 mi.)
107.3 WUPF MI Powers / Eagle 107.3 / 50kw / 3dBµ, mono (136 mi.)
107.5 CBLM ON Marathon / CBC R. 1 Thunder Bay / 3.935kw / 10dBµ, mono (156 mi.)
107.7 WHSB MI Alpena / The Bay / 100kw / 10dBµ, mono (132 mi.)
107.7 WMQT MI Ishpeming / Q107 / 98kw / 10dBµ, mono (129 mi.)
107.9 WCRZ MI Flint / Cars 108 / 50kw / 5dBµ, mono (270 mi.)
Inconclusive signals: 88.1, 96.9, 104.1 (Ms)
Station notes:
99.5 WYSS MI Sault Ste. Marie is at 1.3kw from a backup tower instead of 100kw
105.5 WMKD MI Pickford is at 700w from a backup tower instead of 100kw
106.7 WSRT MI Gaylord has been on and off the air for 1+ year, currently off
Recommendations for this radio site: I first arrived to this site late on a blustery evening in which the wind and moisture from the lake were so intense that my hands were too cold to hold my camera or radio, my fingers too stiff to hold my pen, and my log paper so full of the lake’s moisture that it lost all its stiffness and was near unable to be written on. It was late enough that most of the lake signals had already begun to fade, nighttime enhancement soon to take over. This was my first memory of this site and that was hard to shake. But I nonetheless returned to this site in 2021 with some additional time and additional planning. Already hearing plenty of Lake Huron signals before getting out of the car, I made it a mission to find the best reception here, never even imagining Barrie, Saginaw, and Flint were possibilities at this site. The environment is still rough, day and night, but it’s absolutely worth a visit. There are also some sights in the area aside from the beautiful beach itself that are more worth a visit if radio fails you.
Whitefish Point isn’t necessarily close to any cities in the area, though it is just 15 minutes north of Paradise, a small hamlet that is a popular meeting point for area tourists and bikers. Paradise is just 10 minutes east of the also-popular Tahquamenon Falls State Park, which has an upper and lower falls a short distance apart. The falls here are a major draw to the Whitefish Point area. The park has the standard Michigan state park parking fees.
At the point, you can visit the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, a unique light with the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, open from May to October at a cost of $13. It’s open from 10 to 6 p.m. and as the history of shipwrecks in the area is well worth learning about, I’d certainly recommend it. If it’s closed, there is always a monument to the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck, the most famous on the Great Lakes, almost easy to miss beside the boardwalk on the right as you approach the lake-facing beach from the lighthouse. The Whitefish Point Bird Observatory is also at this site taking advantage of the migration patterns, which is the direction to walk for the bay-facing beach if you’re seeking Lake Huron signals.
Services in the area are sparse. There are very basic services in Paradise for the tourists staying in the area – you can get a bite to eat at a local bar, restaurant, or the small grocery store, as well as fill up with gas – but the nearest services are otherwise in Sault Ste. Marie 1 hour 15 minutes to the east. There are limited services in Newberry to the southwest, but the drive is nearly the same at about an hour with a fraction of availability.
Accommodations in the area are quite scattered and include numerous cabins, small motels in and around Paradise, and campgrounds. Andrus Lake State Forest Campground is just a few minutes south of the point and is first-come first-served with 25 sites. There is additional camping at Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
For a special experience, one can also spend the night for just $150 at the lighthouse itself as part of the Crew Quarters Overnight Program.
Location rating: Whitefish Point has some beauty about it, but as a radio site, it can be a rough place. While this site can pull in both Lake Superior and Lake Huron reception, it also has numerous disadvantages that can’t be ignored.
The site’s elevation disqualifies it from most Lake Superior reception aside from the strongest signals. Because lake ducts are present typically 100+ feet above water level and this beach is flat and right at water level, it’s left with many weaker sporadic signals. These tend to be extremely laborious to log and come and go, in and out, much like tropo scatter (TrS). This issue is in addition to the fact it is closer to Northern Michigan and local Sault Ste. Marie signals just 30 miles across the bay, though the band is otherwise quite open. For the best results, utilize the nearby dunes to add some elevation, though there’s little to be had in the area, or listen both on the Lake Superior-facing beach and the Whitefish Bay-facing beach, just a short walk apart, combining the best of both beaches.
On the other hand, the site has bathrooms, is home to a beautifully unique lighthouse and close to the popular waterfalls attraction. The beach is stunning, patterned rocks and sand littered with driftwood, and is unlike any other beaches along the shores of this lake. At the same time, it much resembles a coastal disaster zone; a look at satellite photos of the point show much the same, a result of the pounding of the lake’s harsh weather here, essentially the very end of Lake Superior before the safe harbor of the bay.
But when it comes to radio, this site has far fewer advantages. While a listen is still recommended, be prepared to be let down and come to the point when the lighthouse and museum are open to make it more worthwhile. In addition, don’t forget that this point is famous for high winds, high waves, and quickly changing weather that may not resemble conditions in other areas nearby. Just because it’s a beautiful sunny day nearby at the falls does not mean the same for Whitefish Point. There’s a reason that more shipwrecks have occurred here than anywhere else on the Great Lakes. Tread with caution here, but when it’s good, it can be truly worth the trip.