Warm water fish are also found in several of these streams. Five of the Forest rivers are included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers system. Winter brings the opportunity to ice fish on the lakes. The Forest is also open to hunting and trapping. Many hunted species of large and small game animals, birds and migratory waterfowl inhabit or pass through the Hiawatha.
Wildlife management is a cooperative effort.
The Forest Service has responsibility for managing the habitat, while the wildlife itself is managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The North Country National Scenic Trail is currently under construction across the Hiawatha National Forest. Six areas, totaling 38,408 acres were designated as Wilderness by the Michigan Wilderness Act of 1987. Visitors may encounter evidence of ongoing forest management projects, such as lake access site renovation or the construction of spawning riffles in streams for fish. Within the Forest, trees may be harvested and planted, nesting structures may be placed for wildlife, and roads needed to reach projects such as these may be under construction.