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Mushroom Hunting In Upper Michigan
Mushroom hunting combines the allure of the outdoors with the satisfaction of discovery, the pleasure of good food, and the benefits of exercise and learning, making it a rewarding and beloved pastime for many.
Ready to embark on a real-life treasure hunt in the woods? The mushroom hunting craze is catching fire, and it's easy to see why! Just imagine the thrill of spotting those hidden gems popping up from the forest floor. You're not alone in this exciting quest – every year, more and more local mushroom hunting Facebook groups are sprouting up, along with lively online forums and friendly county-based clubs. And get this – there are even awesome mushroom festivals where you can geek out with fellow fungi fanatics and celebrate the amazing world of wild edibles! Plus, you've got organized mycological societies leading cool forays and workshops, and of course, the classic fun of heading out with your favorite pals and family, turning every woodland walk into a potential gourmet adventure!
Tell us why you love mushroom hunting?
Morel Mushroom Hunting
Ishpeming resident Eric Bartle began morel mushroom hunting almost 20 years ago.
"I've got multiple patches, some produce every year, some don't," said Bartle. "I like finding new areas because some of them do dry up over time, the patches do."
Though he's allowing FOX UP to say we were in Marquette County on Wednesday, the exact location of his patches are confidential.
"It's a security thing," said Bartle. "It's a lot of competition, everybody is looking for them."
He said now's the perfect time to go hunting, as morel mushrooms are found in the springtime, when trees are beginning to bud.
"When the trilliums and stuff start coming out, watching the flowers, once they bloom and stuff, morels are out, or starting to come out anyway," said Bartle.
Most of Bartle's patches are in White Poplar and Hardwood groves that have recently been logged. He said morels can pop up anywhere though, so don't be afraid to hunt in places you wouldn't expect to find a patch.
"You've got to get out of that comfort zone to try to find different areas," said Bartle. "Put your patches aside and look in the oddball areas that you wouldn't normally check even, in order to find them."
It's important to read up on morels to find out differences between edible morels and poisonous ones.
"The poisonous ones, that's more of an experience thing with me," said Bartle. "If somebody does [go morel hunting], I tell them to do their homework and research before going out and picking mushrooms because a lot of the false ones are very poisonous and carry a toxin equal to jet fuel, which will kill somebody."
To help your future hunting, Bartle suggested using a mesh bag while you're out.
"I let them spore out as we're picking," said Bartle. "Give them a chance to get some spores in the ground and spread a little more in your area. It might take five years to generate or whatever it does, but try to help anyways, spread the patch a little bit."
Morel season won't last much longer, maybe just a few more weeks, so it's time to get hunting if you haven't already.
Identifying Mushrooms & Cautions
PLEASE NOTE: Identifying mushrooms requires knowledge and observation, sparking curiosity about different species, their habitats, and their roles in the ecosystem. It's a continuous learning process that can be deeply engaging.
Please be aware that while the following mushrooms are generally considered edible, extreme caution is absolutely essential when identifying any wild mushroom. This information is provided as a courtesy and should not be considered a definitive guide for consumption. Mushroom identification can be complex, and information can change as new scientific discoveries are made. It is imperative that you conduct your own thorough research using reputable field guides, consult with experienced mushroom hunters, and ideally, have your finds verified by an expert before considering consumption. Learning the crucial identification characteristics through dedicated study and guidance is paramount for your safety.
Bricktops
Naematoloma sublateritium - Edible with caution
A late fall shroom, found in clustered growth on deciduous (oak,maple,etc) logs. Usually a brick red color cap, with purplish-gray gills. Very good to eat, but caution needs to be given on identification. A purple-brown sporeprint is key. – description by miker
Lions Mane or Bears Tooth
Hericium erinaceus - Edible
The lions mane, is a white beard-like mushroom growth, that likes living on just about dead deciduous trees. The beard when examined more closely looks like long white spines, & is found in late summer into fall If this shroom is beginning to turn yellow, leave it. They will have a bittery taste then. – description by miker
Aborted Entoloma and Pear-Shaped Puffball
Entoloma abortivum and Morganella pyriformis - Edible
Yes, there are a lot of edible mushrooms but you should always do a spore print and know 100% with out a doubt the exact mushroom you have before eating it. Not all mushrooms can produce a spore print like these two. Actually you can get a spore print from a puffball but if wait until they produce spores they are no good to eat. Always try a small sample and wait till the next day to make sure you aren’t allergic or anything. Always keep a fresh sample in the fridge just in case you need to show a doc what you ate. I know this has been said time and again but I don’t want anyone to just use these pictures as a guide to what is edible. Know the ones that are poisonous before you venture on. – description by Steo
Blewits
Lepista nuda - Edible
The Blewit is a lilac to purple capped mushroom, with purplish gills, and a thick stem, usually very wide at the base of the stem. Spore print is pinkish buff. Another choice late fall shroom. – description by miker
Velvet Foots
Flammulina velutipes - Edible with caution
The velvet foot is a late fall mushroom, that grows on soft wooded deciduous trees (elm, poplar, aspen etc). It’s better for a new hunter to leave it alone and not picked, unless you are with a seasoned hunter that truly knows the differences between it and other poisonous species. – description by miker
Shaggy Manes
Coprinus comatus - Edible with caution
Some of the inky family can make you wish you paid better attention it identification before picking and eating. However when you are sure of your Shaggy Maine ID, they are very easy to find in the fall. Just look in the yards as you drive. Should be picked in button stage (unopened) and used immediately. They do not keep well. – description by Steo
Meadows or Pink Bottoms
Agaricus campestris - Edible with caution
The Meadow mushroom, is a shroom that lives up to its name being found in meadows, grassy areas, old school yards etc. This white capped mushroom has pink gills when young, and brownish-deep purple gills when older. Spore print is dark chocolate brown. The meadow is usually a fall mushroom, with occasional fruitings in the late spring. It must meet the above color criteria! Remember that No Mushroom with a white cap and whitish-grey gills are to be added to your collection. – description by miker
Brown Honey or Stumper
Armillaria gallica - Edible with caution
A species of honey mushroom in the family Physalacriaceae of the order Agaricales. The species is a common and ecologically important wood-decay fungus that can live as a saprobe, or as an opportunistic parasite in weakened tree hosts to cause root or butt rot.
Yellow Honey or Stumpers
Armillaria mellea - Edible with caution
Commonly known as honey fungus, is a edible basidiomycete fungus in the genus Armillaria. It is a plant pathogen and part of a cryptic species complex of closely related and morphologically similar species.
Hen of the woods
Grifola frondosa - Edible
Found in the Fall, usually at the base of a distressed oak. Fan shaped, grey brown pedals. Reminds me of the feathers on a chicken’s back. Can be very large. White stalk. One of my favorites. – description by Judy
Oyster mushroom
Pleurotus ostreatus - Edible
Found mostly in spring and early summer. Must get them quick, they will get buggy fast. They grow mostly on dead Aspen trees. A very sharp knife tied to a very long stick is often needed to reach those high ones in the tree.
Chicken of the woods
Two varieties: Laetiporus cincinnatus and Laetiporus sulphureus - Edible
Laetiporus sulphureus is orange with yellow instead of white pores and is much more common. – description by Steo
Reddening Lepiota
Lepiota americana - Edible with caution
Deer or Fawn mushroom
Pluteus cervinus - Edible
Chicken Fat
Suillus americanus - Edible
Woodears
Auricularia auricula-judae - Edible
Gilled Bolete
Phylloporus rhodoxanthus - Edible
King Bolete
Boletus edulis - Edible
Green Quilted Russula
Russula virescens - Edible with caution
Purple-gilled Laccaria
Laccaria ochropurpurea - Edible
Angel Wings
Pleurotus porrigens - Edible
Short-stalked Suillus
Suillus brevipes - Edible
Red Cracked Bolete
Boletus chrysenteron - Edible
Orange-Latex Milky
Lactarius deliciosus - Edible
Man on horseback or Canary Trich
Tricholoma flavovirens - Edible
Sweet Tooth
(two varities) Hydnum repandum & Hydnum umbilicatum - Edible
Hydnum umbilicatum is much smaller then Hydnum repandum, but both are great! This is one mushroom I really wish I could find more of. – description by Steo
Shaggy Parasol
Macrolepiota rhacodes - Edible with caution
Lobster Mushroom
Hypomyces lactifluorum - Edible
Black Trumpets
Craterellus fallax & Craterellus – cornucopioides - Edible
Dryad saddles or Pheasant backs
Polyporus squamosus - Edible
A spring and summer mushroom growing on wood, usually decaying stumps or blowdowns. Best when picked in very young stage. About 2 or 3 inches diameter. You can cut off the edges of some larger, and use just the edges. These get tough when old. I think they get a bad rap on taste because too often they are old specimens people try to use. While they are not my favorite, I do like them tossed in while a roast is cooking. – description by Frank
Fall Mushroom Hunting
Mushroom hunting and the science of mycology provide a fun outdoor activity for individuals and families alike. Michigan is resplendent in the varieties of fungi that can be found in our abundant forests and fields but one needs to know what to look for; not only that, just when and where to look is important too. I admit that I don’t have much knowledge when it comes to mushroom picking but no worries as lots of picking information is available at michiganmushroomhunters.org/Beginners/beginner.htm
Here you can find the 10 commandments of eating wild mushrooms and helpful tips for mushroom hunting. If you already found mushrooms, it’s also a great link to find cook books and top recipes from the members of the Michigan Mushroom Hunters Club (MMHC).
Mushroom hunting can be enjoyed by all ages; introducing children to the world of mushrooms is a great way to peak their interest in science, nature, and the great outdoors. Mushrooming with your child also provides a way of having quality time in a quiet and peaceful setting instead of the crazy go-here, go-there, never-stop bustle of today’s world. Always remember though that you need to instill a good sense of caution in the children and never allow them to sample mushrooms without your approval. Enjoy picking!
Late Fall Oyster
Panellus serotinus - Edible
I have a little info on fall oysters. First they grow single many times. Sometimes in bunches of 2 or 3 as seen in photo. But unlike regular oysters that can grow in larger stacked groups. Rarely will you see more than 3 late fall oysters in a group. Also there is usually 1 in an area. they don't come in great numbers… They have a thicker look than regular oysters and the edges curl down. no poisonous look-a-likes in north America. – description by Eliandco
Fall, Spring, Summer, Things to do and tagged black morels, chanterelle mushrooms, false morels, hen of the woods, identifying mushrooms, lion's mane mushrooms, morels, mushroom foraging, mushroom hunting, national forests mushroom hunting, oyster mushrooms, poisonous mushrooms upper michigan, public land for mushroom foraging, public land mushroom hunting, shaggy mane mushrooms Upper Michigan, state forests mushroom hunting, types of mushrooms, UP mushrooms, upper michigan public land, wild mushrooms, yellow morels. Bookmark the permalink.
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906-265-9244
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Iron County Michigan Visitors Guide
Iron County is one of the Upper Peninsula’s best kept secrets. From camping to fishing, hunting to canoeing, mountain biking to forest bathing – no matter your interests, the great outdoors and clear crisp air await you here.