How Far South Have Black Bears Been Spotted in Michigan?

While most black bear sightings occur in northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, from time to time we hear reports of black bears roaming around mid-Michigan. In fact, it seems like it's been happening more and more over the past few years.

Back in June, we told you about a woman in Genesee County who spotted a black bear on a trail camera that was set up on her family's property. It was approximately a mile west of I-75 near the Clio Country Club in Vienna Township.

In 2023, a woman in Flushing spotted a black bear roaming through her backyard. Just two years earlier, in 2021, another black bear was seen walking along I-75 in Flint Township, where it was tragically struck and killed by a vehicle.

How Far South Have Black Bears Been Spotted in Michigan?

Just how far south in Michigan do black bear sightings occur? The farther south you go, the fewer the sightings, but they do happen. Nearly every county in Michigan has reported black bear activity. According to Research Gate, all but three counties have reported black bear sightings, with some occurring as far south as the Michigan-Ohio-Indiana border.

The only counties that haven't reported black bear activity are Saint Joseph, Lenawee, and Monroe Counties.

How Many Fatal Bear Attacks Have Been In Michigan?

In Michigan, there have only been three recorded fatal bear attacks. Of these, two occurred in 1948 and 1978. The most notorious incident took place in the Upper Peninsula in 1948, when a black bear snatched a three-year-old girl while she was playing on the porch of her family's cabin.