The Sturgeon River rises in Livingston Township, Otsego County, near the city of Gaylord at 45°01′49″N 84°38′18″W / 45.03028°N 84.63833°W / 45.03028; -84.63833.

It flows into Burt Lake in the community of Indian River.

[3] The West Branch Sturgeon River rises in southeast Charlevoix County at 45°07′49″N 84°47′55″W / 45.13028°N 84.79861°W / 45.13028; -84.79861 and flows 17.5 miles (28.2 km)[2] to the main stream at 45°16′19″N 84°36′03″W / 45.27194°N 84.60083°W / 45.27194; -84.60083 in Wolverine.

[4] The Little Sturgeon River rises in Cheboygan County northeast of Wolverine at 45°17′55″N 84°33′37″W / 45.29861°N 84.56028°W / 45.29861; -84.56028 and flows north on a course generally parallel to the Sturgeon River.

The water is crystal-clear since it begins as a spring-fed stream.