The coastal Grand Traverse Bay watershed includes subwatershed areas of Mitchell, Tobeco, Acme, and Yuba creeks, as well as areas along east and west Grand Traverse Bay and Old Mission Peninsula totaling 190 square miles. The coastal watershed area encompasses 7 lakes, 6 major rivers/creeks, and more than 100 additional small streams entering the bay. Most of the streams and rivers in this watershed are designated trout streams, with Tobeco Creek being the largest creek not classified as a coldwater trout stream.

There are several areas of state-owned and other public land in the coastal watershed area. This large amount of publicly owned land provides significant recreational opportunities, attracts thousands of visitors each year, and adds to the highly cherished quality of life that makes this area such a desirable place to live and visit.

There are 11 townships and 4 municipalities located along the shoreline of Grand Traverse Bay that deal with Great Lakes shoreline issues as well as other watershed concerns. Since the watershed crosses so many political boundaries, it is important for local governments to know and understand watershed boundaries and to plan on a watershed scale with neighboring townships and municipalities.