The accurate representation of native beach characteristics is essential to understanding the behavior of coastal areas in response to coastal structures and erosion mitigation projects. The shoreline along St. Joseph, Michigan, and vicinity is one of many sites throughout the Great Lakes exhibiting highly irregular sediment zonations and wide ranges of sediment size gradation as opposed to classic sandy beach characteristics. These unique features do not conform to sampling techniques developed primarily for sandy beach environments. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the use of widely accepted sandy beach sediment sampling techniques in determining native characteristics in areas of the Great Lakes such as St. Joseph. The study revealed that a sediment sampling program based on conditions in the Great Lakes is necessary, and sampling techniques should be based on the unique sediment characteristics and natural variations in geology for this area in an effort to provide realistic representation of native beach characteristics.