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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-04-059165.txt : 20041222
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-04-059165.hdr.sgml : 20041222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041222164956
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-04-059165
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041222

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000036506
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				382062816
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		3530 NORTH COUNTRY DR
		STREET 2:		PO BOX 369
		CITY:			TRAVERSE CITY
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49684
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9063418401

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		130 S CEDER ST
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 369
		CITY:			MANISTIQUE
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			49854

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	FIRST MANISTIQUE CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Stark Elliot R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001312342

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20167
		FILM NUMBER:		041221368

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		248-258-6900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1400 GLENGARRY ROAD
		CITY:			BLOOMFIELD HILLS
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48301
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bde90689_01ers.xml
<DESCRIPTION>MAIN DOCUMENT DESCRIPTION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000036506</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NORTH COUNTRY FINANCIAL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MFNC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001312342</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Stark Elliot R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>38710 WOODWARD AVE.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 240</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BLOOMFIELD HILLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48304</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive V. P. &amp; CFO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>25641</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By self through individual retirement account.</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Oprion (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-16</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>107121</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">20% of the option became exercisable on 12/16/04.  Of the remaining option, 27% of the original option becomes exercisable when the closing price of the Common Stock equals 1.15 times the initial exercise price for a period of 10 consecutive trading days.  Another 27% of the original option becomes exercisable when the closing price of the Common Stock equals 1.30 times the initial exercise price for a period of 10 consecutive trading days after 12/16/04.  The remaining 26% of the original option becomes exercisable when the closing price of the Common Stock equals 1.45 times the initial exercise price for a period of 10 consecutive trading days after 12/16/04.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">107,121 is an estimated number of options.  Such number is subject to adjustment (upwards or downwards) based on the actual number of outstanding shares of the Compnay's Common Stock as a result of the Reverse Stock Split which took effect on December 15, 2004 (see the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 16, 2004 which describes the Reverse Stock Split and certian other transactions affecting the Company).</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The initial exercise price is $9.75.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Eliot Richard Stark</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-22</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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