Indian River
Fly fishing in Michigan · Beginner · Best seasons: Summer, Fall
Target Species
Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye
About This Water
Connects Burt and Mullett Lakes. Good warm water fishing with occasional trout.
Fishing Recommendations
The Indian River in Northern Michigan is a unique gem in the state’s famous "Inland Waterway." Connecting Burt Lake and Mullett Lake, this river serves as a high-protein highway for predatory fish moving between two of Michigan's largest inland bodies of water.
As a guide, I view the Indian River not as a traditional "trout stream," but as a powerful, moving corridor that produces some of the heaviest Smallmouth and Pike in the Tip of the Mitt.
🎣 Location Overview
The Indian River is a short but mighty stretch of water, roughly 3.5 miles long. Unlike the fast-moving, gravel-bottomed trout streams nearby (like the Sturgeon or Pigeon), the Indian is deeper, slower, and characterized by sandy flats, steep drop-offs, and extensive weed beds.
What makes it special is the "Lake Effect." Because it connects two massive glacial lakes, the river is constantly replenished with baitfish (emerald shiners, perch, and crayfish). It is a "big water" fly fishing experience—you aren't casting to rising trout; you are hunting apex predators in a high-traffic aquatic corridor.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
Smallmouth Bass (The Main Attraction)
These are "football" bass—thick-bodied and incredibly strong.
- Behavior: They transition from the lakes into the river to feed on crayfish and minnows.
- Holding Spots: Look for the "drop-off" edges where the shallow sandy flats plunge into the main 10-15 foot channel. They also hug the wooden pilings of the many docks and the edges of the cabbage weeds.
Northern Pike
The "Water Wolf" of the Inland Waterway.
- Behavior: Pike here are ambush predators. They sit motionless in the thick weed beds or near the mouth of the river where it enters Mullett Lake.
- Feeding: They want large profiles. If it looks like a struggling yellow perch or a wounded sucker, they will crush it.
Walleye
A "bucket list" species for fly anglers, as they are notoriously difficult to catch on the fly.
- Behavior: Heavily light-sensitive. During the day, they sit in the deepest holes of the channel. At night, they move onto the shallow flats to hunt.
- Feeding: They focus on bottom-dwelling sculpins and emerald shiner schools.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Summer (Late June – August)
- Smallmouth: This is peak season for topwater. Early mornings before the recreational boat traffic begins are magical.
- Pike: Active in the weed beds, though they may move deeper during mid-day heat.
- Time of Day: Dawn and Dusk. The Indian River is a major boating thoroughfare; by 11:00 AM, the "soup" created by boat wakes makes fly fishing difficult. Be off the water by noon or fish late in the evening.
Fall (September – October)
- The "Golden Window": This is arguably the best time for trophy fish. As water temperatures drop, Smallmouth and Pike feed aggressively to bulk up for winter.
- Walleye: The fall "run" or movement between lakes increases your chances of finding them in the river during daylight hours.
- Conditions: Overcast, "fishy" days are best. The boat traffic disappears, giving you the run of the river.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Murdich Minnow (Silver/White): The gold standard for Smallmouth here. It mimics the emerald shiners perfectly.
- BoogleBug Poppers: For summer mornings. Yellow or "Frog" patterns work best.
- Gamechangers (White or Perch): For Pike. The multi-jointed movement is irresistible in the slower current.
- Clouser Minnows: Weighted eyes are essential to reach the fish holding on the channel swings.
- The "One" or Bunny Leech (Black/Olive): Excellent for dragging along the bottom for Walleye and big Smallmouth.
Techniques
- Dredging the Channel: Use a Sink-Tip Line (150-250 grain). Cast across the current, let it sink to the transition zone (where the flat meets the channel), and use a "strip-strip-pause" retrieve.
- The "Twitch" (Topwater): When using poppers near docks or weed edges, less is often more. Give it a pop, then let the rings dissipate completely before moving it again.
- Pike Stripping: Use a fast, erratic strip to trigger a Pike’s predatory instinct. Never stop the fly if you see a follow—speed it up!
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- The Sturgeon River Confluence: The Sturgeon River flows into the Indian River right in the town of Indian River. This creates a plume of colder, oxygenated water. Fish the "seam" where the two rivers meet—this is a primary staging area for all three target species.
- Avoid the "No Wake" Zones? No! Actually, fish the "No Wake" zones near the marinas. The lack of heavy turbulence and the abundance of structure (docks/pilings) make these prime Smallmouth hangouts.
- Watch the Wind: If a strong wind is blowing from Burt Lake toward Mullett Lake (or vice-versa), it can "stack" baitfish at the river mouths. Focus your efforts at the lake entrances during these times.
- Go Deep for Walleye: If you are targeting Walleye, you must get your fly within 6 inches of the bottom. Use a heavy fluorocarbon leader (12-15lb) to withstand the abrasion of the sand and occasional zebra mussels.
⚠️ Important Information
Access
- Burt Lake State Park: Great access to the upper portion of the river.
- DeVoe Beach/Veteran’s Pier: Public access in the heart of town.
- Boat Rental: Because the river is deep and has private property on both sides, fishing from a boat (drift boat, skiff, or kayak) is highly recommended. Wading is very limited.
Regulations
- A Michigan Fishing License is required.
- Size Limits: Smallmouth (14"), Northern Pike (24"), Walleye (15").
- Note: I strongly advocate for Catch and Release on the Indian River to preserve the trophy quality of these slow-growing northern fish.
Special Considerations
- Boat Traffic: I cannot stress this enough—in July and August, the river becomes a "highway." If you aren't on the water by 6:00 AM, you will be fighting wakes all day.
- Submerged Hazards: Watch for old pilings and logs just under the surface, especially near the edges of the channel.
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria | mayfly | April, May | Early Afternoon | #12-14 | Red Quill #12-14, Hendrickson Emerger #14, Pheasant Tail #12-14 |
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria/rotunda | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Parachute Sulphur #16-18, Sulphur Snowshoe Emerger #16, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #16 |
| Brown Drake Ephemera simulans | mayfly | June | Dusk/Night | #10-12 | Brown Drake Spinner #10-12, Brown Drake Cripple #10, Brown Drake Nymph #10 |
| Giant Michigan Mayfly (Hex) Hexagenia limbata | mayfly | June, July | Late Night | #4-8 | Hexagenia Spinner #6-8, Robert's Yellow Drake #8, Hex Wiggle Nymph #6-8 |
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Afternoon | #18-22 | BWO Sparkle Dun #20, RS2 #20-22, WD-40 #20-22 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | All Day | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16, LaFontaine Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Peacock Caddis #16 |
| Isonychia Isonychia bicolor | mayfly | July, August, September | Late Afternoon/Evening | #10-12 | Iso Parachute #12, Zug Bug #10-12, Prince Nymph #10-12 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #22-24, Trico Dun #22, Black Zebra Midge #22 |
| Grasshopper Orthoptera | terrestrial | July, August, September | Afternoon | #8-12 | Dave's Hopper #10, Joe's Hopper #12, Morrish Hopper #8-10 |