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Fly Fishing in Michigan

50 featured rivers, lakes and streams in Michigan, each with target species, a hatch chart and a map of nearby access.

Au Sable River (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
The Holy Water section is legendary for brown trout. Birthplace of Trout Unlimited.
Betsie River (Steelhead, Salmon, Brown Trout)
Scenic northwest Michigan river. Excellent steelhead and salmon fishing near Frankfort.
Big Creek (Otsego) (Brook Trout)
Northern Michigan creek with wild brook trout. Cold spring-fed waters.
Big Iron River (Brook Trout)
Remote Upper Peninsula stream. Wild brook trout in pristine wilderness setting.
Big Manistee River (Upper) (Brown Trout, Steelhead, Rainbow Trout)
Above Tippy Dam with excellent wade fishing. Brown trout and steelhead opportunities.
Black River (Cheboygan) (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Northern Michigan stream with good brown trout fishing. Less pressured than famous rivers.
Black River (Ottawa County) (Steelhead, Brown Trout)
Spring steelhead runs near Lake Michigan. Good public access and consistent fishing.
Boardman River (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Near Traverse City with excellent brown and brook trout. Multiple sections with varied water.
Carp River (Steelhead, Brown Trout)
Near Mackinaw City with steelhead runs. Scenic fishing below the bluffs.
Cedar River (Gladwin) (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Scenic trout stream in central Michigan. Wild brook trout and stocked browns.
Chocolay River (Steelhead, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Upper Peninsula river near Marquette. Steelhead runs and resident brook trout.
Clinton River (Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Steelhead)
Metro Detroit area stream with surprising trout fishing. Coldwater tributaries hold browns.
Coldwater River (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Spring-fed stream with excellent water temperatures. Quality brown trout fishing.
Dowagiac River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Small southwest Michigan stream with quality brown trout. Spring-fed and clear.
East Branch Au Gres River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Quality brook trout fishing in northeast Michigan. Remote and less pressured.
Elk River Chain of Lakes (Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Brown Trout)
14 connected lakes near Traverse City. Diverse warm and cold water fishing opportunities.
Escanaba River (Brook Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout)
Upper Peninsula river with diverse fishery. Brook trout in headwaters, steelhead in lower sections.
Flat River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Quality brown trout stream in West Michigan. Good hatches and natural reproduction.
Fox River (Brook Trout)
Upper Peninsula stream in pristine wilderness. Wild brook trout and grayling history.
Gun Lake (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill)
Large natural lake in Southwest Michigan. Warm water fishing with bass and panfish.
Huron River (Smallmouth Bass, Brown Trout, Northern Pike)
Southeast Michigan river through Ann Arbor. Diverse fishing with smallmouth and occasional trout.
Indian River (Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye)
Connects Burt and Mullett Lakes. Good warm water fishing with occasional trout.
Jordan River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
First Michigan river designated as a Natural River. Wild brook trout in pristine setting.
Little Manistee River (Steelhead, Salmon)
Known for steelhead and salmon runs. Important spawning tributary for Great Lakes fish.
Little Muskegon River (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Excellent trout stream with good public access. Wild brown trout and natural reproduction.
Little South Branch Pere Marquette (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Small tributary with wild brook trout. Technical fishing in intimate setting.
Looking Glass River (Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Tributary of Grand River with wild brown trout. Good insect hatches and dry fly fishing.
Manistee River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Diverse fishing opportunities from steelhead to brown trout. Beautiful northern Michigan scenery.
Maple River (Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout)
Central Michigan stream with wild brown trout. Quality fishing in agricultural area.
Menominee River (Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Steelhead)
Border water with Wisconsin. Excellent smallmouth bass and occasional steelhead.
Muskegon River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Smallmouth Bass)
Large river with diverse fishing. Steelhead, salmon, and warm water species available.
North Branch Au Sable (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Tributary of the famous Au Sable. Quality brook and brown trout in scenic setting.
Ocqueoc River (Brook Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout)
Features Michigan's largest waterfall. Brook trout and steelhead in the lower sections.
Ontonagon River (Steelhead, Salmon, Brook Trout)
Western Upper Peninsula river with steelhead, salmon, and resident trout. Remote wilderness fishing.
Paint River (Smallmouth Bass, Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Upper Peninsula river with challenging whitewater sections. Excellent smallmouth and trout.
Pere Marquette River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Salmon)
First river to receive steelhead from the Pacific. Excellent year-round fishing for multiple species.
Pigeon River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Flows through the Pigeon River Country State Forest. Excellent brook and brown trout fishing in remote setting.
Pine River (Manistee Tributary) (Brown Trout, Steelhead)
Fast-flowing stream popular with paddlers and anglers. Brown trout and steelhead runs.
Platte River (Steelhead, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout)
Crystal clear waters near Sleeping Bear Dunes. Historic coho salmon restoration river.
Presque Isle River (Brook Trout, Steelhead, Brown Trout)
Western Upper Peninsula river with beautiful waterfalls. Brook trout and steelhead.
Rapid River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Salmon)
Upper Peninsula stream flowing into Little Bay de Noc. Good trout and salmon fishing.
Rifle River (Brook Trout, Brown Trout)
Northeast Michigan stream with wild brook trout and stocked brown trout. Scenic fishing.
Rogue River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Salmon)
Popular West Michigan steelhead destination. Urban fishery near Grand Rapids with good access.
South Branch Au Sable (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
Mason Tract flies-only section offers premier dry fly fishing for brown trout.
St. Joseph River (Steelhead, Salmon, Smallmouth Bass)
Southwest Michigan river with steelhead and salmon runs. Good urban fishery.
Sturgeon River (Brown Trout, Brook Trout)
One of the fastest rivers in the Lower Peninsula. Wild brown trout and challenging wading.
Tahquamenon River (Brook Trout, Musky, Smallmouth Bass)
Upper Peninsula's tea-colored waters near famous falls. Brook trout and musky fishing.
Thunder Bay River (Steelhead, Brown Trout, Salmon)
Northeast Michigan river with diverse fishing opportunities. Steelhead runs and resident trout.
Two Hearted River (Brook Trout)
Made famous by Hemingway. Upper Peninsula stream with wild brook trout. Remote wilderness fishing.
White River (Steelhead, Salmon, Brown Trout)
West Michigan river with excellent steelhead and salmon runs. Quality brown trout fishing.

Fly Fishing in Michigan

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