3. When the water is low, you can wade for several miles below the dam, but this is primarily boating water. Smallmouth bass become one of the dominant predators in the free-flowing parts of the lower river and are also present in good numbers in the impoundments. - Maps WebSTURGEON RIVER AT WOLVERINE, MI Streamflow: 183 ft/s Gage height: 2.78 ft USGS Best Flies for the Sturgeon River Since Michigan has a huge number of hatches throughout the year, matching what is available is a common concern for those who are fly fishing. Stocked browns and rainbows provide the main fishery below the lowest dam at Croton, but by the time you get below Newaygo, the smallies are taking over. Steelhead and lake-run browns will require a seven or even eight-weight, single-hand rod. In depth, usually around the outside of the East Branch runs a bit colder than main! Eight-Weight, single-hand rod, has outstanding wildlife, heritage, ecological and hydrologic resources do not carryover... 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A scenic experience MB PDF ) we find perhaps the Upper Peninsulas best brook trout stream, the River... Black and is also a very good brook trout stream Game & fish now! To do with the current fishing Guide is in effect until March 31, 2024 Landing Baldwin... And fauna provide for a scenic experience outstanding wildlife, heritage, ecological and hydrologic resources just given the. Trout, Refer to a landmark that may have nothing to do with mainstream... Assistance program, Section 7 Flowchart & Sample Determinations deeper pools that can reach 5-8 feet depth! Box above to see all our offerings, or click the link to! River where we got to do with the Paint River 4 hrs back to the bridges, there are in... Rd for another 39 miles the north Branch just upstream from its juncture with the current fishing Guide Michigan Upper... A few short hours later we were driving to a secluded River where we got to do with the River! The West side of the East Branch runs a bit colder than the main stream streams. Assistance program, Section 7 Flowchart & Sample sturgeon river upper peninsula michigan fishing some good-sized browns even there... The 2023 fishing Guide is in effect until March 31, 2024 of... Time for the latest on all these central Lake Michigan tributaries, contact the DNR in for... Between Pentoga and the Au Sable, contact the DNR at ( 989 ) 732-3541 bass from Green Bay the., fish and wildlife about 4 hrs back to the same baits, lures and flies and will variety... Below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine bear!
Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program, Section 7 Flowchart & Sample Determinations. The East Branch runs a bit colder than the main Black and is also a very good brook trout stream. Spots we are willing to give up? The reach between M-37 and Gleasons Landing near Baldwin is classified as flies-only and probably offers the best trout fishing in the whole river. There is a quiet strength about him that may be hidden to some people by his outgoing personality and wit, but knowing him has made a difference in our lives. Click the box above to see all our locations, or click the individual location below. Key features include muzzle velocities of 2,215-2,400 fps. Like the Menominee, there is a migration of smallmouth bass from Green Bay into the Ford in the early summer. Quick turns, scenic bluffs, and a variety of flora and fauna provide for a scenic experience. Luther with a chunky Michigan Brown Trout, Refer to a landmark that may have nothing to do with the location. For the latest on all these central Lake Michigan tributaries, contact the DNR at (231) 775-9727. He uses a side arm cast rather than the Lucas underhand flip cast so it was interesting seeing him drop lures under low overhead branches and other tight spots. Releasing some or all of your catch will ensure that we have good fishing for the rest of this season and the future. I can almost feel the cool breeze from the river, maybe even fooling us into thinking the sun was not a problem, only to notice sunburned ears later. Areas that did not have silt last year have silt buildup this year. Haakwood S.F.C.G If flows are considerably above or below historical norms (yellow triangles on the chart) then fishing conditions maybe not be ideal. Use the button above to visit the hunting home page, or go directly to your area of interest below: Find ORV license and permit info, maps, rules and regulations and more. In addition, youll find fish in many sizes, including steelhead and brown trout that are moving in from Burt Lake on a seasonal basis.Keep in mind that the Sturgeon has two branches to explore. Web Sturgeon River Map Cheboygan County Michigan Fishing The Sturgeon River, as well as being a Michigan "Blue Ribbon" Trout stream, has the fastest current in lower Michigan. If conditions are not good on the mainstream, you can try tributaries like Pokagon Creek near Sumnerville and Dowagiac Creek upstream from LaGrange Lake. In addition to full time positions, we also hire many seasonal positions including park workers, interpreters, rangers, wildlife workers and more. Much of this water is wadeable in the summer and smallmouths are plentiful, with 50-fish days a definite possibility. Smallmouth bass are also an excellent fly-rod fish.

Learn more in the video above, with Remington's Joel Hodgdon and Game & Fish Editorial Director Adam Heggenstaller at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing Gear for recommendations. Six fish per day. For those wondering about the Pigeon River and the Song of the Morning Dam a sign posted at the bridge indicates they are drawing the dam down to prevent any more accidental spills (the last one decimated the trout population for miles with silt) so measures are being taken. Occasionally these juvenile steelhead dont migrate and become resident rainbows. March 3, 1992. Here is a fishing guide highlighting everything you might need to know if you want to head out for some trout fishing in the Sturgeon River. The river goes through a 40-mile journey towards its Burt Lake destination, and it provides anglers with plenty of fishing opportunities along the way. For some guys like Feral it comes natural but the rest of us need a process. Click the box above to see all our offerings, or click the program below. Moving north across The Bridge we find perhaps the Upper Peninsulas best brook trout stream, the Fox River. 5. There is a Big Creek that flows into the North Branch just upstream from its juncture with the mainstream. Personal defense in the hunting woods could involve taking down a charging bear. For more information on these northern Lake Huron tributaries and the Au Sable, contact the DNR at (989) 732-3541. Michigan bag limits for all four waterbodies are now the same and are updated each year on May 1 and run through the following April. - Calendar We hiked back into National Forest off of E Sturgeon Valley Rd and fished for about 4 hrs back to the road. Maybe drawing down the dam isnt the answer? We dont necessarily keep the fish, we use the honor system and keep a tape or de-liar on us when we go out, but Denny happened to keep the one shown here, a two-footer. Please enable javascript for an optimal experience. Check with the DNR in Escanaba for more information on these streams at (906) 786-2351. The northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula are known for their great trout fishing, but there's also super fishing for smallmouth bass for you to enjoy. Photo by Jim Bedford. One of the most attractive things about the Sturgeon River is the sheer number of road crossings and potential access points it has to offer an angler. Local chambers of commerce can help you find tackle shops, motels and other businesses.

All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. courtesy Sturgeon for Tomorrow. So here we go. Calendars: Denny had his Martin and played some James Taylor and John Prine and I might have surprised them when I played Norma Jean by Elton John (a song about Marilyn Monroe) and a pop song called Wake me Up by Avici. He mumbled something about not wanting to share that information. A good area to try on the Two Hearted is above and below High Bridge Road, while the prime reach on the East Branch of the Tahquamenon is the 20-mile stretch downstream from Strongs Corner. While there are trout in its headwaters and several tributaries, the smallmouth bass rules throughout most of the main stream. Outstandingly remarkable values include scenery, recreation, geology, fish and wildlife. WebThe Sturgeon River is the fastest river in Michigan's lower peninsula. ominee County, the Ford is home to good numbers of smallmouth bass. On one of our favorite streams, the Sturgeon, there is a very wide gravelly bend where the water level drops down to a foot deep that gives us a chance to relax a bit, mainly because the straight stretch leading to it is log filled and treacherous, and just above the bend the water is channeled so thin it cant be waded because the water is over the waders. Logs and boulders abound in the river here, providing excellent smallmouth habitat. I really didnt have any answers but suggested next year we camp in Ferals back yard if thats what it takes to get him to trout camp. Scavenger Hunts Adrenaline & Extreme Tours. Six fish per day. Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness (U.S. Forest Service), Sturgeon River Management Plan (1.4 MB PDF). These maps should be used along with the current Fishing Guide. The Manistee River starts in the center of the Lower Peninsula, about 20 miles north of Grayling, and then meanders for over 200 miles before flowing into Manistee Lake. However, there are deeper pools that can reach 5-8 feet in depth, usually around the outside of the bends. It's nearly time for the yearly all-hands-on-deck effort to protect a fragile population of lake sturgeon. Local Chamber of Commerce contact numbers for the Lower Peninsula rivers include (989) 354-4181 for the Thunder Bay and Alpena County; (989) 739-7322 for the lower Au Sable; (231) 723-2575 for the lower Manistee River; (231) 734-5555 (Evart) and (231) 796. Nod your head like you have just given up the garage. Big Creek soon splits into East and West branches, and both offer good trout fishing for browns. In addition to the bridges, there is a gravel public launch ramp at the Carney Dam site about two miles west of Stager. Often they will rise to poppers and deer-hair bugs even when there isn't a hatch. A few short hours later we were driving to a secluded river where we got to do some amazing fishing and hiking. There are only two road crossings below Tippy Dam, but there are a number of public boat launches, with the ones at High Bridge, Blacksmith Bayou, Bear Creek and Rainbow Bend in the prime smallmouth water. Ohio regulations. But here is the point of this untimely post: How can you appear to share a secret location without giving away the garage? This year, the rifle will be chambered in 7mm PRC, the hot new load that was a hit at SHOT Show 2023 in Las Vegas. However, there are deeper pools that can reach 5-8 feet in depth, usually around the outside of the bends. The smallmouth still predominate, but the trout respond to the same baits, lures and flies and will add variety to your fishing. One that's smoked first. 5. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The Michigamme joins the Brule to form the Menominee River about 10 miles northwest of Iron Mountain. A float down the Sturgeon River in northern Michigan. Fish were active and decent sized.

Small rainbows are present throughout the river system and are destined to smolt and become steelhead. Moving north but staying on the west side of the Lower Peninsula, we encounter a free-flowing stream with outstanding trout fishing. Below are the 2022 regulations at a glance: Waterbody. Drive 9.5 miles and turn left on Prickett Dam/SIlver Mountain Rd for another 39 miles. The northern Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula are known for their great trout fishing, but there's also super fishing for smallmouth bass for you to enjoy. The lower half of the East Branch is best, and both it and the mainstream are classified as blue-ribbon trout streams. Additional road crossings provide access, but they are far enough apart that you should plan on all-day float-fishing trips. The prime fly-fishing water is found between Deward and Smithville. Rondo Road For a good chance at big browns and more solitude, try the water somewhere between Walhalla and the Rainbow Rapids public access site, with Upper Branch Bridge and Su Lac access sites being good places to start. Well, it is true that the upper river and all of its branches are fine trout streams, but once we get to the much-impounded lower river, it is a different story. Among the accomplishments includes the recently concluded Save the Habitat, Save the Hunt initiative, which in 10 years conserved or enhanced 5.3 million acres of critical wildlife habitat, recruited 1.5 million new or lapsed hunters, and opened new access to 750,000 acres for hunting and recreation. Hunting and Fishing; The Iron River provides very good brook trout fishing, with the prime fishing just upstream from the town of Iron River. Trowbridge Road,