| Michigan Flyfishing opportunities abound in northern Michigan! Through the seasons, you can be fishing for trophy trout during one of our major hatches, "banging the wood" with streamers, throwing hoppers to a sudden death, or fishing mice at night for marauding brown trout. Summer smallmouth provide great streamer and popper action. Spring and Fall bring double-digit steelhead, and the salmon fishing in the Fall will leave you mumbling to yourself all winter!
This calendar is intended to help you understand the types of fly fishing in Michigan that are available seasonally in the northern-central Michigan region.
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TROUT FISHING:
- EARLY SEASON: (starts at ice out)
The early season can change from day to day...chilly and overcast to sunny and warm. The fish begin to feed heavily when the water temp reaches 55F. Hendricksons fire up the big fish and super trout hunt crayfish and forage fish with serious intent. We suggest a 4 or 5 wt rod for dry fly work and a 6 or 7 with sinking line for streamers. Early season hatches include Hendricksons, Mahoganies, March Browns, Sulphurs, Caddis, and Stone Flies. - MIDDLE SEASON:
The middle season begins on June 1. Sulphurs are still hatching, but brown drakes, Isonychia, and Hexagenia Limbata ("hex") take center stage. Streamer fishing is best at dawn or dusk. The large dorsata stonefly (size 4) hatches at this time and deer hair mice start producing heavy fish at night or on cloudy days. Caddis, assorted stone flies, and Light Cahills are on the water. Local ponds and lakes offer some great bass and bluegill fishing during the summer. - LATE SEASON:
The late season begins with the White Fly (Ephoron leukon and album) around August 14. Streamer fishing picks up again in mid September with aggressive browns in full spawning colors whacking large sculpin and crayfish patterns.
STEELHEAD & SALMON:
- SPRING:
Spring steelhead fishing accelerates in late March and peaks in late April on the Rifle River and Au Sable River. Fish run from about four to over ten pounds. About 50% are fin-clipped, designating hatchery fish. A mix of egg patterns and nymphs work well. If conditions are right, swinging streamers and Spey patterns is high excitement. - FALL:
Fall steelhead fly fishing is best from mid October through November.
Salmon are available during late August, September, and early October.
SMALLMOUTH BASS:
Smallmouth bass fishing is superb on the lower Au Sable during July and August.
LAKE HURON:
For the strong of heart we offer limited trips to the really big water, the flats of Lake Huron, during November for huge brown trout in shallow water. This is extreme streamer fishing with 8 and 9 weight rods, fast sinking lines, big flies, and cold temperatures. But, the browns average about ten pounds.
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