World Famous Trout Streams

The Manistee and AuSable Rivers are among the premier trout streams in the nation.
Over one hundred miles of cool, crystal clear streams to explore.
Numerous road access points and public fishing sites for the convenience of the angler.
Some areas are easy wading, while others are more effectively navigated from a canoe or traditional “AuSable Riverboat”

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AuSable Riverboat Fishing

Local information

Local landmark shops sell fishing licenses, trout flies (including favorite local patterns), fly-fishing equipment and live bait.
The majority of the waters are open to any type of fishing including flies, hardware, and bait.
Local specialty outdoor shops advise on current hot spots, fly hatches and directions.
Detailed fishing and river books available at local outdoor shops.

Types of Fishing

Broad rivers offer easy fishing from a canoe or traditional “AuSable Riverboat”.
Local guide services available for wading or with a riverboat.
Fly fishermen will find numerous Bass and Pike lakes including trophy “catch & release” Wakeley Lake as well as Trout lakes.

Special River Sections

Fishing regulations vary between sections on the river with some areas designated for “flies only” or “catch and release”.
Four “flies only” sections include:
- Mainstream – Burton’s Landing to Wakeley Bridge
- South Branch – Chase Bridge to the mouth
- North Branch -Sheep Ranch to the mouth
- Manistee- M-72 W to CCC Bridge.
The AuSable’s “catch and release” sections are:
- Mainstream – Burton’s Landing to Wakeley Bridge
- South Branch – Chase Bridge to the lower high banks.

These special river sections are subject to change; please verify regulations when purchasing fishing licenses.

Fly Hatches

Common Name	Hook Size	Hatch Time	Hatch Date
Stonefly
Early Brown Stone	10-12	Afternoon	2/7-5/21
Medium Brown Stonefly	10-12	Morning & Night	5/1-8/21
Golden Stonefly	8-4XL	Morning & Night	5/21-6/21
Little Yellow Stonefly	14-18	Evening	6/1-9/21
Golden Stone	8-4XL	Night	6/15-8/1

Caddis
Little Black Caddis	16-18	Mid-Day	5/1-6/21
American Grammon	14-16	Mid-Day	5/7-6/21
Green Sedge	14-16	Afternoon	5/1-7/15
Cinnamon Sedge	14-16	Evening & Night	5/1-9/21
Little Green Sedge	16	Afternoon to evening	5/7-9/21
White Miller	14	Afternoon & evening	5/21-10/21

Mayfly
Blue-Wing Olive	16-18	Noon to evening	4/1-9/7
Slate-Wing Mahogony	16-18	Mid-Day	4/15-6/7
Hendrickson	12-14	Afternoon	4/20-5/15
Light Hendrickson	16	Afternoon	5/15-6/21
March Brown	12-2XL	Sporadic & Evening	5/1-7/1
Sulphur	16-18	Evenings	5/20-7/7
Large Mahogony Dun	10-2XL	Afternoon & evening	5/21-10/1
Gray Drake	10-12	Sporadic	5/21-7-7
Gray Drake	8	Sporadic	5/21-7/1
Brown Drake	8-10	Dusk	5/21-7/15
Giant Michigan Mayfly	8-4XL	Dusk & Dark	5/21-8/1
Tiny Blue-Wing Olive	22	Sporadic & Evening	6/15-11/1
Gray Drake	10-2XL	Sporadic	6/15-8/7
Light Cahill	12-14	Sporadic & Evening	5/15-9/7
Slate-Wing Olive	16-18	Morning	6/21-8/15
White Mayfly	10-12	Evening	8/1-10/7

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has a variety of guides available with general law and license information. These guides are also available when fishing licenses are purchased.

Contact: Roscommon DNR
8717 N. Roscommon Rd. Roscommon, MI 48653