Au Sable River

The rule for this water, with the receipt.

Special regulations for Au Sable River, as the state words them

Alcona County · River · MI

Has its own special rules

How to read this page:Official text quoted regulationParsed fields from the ruleDerived calculated from rulesContext conditions, not a ruleAdvice our suggestion

Today's rule hereParsed

Season: Not captured yet - consult the statewide regulations
Gear: Not captured yet - consult the statewide regulations
Bait: Baitfish may only be used in the waters where collected. Any fish and frogs may be used as bait when legally taken and possessed, EXCEPT lampreys, live carp or Goldfish.Statewide
Poles: No more than 3 lines per person (including tip-ups) or more than 6 hooks or lures may be used.Statewide

Species	Daily limit	Size
Largemouth Bass	5 in any combination	min. 14"	Statewide
Smallmouth Bass	5 in any combination	min. 14"	Statewide
Walleye	5	min. 15"	Statewide
Northern Pike	2	min. 24"	Statewide
Flathead Catfish	5	min. 15"	Statewide
Channel Catfish	10	min. 12"	Statewide
Muskellunge (including Tiger Muskellunge)	Only 1 per angler per license year (Mandatory Registration)	min. 42"	Statewide
Yellow Perch	25	min. No size limit	Statewide
Sunfishes	25 in any combination of the listed species	-	Statewide
White Bass	25 on Gr. Lakes, L. St. Clair, St. Marys R., St. Clair R., and Detroit R. 10 on inland waters	-	Statewide
Cisco	10 in any combination on Gr. Lakes, Connecting Waters and Type F lakes, 5 in any combination on other inland waters	-	Statewide
Lake Whitefish	10 in any combination on Gr. Lakes, Connecting Waters and Type F lakes, 5 in any combination on other inland waters	-	Statewide
Round Whitefish	10 in any combination on Gr. Lakes, Connecting Waters and Type F lakes, 5 in any combination on other inland waters	-	Statewide
Lake Sturgeon	1 lake sturgeon per angler per year	-	Statewide
Smelt	2 gallons	min. No size limit	Statewide
Lake Trout Varies by water: 8" (Lake Type C); limit 1 (Lake Type D); limit 3 (Lake Type E); 10", limit 5/3^ (Lake Type F)	5/3*	min. 15"	Statewide
Coho, Chinook, & Pink Salmon Varies by water: limit 1 (Lake Type D); limit 3 (Lake Type E); limit 5/3^ (Lake Type F)	5/3*	min. 10"	Statewide
Atlantic Salmon Varies by water: limit 1 (Lake Type D); limit 3 (Lake Type E); 10", limit 5/3^ (Lake Type F)	5/3*	min. 15"	Statewide
Brook Trout Managed as Stream Type 3 (stream). Inland stream Type 3 definition (58 streams). Fishing and possession season Open All Year. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 3 block. Most Type 3 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.	See size rule	min. 15"	This water
Brown Trout Managed as Stream Type 3 (stream). Inland stream Type 3 definition (58 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 3 block. Chumming prohibited.	See size rule	min. 15"	This water
trout Possession Season: closed all year; except for children under 12 the possession season is open all year. Au Sable River Mainstream (Flies Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 9.0 miles. During closed season for all species fishing is prohibited.	zero trout; except children under 12 may keep 1 trout	min. for children under 12 there is an 8-inch minimum size limit and a 12-inch maximum size limit for trout.	This water
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, trout Possession Season: last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for Brook Trout and Brown Trout; open all year for Rainbow Trout. Au Sable River Mainstream (Artificial Lures Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 8.0 miles.	2 trout with no more than 1 trout 18" or greater	min. minimum size limit: Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout — 10"; Brown Trout — 18".	This water

The official text, verbatimOfficial text

Straight from MI's official regulations. Rules in force today lead; out-of-season rows are dimmed. Nothing is paraphrased. Not legal advice: verify the posted rules at the water.

The reach you are on

Au Sable River Mainstream from Evans Rd. (McKinley Bridge) downstream to 4001 Bridge.

Brook TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 7"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Fishing season Open All Year; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon, open all year for all other Trout and Salmon. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Most Type 4 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Chumming prohibited.

Rules for other dates

Brook TroutLast Sat. in April - Sep. 30 - does not apply today
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 2 (stream). Inland stream Type 2 definition (13 streams). Fishing season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 2 block. All Type 2 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. in April - Sep. 30 - does not apply today
Size 12"
Managed as Stream Type 2 (stream). Inland stream Type 2 definition (13 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 2 block. Chumming prohibited.

Other reaches in this official entry

Au Sable River Mainstream from Alcona Dam to S. Branch River.

Brook TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 7"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Fishing season Open All Year; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon, open all year for all other Trout and Salmon. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Most Type 4 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Chumming prohibited.

Au Sable River Mainstream from Business Loop 75 (James St.) downstream to Burton’s Landing (T26N, R3W, S11).

Rules for other dates

Brook TroutLast Sat. in April - Sep. 30 - does not apply today
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 2 (stream). Inland stream Type 2 definition (13 streams). Fishing season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 2 block. All Type 2 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. in April - Sep. 30 - does not apply today
Size 12"
Managed as Stream Type 2 (stream). Inland stream Type 2 definition (13 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 2 block. Chumming prohibited.

Au Sable River Mainstream from Burton’s Landing downstream to South Wakeley Bridge Rd. (Wakeley Bridge).

All fish
Assigned regulation Type: GR p.44. Season, minimum size, and daily limit are defined by the Type/BTRA/GR definition rule (not stated on this per-water row).

Au Sable River Mainstream from South Wakeley Bridge Rd. (Wakeley Bridge) to McMasters Bridge Rd. (McMasters Bridge).

All fish
Assigned regulation Type: GR p.44. Season, minimum size, and daily limit are defined by the Type/BTRA/GR definition rule (not stated on this per-water row).

Au Sable River Mainstream from McMasters Bridge Rd. (McMasters Bridge) downstream to Rainbow Bend power line (T26N, R2E, S3).

Brook TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 7"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Fishing season Open All Year; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon, open all year for all other Trout and Salmon. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Most Type 4 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Chumming prohibited.

Au Sable River Mainstream from Foote Dam downstream to Lake Huron. SC - Closed to Fishing - Year-round, from Foote Dam to the downstream edge of the apron of the dam.

Brook TroutOpen All Year
Size 15"
Managed as Stream Type 3 (stream). Inland stream Type 3 definition (58 streams). Fishing and possession season Open All Year. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 3 block. Most Type 3 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutOpen All Year
Size 15"
Managed as Stream Type 3 (stream). Inland stream Type 3 definition (58 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 3 block. Chumming prohibited.

Au Sable River Mainstream from Mio Dam down to the Mio power line at (T26N, R3E, S7).

Brook TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 7"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Fishing season Open All Year; possession season Last Sat. in April - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon, open all year for all other Trout and Salmon. Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Most Type 4 streams are designated trout streams. Chumming prohibited.
Brown TroutLast Sat. inApril - Sep. 30 for Brook Trout, Brown Trout, and Atlantic Salmon Open all year for all other Trout and Salmon (dates as written)
Size 10"
Managed as Stream Type 4 (stream). Inland stream Type 4 definition (128 streams). Daily possession limit not stated separately in the Type 4 block. Chumming prohibited.

Au Sable River Mainstream from Mio power line (T26N, R3E, S7) downstream to Evans Rd. (McKinley Bridge).

All fish
Assigned regulation Type: GR p.44. Season, minimum size, and daily limit are defined by the Type/BTRA/GR definition rule (not stated on this per-water row).

Au Sable River from Foote Dam downstream to the downstream edge of the apron of the dam

All fishall year - in force today
Closed to all fishing all year.
troutopen all year - in force today
Daily limit zero trout; except children under 12 may keep 1 troutSize for children under 12 there is an 8-inch minimum size limit and a 12-inch maximum size limit for trout.Gear artifcial flies only
Possession Season: closed all year; except for children under 12 the possession season is open all year. Au Sable River Mainstream (Flies Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 9.0 miles. During closed season for all species fishing is prohibited.
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, troutopen all year
Daily limit 2 trout with no more than 1 trout 18" or greaterSize minimum size limit: Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout — 10"; Brown Trout — 18".Gear artificial lures only
Possession Season: last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for Brook Trout and Brown Trout; open all year for Rainbow Trout. Au Sable River Mainstream (Artificial Lures Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 8.0 miles.
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, troutopen all year
Daily limit 2 trout with no more than 1 trout 18" or greaterSize minimum size limit: Brook Trout – 7"; Brown Trout – 18"; Rainbow Trout – 10".Gear artificial lures only
Possession Season: last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for Brook Trout and Brown Trout; open all year for Rainbow Trout. Au Sable River Mainstream (Artificial Lures Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 15.0 miles.
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, troutOpen all year
Daily limit 2 trout with no more than 1 trout 18" or greaterSize minimum size limit: Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout — 10"; Brown Trout — 18".Gear artificial flies only
Possession Season: last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for Brook Trout and Brown Trout; open all year for Rainbow Trout. Au Sable River North Branch (Flies Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 20.7 miles.
troutopen all year
Daily limit zero trout; except children under 12 may keep 1 troutSize for children under 12 there is an 8-inch minimum size limit and a 12-inch maximum size limit for trout.Gear artificial flies only
Possession Season: closed all year; except for children under 12 the possession season is open all year. Au Sable River South Branch (Flies Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 4.3 miles.
Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, troutopen all year
Daily limit 2 trout with no more than 1 trout 18" or greaterSize minimum size limit: Brook Trout and Rainbow Trout — 10"; Brown Trout — 18".Gear artificial flies only
Possession Season: last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for Brook Trout and Brown Trout; open all year for Rainbow Trout. Au Sable River South Branch (Flies Only Gear Restricted Stream). Mileage 11.5 miles.

How this answer was assembled

StatewideStatewide river rules are the base layer: default season, gear, bait, and limits.
This waterSpecial rules written for this exact water replace the statewide defaults where they speak.
Emergency orderEmergency orders in effect today override everything else. They sync quietly when the phone has coverage and never lock you out of the app.

Where this section begins and ends

Loading map…

The drawn shape is the named water, matched from the official list against OpenStreetMap and accepted only because the name resolved to a single feature in this water's county.

Evans Rd.(road: not found near line)
4001 Bridge.(road: not found near line)
Alcona Dam(dam: not found near line)
S. Branch River.(no geocodable landmark class)
Business Loop 75(no geocodable landmark class)
Burton’s Landing .(no geocodable landmark class)
South Wakeley Bridge Rd. .(road: not found near line)
McMasters Bridge Rd. .(road: not found near line)
Rainbow Bend power line .(no geocodable landmark class)
Foote Dam(dam: not found near line)
Lake Huron. SC - Closed to Fishing - Year-round, from Foote Dam to the downstream edge of the apron of the dam.(dam: not found near line)
Mio Dam down(dam: mio dam)
the Mio power line at .(no geocodable landmark class)
Mio power line(no geocodable landmark class)
the downstream edge of the apron of the dam(dam: not found near line)

0 of 10 stretch boundaries resolved to points on the line. Landmark pins are approximate where the law names a landmark; confirm posted boundaries at the water. Unresolved ends stay open rather than guessed.

Season at a glanceDerived

opensome sectionsclosedunknown

Sampled mid-month from the dated rows; short windows can slip between samples. The rows above are authoritative.

At the water nowContext

This Afternoon

59°F

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 10 mph · 0% precip

Tonight

34°F

Mostly Cloudy

Wind 0 to 5 mph · 0% precip

Thursday

57°F

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain

Wind 0 to 5 mph · 28% precip

Streamflow: 165 cfs at south branch au sable river near luzerne, mi (2026-10-14 12:30)

Forecast: National Weather Service. Flow: nearest active USGS gauge in this water's area, which may sit on a different reach. Conditions are context, not rules.

What are you fishing for here?Advice

Pick from the species named in Au Sable River's rules. Setups are checked against the gear rules in force today, and your picks are remembered on this device only. These are rule-aware suggestions, not a claim about what is biting; advice, not law, and the rules above govern.

You also need (Michigan)

No trout stamp or species endorsement. Michigan does not sell a trout stamp or any species-specific add-on. Every Michigan fishing license is an all-species license covering all species allowed for harvest.
Must carry license AND your purchase ID. You must have both the license and the ID you used to buy it on you while fishing, and show both if a conservation officer or any law enforcement officer asks.

Checked against Michigan Fishing Regulations - Fishing License Information (official Michigan DNR digest, eRegulations) on Aug. 4, 2026.

Receipts

Statewide rules

Statewide

MI official fishing regulations

Checked against this official source on July 7, 2026.

Special rules - Au Sable River

This water

MI official fishing regulations

Checked against this official source on July 7, 2026.

Local services near Au Sable River

Tackle shops, guides, and boat launches that serve this water will appear here - a separate lane below the rules, so a local business can reach you without ever getting between you and the regulation.

Run a shop or guide service on Au Sable River? Get listed.