UTERBrown trout fishing in Michigan freshwater
In Michigan freshwater, brown trout peak April–June and September–November and are around year-round, spawning in October–November, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. June: Au Sable and Pere Marquette Hex hatch at night.
Big browns run up from the lakes.
Brown trout in Michigan freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeak
- MayPeak
- JunePeakAu Sable and Pere Marquette Hex hatch at night.
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberPeak
- OctoberSpawningBig browns run up from the lakes.
- NovemberSpawning
- DecemberAround
Where to fish brown trout near Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake
Eleven thousand inland lakes for walleye, pike, bass and panfish, the Au Sable and Pere Marquette trout rivers, and the Great Lakes' runs (see the lake guides).
What to use for brown trout
- Minnows (fatheads, shiners)Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers.
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- CrayfishHooked through the tail on a #2 to 2/0 hook and dragged slowly along rock and gravel — the smallmouth bait, and good for catfish and walleye.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 36–72°F water, best at 50–64°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch brown trout in Michigan freshwater?
Peak season is April–June and September–November, with fish spawning in October–November (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Brown trout are here year-round. June: Au Sable and Pere Marquette Hex hatch at night.
Where do brown trout hold in Michigan freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, lake, reservoir — around Au Sable River, Pere Marquette, Houghton Lake, Lake St. Clair, Burt Lake, Manistee River.
What is the best bait for brown trout in Michigan freshwater?
Live bait: minnows (fatheads, shiners), nightcrawlers, crayfish. Minnows (fatheads, shiners): Hooked lightly through the lips or behind the dorsal on a #6 to #2 hook under a slip bobber for crappie, perch and walleye; a big golden shiner on a 2/0 to 4/0 for largemouth, pike and stripers. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for brown trout in Michigan freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Michigan DNR) and change — read the current rule at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info.
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All about brown trout · Michigan fresh water, the whole year