Pere Marquette River
Michigan · Western Lower Michigan
Brown TroutRainbow TroutBrook TroutSteelhead
Top 5 Fishing Locations on Pere Marquette River
M-37 Bridge
The Pere Marquette at M-37 Bridge is the most popular access point on the river's famous steelhead and brown trout water. This classic Michigan river section produces steelhead runs from October through April with exceptional fall brown trout fishing. The river's cold clear character makes it ideal for wading anglers.
💧 Ideal flow: 400–1,200 CFS. The upper Pere Marquette fishes best at moderate flows — the only undammed river in the Great Lakes Basin.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
Rainbow Rapids
Rainbow Rapids section of the Pere Marquette is a legendary steelhead run with cold fast water that fish love. The PM's exceptional water clarity allows sight fishing for individual steelhead. Spring steelhead in March and April average 8-12 pounds in this section.
💧 Ideal flow: 300–900 CFS. The Forks section near Baldwin fishes well at moderate flows — June Hexagenia hatch begins in the third week.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
Upper PM near Baldwin
The upper Pere Marquette near Baldwin offers wild brown trout fishing in a beautiful pine forest setting. Fish averaging 12-16 inches respond well to classic Michigan dry fly presentations. The Hex hatch in late June creates some of Michigan's most exciting overnight fishing here.
💧 Ideal flow: 400–1,200 CFS. The lower Pere Marquette fishes best at moderate flows for steelhead and salmon — drift boats popular here.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
Gleason's Landing
Gleason's Landing is a historic Pere Marquette access point providing excellent wade fishing on a productive stretch. Brown trout and steelhead share this beautiful section of river. The mix of gravel runs and deeper pools creates ideal holding water throughout the season.
💧 Ideal flow: Fishes best at stable moderate flows — check TroutBible gauge before heading out as the PM runs free without any dam control.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
Walhalla Section
The lower Pere Marquette near Walhalla transitions toward Lake Michigan with excellent lake-run brown trout and steelhead. Fish in this section are large with lake-run browns exceeding 10 pounds in October. Float fishing through Walhalla covers the most productive water efficiently.
💧 Ideal flow: 300–900 CFS. The Hex hatch in late June is best at moderate stable flows — biggest brown trout of the year come to the surface.
📊 Get Location Flow Report
About Pere Marquette River Fishing
The Pere Marquette River is Michigan's only undammed river in the Great Lakes Basin, flowing freely through pristine Huron-Manistee National Forest from its headwaters near Baldwin all the way to Lake Michigan at Ludington. This designation as a completely free-flowing system has made it one of the nation's premier fly fishing destinations, renowned for exceptional populations of wild resident trout alongside returning steelhead and salmon.
Best Time to Fish Pere Marquette River
June is the crown jewel of the Pere Marquette's fishing calendar, when the legendary Hexagenia (Hex) mayfly hatch typically begins around the third week and provides weeks of dry fly opportunities targeting the year's largest brown trout. Outside the Hex season, consistent insect activity throughout spring and fall, combined with seasonal steelhead and salmon runs, keeps the river productive from April through November.
Species
The Pere Marquette supports robust populations of wild brown trout and rainbow trout that have adapted to the river's cool, clean, free-flowing environment and respond eagerly to well-presented dry flies and nymphs. Steelhead and Pacific salmon migrate into the system seasonally, offering additional opportunities for both swung-fly and nymphing techniques, particularly during fall and spring runs when these migratory fish push upstream through the lower sections toward spawning grounds.
Access & Regulations
Always check the current Michigan fishing regulations before heading out. Regulations on Pere Marquette River may include special catch-and-release sections, artificial-only stretches, and seasonal closures. A valid Michigan fishing license is required.
Live River Data
Streamflow data is pulled in real time from the USGS National Water Information System. Gauge readings — including CFS and gauge height — refresh every 15–60 minutes, giving you an accurate conditions check before you load up the truck.