AuSable River: Fly Fishing Conditions & Hatch Report

By Chris Izworski  ·  Updated Monday, April 27, 2026  ·  Daily reports at Michigan Trout Daily
Flow
1690 cfs
high
Water Temp
54.1°F
prime
Gauge Height
4.13 ft
USGS gauge
Conditions
[object Object]
as of 11:31 PM UTC
About This River

AuSable River, Northeast Lower Michigan

Holy Water stretch between Grayling and Mio. Premier wild trout fishery in the Midwest. Flies-only designated reaches, pristine spring-fed currents, legendary hatches. Home to Hex, Sulphur, and world-class rising brown trout.

Species present: Brown trout, Rainbow trout. Stream type: freestone.

Active Hatches: April 2026

What's Hatching Now

Based on current water temperature (54.1°F) and time of year, the following insects are active or expected on the AuSable River.

HatchLatinTop PatternsTime of Day
Midge Chironomidae Mercury Midge #20, Zebra Midge #20 midday
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) Baetis spp. Parachute BWO #16, Sparkle Dun BWO #16 midday
Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria Hendrickson Dry #12, Red Quill #12 afternoon
Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus spp. Elk Hair Caddis #14, X-Caddis #14 afternoon
Access & Regulations
Public Access
Grayling, Mio, Burton's Landing, Wakeley Bridge: extensive public access
Regulations
Special regulations on Holy Water (flies-only, C&R). Check DNR for designated water rules.
Target Species
Brown trout, Rainbow trout
Stream Type
Freestone
About the Author
Chris Izworski is a Michigan angler and the founder of the Michigan Trout Report, which tracks live conditions for 110+ Michigan rivers. He publishes daily stream reports at Michigan Trout Daily.
Get a daily conditions report for the AuSable River every morning during trout season.
Michigan Trout Daily →