Sturgeon River (UP): Fly Fishing Conditions & Hatch Report

By Chris Izworski  ·  Updated Monday, April 27, 2026  ·  Daily reports at Michigan Trout Daily
Flow
1300 cfs
high
Water Temp
N/A
unavailable
Gauge Height
6.95 ft
USGS gauge
Conditions
[object Object]
as of 11:40 PM UTC
About This River

Sturgeon River (UP), Western Upper Peninsula

One of Michigan's premier brook trout streams. Flows through the Ottawa National Forest: cold, clear, and remote. The native brook trout here are wild and beautiful.

Species present: Brook trout. Stream type: UP headwater.

Active Hatches: April 2026

What's Hatching Now

Based on current water temperature and time of year, the following insects are active or expected on the Sturgeon River (UP).

HatchLatinTop PatternsTime of Day
Midge Chironomidae Mercury Midge #20, Zebra Midge #20 midday
Little Black Stonefly Capniidae / Leuctridae Little Black Stonefly #14, Black Stonefly Nymph #14 afternoon
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) Baetis spp. Parachute BWO #16, Sparkle Dun BWO #16 midday
Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria Hendrickson Dry #12, Red Quill #12 afternoon
Early Brown Stonefly Rhyacophilidae Elk Hair Caddis (brown) #14, Hare's Ear Nymph #12 morning
Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus spp. Elk Hair Caddis #14, X-Caddis #14 afternoon
Access & Regulations
Public Access
Ottawa National Forest roads, US-45 crossings
Regulations
Special brook trout regulations apply: check DNR. Artificial lures only in sections.
Target Species
Brook trout
Stream Type
UP Headwater
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 Sturgeon River (UP) every morning during trout season.
Michigan Trout Daily →