River and Stream Fishing

The forest adheres to State licensing regulations, including size and quantity limits.

The following sites charge a recreation or concession day use fee:

Parent Location	Recreation Site
Au Sable River - 4001 Canoe Landing to Lake Huron	Au Sable Vista
	Sawmill Point
	Thompsons Landing
	Whirlpool Angler Access
Au Sable National Scenic River	Au Sable Loop
	Gabions
	4001 Canoe Landing
Little Manistee River	Driftwood Valley
Manistee River	Bear Creek Access
	Blacksmith Bayou
	High Bridge
	Rainbow Bend
	Sawdust Hole
	Udell Rollways
Pere Marquette River	Bowman Bridge
	Claybanks
	Green Cottage
	Gleasons
	Indian Bridge
	Maple Leaf
	Rainbow Rapids
	Upper Branch Bridge
Pine River, Scenic	Dobson Bridge
	Elm Flats
	Low Bridge
	Peterson Bridge North
	Peterson Bridge South
White River	Pines Point

Look for this sign when you enter the site: Recreation Fee Symbol - Sign at Recreation Sites

Passes can be paid for at the site by using a fee envelope, located near the bulletin board or can be purchased from a Forest Serice Office or vendor. For more information on which passes are available and which pass will best suit your needs during your visit, visit the Passes and Permits section of the website.

River and Stream Fishing Areas

Au Sable River
From Mio Pond to Lake Huron, the Au Sable is primarily managed by the HMNF. The river is managed in two sections, one from Mio Pond to Alcona Dam Pond, the second from Alcona Dam to Lake Huron.

Au Sable National Wild and Scenic River

The Au Sable National Scenic River stretches 23-miles, from Mio to Alcona Pond. For additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron

This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere.

Highbanks River Trail

A short, 7-mile hike along the bluffs of the Au Sable River will provide day hikers with some of the best, and most dramatic, views of the Au Sable River, where hikers or skiers will be able to look over the river valley, with clear views almost to Lake Huron in some spots.

Lubmerman's Monument Visitor Center and Forest Discovery Trial

Lumberman’s Monument Visitor Center interprets the area’s colorful lumbering past. The 14-foot Lumberman’s Monument stands on a high bank with the Au Sable River providing a scenic backdrop.

River Road National Scenic Byway

The twenty-two mile River Road National Scenic Byway extends westward from Lake Huron into the Huron National Forest. It parallels the historic Riviere aux Sable (River of Sand). Lumbermen’s Monument Visitor Center sits at the center of the byway.

Brochures and Maps:
- Au Sable National Scenic River (pdf)
- River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument
Flickr Photo Albums:
- Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
- Au Sable National Scenic River
Au Sable National Scenic River

The Au Sable National Scenic River, is a 23-mile portion of the Au Sable River that stretches from Mio to Alcona Pond. President Ronald Reagan signed the law establishing the segment of river as a National Scenic River on October 4, 1984. By receiving this designation, this free-flowing segment from below Mio Pond to the upper end of Alcona Pond received national recognition for its outstanding and remarkable scenic, recreational, biological and historical values and a national commitment to its protection. People have enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Au Sable for hundreds of years.

In pre-European settlement times, Native Americans used the river as a travel route. After European settlement of the area, the Au Sable River was a major throughway for floating white pine to sawmills or waiting barges at ports on Lake Huron. During those years many of the logs and fallen trees that littered the river were carried downstream with the harvested white pine. In recent years efforts have been made to replace logs in the river to help reduce erosion and maintain the world-class trout fishing river as an aquatic habitat.

Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Album
4001 Canoe Landing
Au Sable Loop Campground and Day Use Area
Buttercup Campground
Davis Rest Stop
Gabions Campground and Day Use
Meadow Springs Campground
River Dune Campground
Au Sable River - Alcona Dam to Lake Huron
This section provides motorboat opportunities with a lake fishing atmosphere. Its flow of water still serves as an important link in the production of the state's electrical power supply.

Brochure with map:
- River Road National Scenic Byway (pdf) - this brochure shows River Road, the Au Sable River and Lumberman's Monument
- Highbanks River Trail Map (coming soon)
- Eagle Run Trail Map (coming soon)
The brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller. The trail maps are set to printon 8.5x11 paper.

Flickr Photo Albums:
Au Sable Area
Cooke Area
Pine Acres Boat Launch
Thompson's Landing River Access
Whirlpool Angler Access
Rollways Campground and Day Use Area
Little Manistee River, National Scenic Study River

The Little Manistee River offers many opportunities for steelhead and trout fishing. The river banks are covered with lowland brush, swamp conifers, white pine and a variety of oak. The river has many bends and large logs. Water levels can become fairly shallow during dry summer months. There are a number of dispersed fishing access sites along the river, some of which allow camping.

Map: This brochure is set to print on 8.5x11 paper, landscape (wide) orientation.
Bear Track Campground
Little Muskegon River
Minnie Pond Campground
Manistee River
The Manistee River, from Tippy Dam to the M-55 Bridge, is a designated National Recreation River. There are several river access sites, day use areas and campgrounds located along this section of river. During the summer the river is popular with canoers and kayakers, while during the fall salmon season, sites such as Suicide Bend and Sawdust Hole are popular with anglers.

The section north of Tippy Dam, up to Hodenpyl Dam Pond, is bordered on either side by the Manistee River Trail and the North Country National Scenic Trail. This area is also within the Manistee River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area, a 7,900 acre area of the Forest.

Brochure with map:
This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Albums
- Manistee River
- Manistee River Trail
Bear Creek Scenic River
Manistee National Recreation River
The Manistee River between Tippy Dam and the M-55 Bridge was designated as a National Recreational River in 1996. The river is wide and characterized by steep banks and sharp bends, with a swift current and mostly slow, wide bends.

The river corridor supports a wide variety of recreational activities throughout the year, including hiking on the North Country National Scenic Trail and Manistee River Trail.

In the fall, hunters come from all over to take advantage of the abundant white-tailed deer, waterfowl and small game hunting available along the river.

Anglers are lured by the annual salmon and steelhead runs, as well as brown trout, smallmouth bass and walleye. However, salmon season is particularly busy on the river.

Backwater bayous, extensive riparian areas and mature forest communities provide habitat for a diverse number of wildlife species. The lower Manistee River is considered to be the most extensive and least disturbed remnant of true red-shouldered hawk habitat in the state.

Click here for more information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Brochure with map:
This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Albums
- Manistee River
- Manistee River Trail
Bear Creek River Access Site
Blacksmith Bayou Access Site
Government Landing
High Bridge Access Site
Rainbow Bend Access Site
Red Bridge River Access Site
Sawdust Hole River Access
Suicide Bend Fishing Site
Tunk Hole River Access Site
Manistee River Area
Manistee River Trail
The Manistee River Trail follows the east shore of the Manistee River for 8.8 miles through rolling hills. The trail traverses past several wetlands and there are bridges crossing two creeks. A waterfall near the northern end of the trail is very popular with many hikers. The Manistee River Trail/North Country National Scenic Trail connector is also the site of the largest wooden suspension bridge in Lower Michigan. Several observation sites along the trail provide hikers with vista views of the Manistee River and surrounding area. There are several dispersed campsites along the trail.

A 23-mile loop trail is formed with the Manistee River Trail along the Manistee River. The loop trail can be accessed from the Marilla and Upper River Road Trailheads for the North Country National Scenic Trail and the Red Bridge and Seaton Creek accesses for the Manistee River Trail.

Brochure with map:
This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Albums
- Manistee River
- Manistee River Trail
Pere Marquette River
The Pere Marquette National Scenic River is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge.

The Bowman Lake Special Area is 1,100 acres and has both the Pere Marquette and North Country National Scenic Trail going through it.

Whelan Lake Special Area is a 2,800 acre area located near the south branch of the Pere Marquette River.
Pere Marquette National Scenic River
In July 1978 the Pere Marquette River and its major tributaries were designated a Michigan Natural River by the State of Michigan. This same year the river was added as a National Wild and Scenic River, the first in Michigan. The scenic portion of the river is a sixty-six mile stretch from the junction of the Middle and Little South Branches east of Baldwin to the Old Highway 31 Bridge. The Natural River designation includes the main stem and major tributaries.

Brochure with Map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Album

Click here for additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.
72nd St. Angler Trail and Fishing Access
Bowman Bridge Campground and River Access
Claybanks Campground
Elk Canoe Campground
Gleason's Landing Campground and River Access
Green Cottage
Indian Bridge
Jorgenson Angler Trail and Fishing Access Site
Log Mark Rest Stop Canoe and Fishing Landing
Lower Branch Bridge Trail and Fishing Access
Maple Leaf Angler Trail and Fishing Access Site
Rainbow Rapids
Rosebush Bend Angler Trail and Fishing Access
Sulak Campground
Upper Branch Bridge Landing
Whelan Lake Area
Pine National Scenic River

The lower 26-miles of the Pine River was designated a National Scenic River in 1992. The Pine River provides a unique recreation experience for lower Michigan, supporting quality opportunities for a diversity of recreation activities in a relatively undeveloped setting. Canoeing and kayaking are the primary activities on this river, with much of the appeal being the fast water and light rapids. It is a designated "Blue Ribbon" cold-water trout stream, with fishing being the second most popular activity on the river. The Pine River has the fastest average flow of any river in lower Michigan.

Scenery is one of the most outstanding attributes of the river. The designated portion of the river contains a unique riparian landform with its deeply incised river channel and high, exposed sand banks. Diverse vegetation contributes to the overall "scenic" feel of the river. Tree species vary from cedar-hemlock, ash, elm, sugar and red maple, and basswood in the lowland portions to mixed oak, pine and aspen in the upland areas. There are small openings scattered throughout the corridor that provide habitat diversity for many species of wildlife.

Brochure with Map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Album

Click here for additional information on our Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Dobson Bridge River Access
Elm Flats Canoe Landing
Low Bridge Canoe Landing
Peterson Bridge North Day Use and Boat Launch Area
Peterson Bridge South Campground
South Branch Pine River
This river is not navigable for canoeing or boating, however it is an excellent river for cold-water fishing.
South Branch Au Sable Area
White River

Three sections of the White River are currently being study for inclusion as a National Scenic River. Currently the White River is designated Scenic by the State of Michigan.

The White River is characterized by a primarily sand bottom with deep pockets of water and small sections of gravel bottom. Paddlers find the river to be a steady and moderate float, with a meandering course.

The forest on either side of the river is primarily stands of oak, maple and aspen hardwoods mixed with red and white pine.

Wildlife abounds and fishing is a popular activity. A large portion of the river flows through the White River Semi-Primitive Nonmotorized Area.
Diamond Point
Pines Point
Podunk River Access
Sischo Bayou
St. Hubert Angler Parking
White River Area