Brook Trout Fishing in Au Sable River

Brook Trout fishing in the Au Sable River is primarily a spring and early summer pursuit, best in smaller, cooler tributaries. A 3-weight to 5-weight fly rod is ideal for these delicate fighters, often found in pocket water and along stream banks.

Brook Trout are the only native trout species in Michigan and are highly prized for their stunning coloration, especially during the fall spawning season. They prefer cold, clear, well-oxygenated water and are often found in smaller streams, spring-fed creeks, and the cooler sections of larger rivers like the Au Sable. Their diet consists mainly of aquatic insects, terrestrial insects that fall into the water, and small crustaceans. They are not typically large fish, but their aggressive takes and beautiful markings make them a joy to catch. We often target them by casting upstream to pocket water and riffles where they hold.