How to use this guide
This guide covers the Au Sable River main stream from Burton's Landing downstream to Wakeley Bridge, the stretch known as the "Holy Water." Everything here was checked in October 2026 against the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (effective April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027), Fisheries Order 200 (trout and salmon regulations) and Fisheries Order 210 (designated trout streams), both from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), plus the other sources listed at the end. The DNR's printed digest and interactive regulation maps are the final word — check Michigan.gov/DNRRegs before every trip.
The Water at a Glance
The Au Sable River rises from groundwater-fed springs near Grayling, in Crawford County, and runs east across the northern Lower Peninsula toward Lake Huron. The "Holy Water" is the main-stream reach from Burton's Landing downstream to Wakeley Bridge, a run of roughly 8.7 river miles through state forest land, cedar swamp and sand-bottomed flats. Trout Unlimited was founded on the banks of the Au Sable in 1959, and the river's culture of angler-led conservation — the Holy Water rules, the poled Au Sable riverboat, the after-dark Hex tradition — grew out of that history. Fish. Wild brown trout are the dominant fish through the Holy Water, with wild brook trout in the colder spring-fed stretches and some rainbow trout as well. The river is managed as a wild, self-sustaining fishery rather than a put-and-take stream.
| Reach | Character |
|---|---|
| Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge ("Holy Water") | Flies-only, catch-and-release, open year-round — see Section 2 for the exact DNR designation. |
| Mainstream above Burton's Landing | Designated trout water under different Type rules; check the current regulation map before fishing. |
| Mainstream below Wakeley Bridge | Returns to general inland trout regulations; gear-restricted sections exist nearby — check the map. |
Know the exact boundary. DNR access-site information for Burton's Landing identifies it as the upstream end of the Holy Water; Wakeley Bridge is the commonly cited downstream end. Regulation types can change immediately outside this reach, so confirm your exact location against the DNR's inland trout and salmon regulation map before you start fishing.
Michigan DNR Rules on the Holy Water
Source: Michigan DNR, 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations and Fisheries Orders 200 and 210, both in effect April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027. Summarized in our own words — read the current digest for exact legal wording, and check the DNR's interactive regulation map for the latest boundary and designation for any specific spot.
What the DNR says about the Holy Water
- DNR access-point information for Burton's Landing and nearby Michigan state-forest landings describes this reach as the upstream boundary of the "Holy Waters" section of the Au Sable, with artificial-flies-only, catch-and-release management long associated with this water.
- DNR trout-trail site pages for individual landings in this stretch reference specific stream-type and gear-restricted designations rather than a single blanket rule for the whole river — the Type can change from one landing to the next.
- Statewide, DNR's general inland trout and salmon rule (Fisheries Order 200) sets a default open season all year, an 8-inch minimum size (7 inches for brook trout) and a 5-fish daily limit on any water not separately classified — but gear-restricted and flies-only designations override this default where they apply, which is the case through the core of the Holy Water.
Before you fish: confirm the Type for your exact spot. Michigan trout-stream regulations are set landing-by-landing and mile-by-mile, not river-by-river. Use the DNR's online Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations map (Michigan.gov/DNR → Fishing → Maps) or call the DNR Fisheries Division at 517-284-5830 to confirm the current season, gear rule, size limit and bag limit for the stretch you plan to fish, every time — regulations in this order are revised annually.
Statewide rules that also apply
- Everyone age 17 or older needs a valid Michigan fishing license to fish public waters; anglers under 17 may fish without one but must follow all rules.
- Michigan's inland trout season generally opens the last Saturday in April — April 25, 2026 — on streams with a defined season; many gear-restricted and flies-only reaches (including parts of the Holy Water) are open to fishing all year. Confirm the season for your exact spot on the current regulation map.
- "Artificial flies" is a defined term in Fisheries Order 200 — a single-pointed hook (or up to two inline hooks) dressed with natural or artificial materials, cast with a fly rod and fly line. Spinning gear, bait and most lures do not meet this definition where flies-only rules apply.
- Obey all posted DNR boundary signs at landings — they mark the exact start and end of each regulation type and are the most reliable guide on the water.
Michigan Fishing Licenses (2026)
| License (Michigan DNR, 2026 season, Apr. 1, 2026 – Mar. 31, 2027) | Price |
|---|---|
| Annual all-species, resident | $26 (plus $1 surcharge) |
| Annual all-species, nonresident | $76 (plus $1 surcharge) |
| Annual all-species, senior (65+ or legally blind, MI residents only) | $11 (plus $1 surcharge) |
| Daily all-species, resident or nonresident | $10/day |
| Voluntary youth all-species (16 and under) | $2 (plus $1 surcharge) |
| DNR Sportcard (required to buy a license if you don't already have one) | $1 |
Per Michigan DNR, anyone age 17 or older needs a license to fish public waters, and a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans or reptiles. Licenses are sold through the Michigan DNR Hunt Fish app, at Michigan.gov/DNRLicenses, or at retail agents. There is no separate Michigan trout stamp — the base all-species license covers trout and salmon.
Flows & Gauges Near Grayling
The historical USGS gauge named "Au Sable River at Grayling" (station 04135500) no longer reports current data — its published record runs only from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. For live conditions near Grayling and on the Holy Water, use the two active USGS gauges below instead.
| USGS gauge | Where / what it tells you |
|---|---|
| 04136000 — Au Sable River near Red Oak, MI | The nearest currently active mainstream gauge downstream of Grayling, roughly a dozen miles below the Holy Water. Reports discharge, gage height and water temperature in real time; operated with Consumers Energy and Michigan EGLE. |
| 04136500 — Au Sable River at Mio, MI | Further downstream, below several impoundments. Useful for a broader read on system-wide flow and a long period of record for comparison. |
USGS data are provisional and subject to revision; always check the live reading before you go.
Practical notes
- The Holy Water itself does not have its own real-time gauge; treat the Red Oak and Mio readings as regional indicators of trend, not an exact number for the Burton's Landing–Wakeley Bridge reach.
- The Au Sable is groundwater-fed and runs clear and cold most of the year, but heavy rain or dam operations upstream can raise flow and color quickly — compare the current reading with the past few days.
- Watch water temperature as well as flow, especially in late June around the Hex hatch and in warm summer stretches — Michigan DNR and conservation groups encourage anglers to avoid playing trout in water that is too warm.
4. Access Points, Burton's Landing to Wakeley
Bridge Michigan DNR publishes individual access-site pages (its "Trout Trails" series) for public landings along the Holy Water. The two confirmed below bracket the reach; several more pull-offs exist along North and South Down River Roads in between — follow posted DNR access signs and respect private property.
| Access point | DNR notes |
|---|---|
| Burton's Landing | DNR describes this as the upstream end of the Holy Waters section; wild brook trout to about 12 inches and wild brown trout to 20-plus inches are present. A popular canoe and drift-boat put-in. From M-72, travel about 3 miles east of the M-72/Business I-75 junction, then about a half mile north to the landing. |
| Keystone Landing | A Michigan state forest campground with river access. From the M-72/Business I-75 junction, travel about 4 miles east to Keystone Landing Road, then about a half mile north. |
| Wakeley Bridge | Commonly cited as the downstream boundary of the Holy Water. Confirm the current regulation boundary against the DNR's online map before you fish immediately up- or downstream of the bridge. |
Getting there
- Grayling, in Crawford County, is the gateway town for the Holy Water, roughly 20 minutes from the upper end of the reach.
- South Down River Road runs along one bank and North Down River Road along the other for much of the Holy Water, with DNR-marked pull-offs connecting to the river.
- The Au Sable riverboat — a long, flat-bottomed wooden boat poled from the stern — is the traditional way local guides fish the Holy Water, especially for evening hatches; wading is also widely practiced from the landings and bridges.
Private and state forest land
Much of the Holy Water corridor runs through the Au Sable State Forest, but adjacent stretches include private land. Use marked DNR access sites, obey posted signs, and do not cross private property without permission.
Approximate Food & Hatch Chart
Windows below are approximate. They summarize commonly reported patterns for the Au Sable and other Michigan sand-and-spring trout rivers, and vary from year to year with water temperature and weather. No agency publishes an official hatch chart for the Holy Water — check a Grayling-area fly shop or recent reports for current activity before you tie on a fly.
| Insect | Approx. window | Typical sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson | late Apr.–early May | #12–16 | Classic Michigan trout-opener hatch. |
| Sulphur / PMD | late May–June | #14–18 | Reliable evening emergences. |
| Brown Drake | early–mid June | #10–12 | Often described as the warm-up act before the Hex. |
| Hexagenia ("the Hex") | late June–early July, after dark | #4–8 | The signature Au Sable event; timing shifts with water temperature each year. |
| Isonychia | June–Sept. | #10–12 | Day and dusk searcher pattern. |
| Trico | July–Sept., mornings | #20–24 | Spinner falls on slower flats. |
| Blue-winged olive | spring and fall | #16–20 | Useful on overcast, cooler days. |
Month-by-month at a glance (approximate)
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson | ● | ● | |||||||||
| Sulphur/PMD | ● | ● |
| Brown Drake | ● |
|---|---|
| Hex | ● |
| Iso | ● |
| Trico |
| BWO | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
|---|
Remember: the Holy Water's flies-only, catch-and-release rule applies regardless of what is hatching. Confirm the current gear rule for your exact spot before fishing a nymph or streamer rig (Section 2).
The Fly Box & Rigging
A starter trout box for the Holy Water. Where flies-only rules apply, only artificial flies fished with a fly rod and fly line are legal — no spinning gear, bait, or weighted lure rigs.
| Fly | Imitates | Sizes | How to fish it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson dun / Red Quill | Hendrickson mayfly | #12–16 | Classic spring dry during the hatch. |
| Sulphur dun & emerger | Sulphur / PMD | #14–18 | Evening risers on flats and bends. |
| Brown Drake dun | Brown Drake | #10–12 | Dusk, mid-June, before the Hex arrives. |
| Hex dun & spinner (e.g., Michigan Mousee, Hex Wiggler) | Hexagenia limbata | #4–8 | After dark, late June into July, over silt and sand. |
| Pheasant Tail / Hare's Ear nymph | General mayfly nymph | #14–18 | Dead-drift in runs and seams. |
| Elk Hair Caddis | Adult caddis | #14–18 | Evenings and riffles, nearly year-round. |
| Woolly Bugger / small streamer | Baitfish, sculpin | #6–10 | Early season and low light, where gear rules allow. |
Suggested rigging
- Rod: an 8'6"–9' 4- or 5-weight fits most Holy Water dry-fly and nymph fishing.
- Leader: 9 feet, tapered to 4X–6X for the technical, clear-water trout here.
- For the Hex at night: a 9' 6-weight, short stout leader to 2X–3X, a headlamp with a red filter, and extra caution wading in the dark.
- Confirm the exact gear rule (flies-only vs. a nearby gear-restricted reach) for your spot before changing rigs — see Section 2.
Catch-and-release. The Holy Water is managed catch-and-release for all trout. Keep fish in the water, use a rubberized net, minimize handling and fight time, and revive fish facing into the current before release.
Live Conditions & Resources
Scan or tap before you drive.
| USGS near Red Oak | MI DNR regulations | DNR regulation maps |
|---|
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| USGS 04136000 (near Red Oak) | https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-04136000/ |
| USGS 04136500 (at Mio) | https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-04136500/ |
| Michigan DNR fishing regulations | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/fishing-regulations |
| Michigan DNR inland trout & salmon regulation maps | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/maps |
| Michigan DNR license information | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/license-info |
| Fisheries Order 210 — designated trout streams | https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/fisheries |
| Anglers of the Au Sable | https://ausableanglers.org/ |
| Trout Unlimited — Au Sable history | https://www.tu.org/ |
| More free guides | https://learningtoflyfish.com/field-guides |
Safety
Fly fishing involves real risks. These are general precautions, not a guarantee of safety.
- Wading. The Au Sable has soft sand bottoms and holes near log jams and undercut banks. Wade carefully, use a wading staff, and go slow after dark during the Hex.
- Night fishing. The Hex hatch draws anglers into the river after dark. Scout your water in daylight first, fish with a partner, and carry a reliable light.
- Cold water. Spring and late-fall water is cold even when air temperatures are mild. Dress for immersion, not just for the weather.
- Weather. Leave the water if a thunderstorm approaches — a graphite rod conducts electricity.
- Remote stretches. Parts of the corridor have limited cell coverage. Tell someone your plan and expected return time.
- Emergencies. Call 911.
Sources & Disclaimer
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources: 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations digest (in effect April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2027); Fisheries Order 200 (Inland Rivers and Streams — Trout and Salmon Regulations); Fisheries Order 210 (Designated Trout Streams for Michigan); DNR fishing license information page; DNR regulation maps page.
- Michigan DNR "Trout Trails" access-site PDFs for Burton's Landing and Keystone Landing on the Au Sable River.
- U.S. Geological Survey: site records and live readings for gauges 04135500 (Au Sable River at Grayling — historical, discontinued), 04136000 (Au Sable River near Red Oak) and 04136500 (Au Sable River at Mio).
- Trout Unlimited: organizational history referencing its 1959 founding on the Au Sable River.
- Hatch and fly information reflects commonly reported patterns for the Au Sable system and is presented as approximate guidance, not official agency data.
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general information. It was checked against the sources above in October 2026, and we work to keep it accurate, but errors can occur, and regulations, access, fees, stream-type boundaries and river conditions change — Michigan's trout-stream regulations in particular are revised and re-designated regularly. Always confirm current rules for your exact location with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources before you fish, respect private property and posted signs, and obey DNR boundary markers. Fly fishing, wading and night fishing involve inherent risks — check flows before you go, never wade beyond your ability, and leave the water when storms approach; your safety is your own responsibility. LearningToFlyFish.com is not affiliated with the Michigan DNR or any agency named in this guide. Full disclaimer: learningtoflyfish.com/disclaimer.
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