Oscoda County, MI · Inland River
Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)
The birthplace of Trout Unlimited and one of America's most storied trout rivers — the "Holy Water" above Mio is flies-only, no-kill, holding wild brook and brown trout, while the lower river adds steelhead and salmon runs. Live USGS flow and temperature near Red Oak.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Brown Trout, Brook Trout & Rainbow Trout — tied at the top (35/100)
3 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio).
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 3 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Brown Trout Marginal conditions for Brown Trout. In season 35/100
What's helping
- 64°F water — inside brown trout's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 8"
- Daily creel
- 5
Michigan inland: 5 trout/day, 8" minimum, no more than 3 over 15" (Type 1).
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Brook Trout Marginal conditions for Brook Trout. In season 35/100
What's helping
- 64°F water — inside brook trout's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Salvelinus fontinalis — Maryland's only native trout and a conservation priority species. Surviving wild populations are in small, cold headwater streams in Garrett, Allegany, and a few pockets of central/western MD. Small, aggressive, and spectacularly colored — sensitive to warming and habitat loss.
Prefers. Water 40–65°F (ideal 52°F) · either tide · depth 1–10 ft.
- Min size
- 8"
- Daily creel
- 5
Michigan inland: 5 trout/day, 8" minimum (Type 1).
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Rainbow Trout Marginal conditions for Rainbow Trout. In season 35/100
What's helping
- 64°F water — inside rainbow trout's active range
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Min size
- 8"
- Daily creel
- 5
Michigan inland (Type 1/unclassified): 5 trout/day, 8" minimum, no more than 3 over 15". Type 2–4 reaches add gear and size restrictions — confirm the stream type.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#4 Steelhead Skip the Steelhead trip today. In season 0/100
What's helping
- 10 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
- Stable flow — settled river level — clearer water, easier wading
What's hurting
- 64°F water — above steelhead's active range (40–55°f) — fish move deep
- Thunderstorms — get off the water immediately when storms approach
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — Lake- or sea-run rainbow trout — chrome-bright fighters that ascend tributaries from fall through spring. The Great Lakes tributary steelhead run (Lake Erie’s “steelhead alley,” Lake Ontario, Michigan rivers) is a destination fishery; bite keys on flow and water clarity.
Prefers. Water 40–55°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 2–60 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 3
Michigan Great Lakes tributaries: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination (steelhead included). Spring and fall runs on the Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Au Sable.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Inland River
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Michigan
Coordinates
Notes
Michigan: 5 trout/day (8" min) on standard water; the Holy Water (Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge) is flies-only, catch-and-release. Confirm the stream type.
Local reports & rules for Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio): Michigan DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)?
Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Brown Trout, Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Steelhead. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) have?
Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Michigan: 5 trout/day (8" min) on standard water; the Holy Water (Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge) is flies-only, catch-and-release. Confirm the stream type.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio)?
state agency regulations apply at Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio). Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) tidal water?
No. Au Sable River (Grayling/Mio) is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.