Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Temp:
30°
Water Temp:
51
Streamside Michigan's Tip of the Week
THE ENTIRE BOARDMAN RIVER IS NOW CLOSED UPSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE ROAD UNTIL APRIL 27, 2024. GO TO DNR WEBSITE FOR SPECIAL REGS DOWNSTREAM TO THE MOUTH: https://www.mdnr-elicense.com 2023 All Species Fishing License is required through March, 2024. Warm weekend for the trout opening day. Temps in the 50's and into the upper 60's for the weekend. Some rain will be mixed in as well. Be ready for some off-color water if it rains with a sink-tip line and your streamer box. If it's dry, look for Hendricksons when the water reaches 53 degrees. Perfect weather this week for streamer fishing. Water temps are near the magic 53 degree hatch number late afternoons. Lower river has a few steelhead and lots of suckers coming in and out daily.
Directions open in app
Water Flow Data
5-Day Outlook as of 4/22/24
Warmer temps in the mid 60's to start the week and a cooler couple of days and a warm upper 60's for the weekend Trout Opening Day. Some rain for the weekend too. Streamer fishing is the preferred tactic to start, but Hendricksons may be popping for the weekend trout opener. Levels continue to fall to near normal but weekend rain will push the levels. Water temps will warm as week progresses and fishing will improve as a result. Go to zip code 49684 for latest weather at your favorite weather site.
Techniques & Tips as of 4/22/24
Time to look for the silt beds that will warm the water first and fish streamers over and below them as baitfish will gather near the warming water on top of the dark, shallow silt. Predators will lay in wait below and around these waters. Wading downstream, pulling streamers, and changing streamer color every 20 minutes will be the best tactic this week. Hendricksons will generally emerge around midday when the water temps reach 53 degrees. Hendrickson spinners will come later in the day when air temps are warmest around 5 or 6pm.
Local Species Available Boardman is now closed upstream of Beitner Rd until 4/27/24. Special regs downstream of Beitner
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Brook trout
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brown trout
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— brown & rainbow trout
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king & coho salmon
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smallmouth below Union St dam
Streamside Michigan's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
---|---|---|
Blue Winged Olive | N/A | #18 |
Bead Head Hare's Ear Flashback | N/A | #12-14 |
Red Quill | N/A | #12-14 |
Adams | N/A | #12-14 |
Lord's Extended Body Hendrickson | N/A | #12-14 |
Loop Winged Hendrickson Emerger | N/A | #14 |
Orvis CJ Nymph | copper | #14 |
Dark Hendrickson | N/A | #14 |
Lord's Egg Laying Hendrickson | N/A | #12-14 |
Mini D and D | tan, black, white, olive | #4-6 |
Streamside Michigan's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Class V Sink Tip Fly Line