Fishing Season: Boardman River is now fully open.

Boardman River - MI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

58

Streamside Michigan's Tip of the Week

THE BOARDMAN RIVER IS NOW FULLY OPEN. https://www.mdnr-elicense.com 2025 All Species fishing license is required now. A mix of sun, clouds, and only a little rain this week with much warmer temps rising only into the 70's. Levels have dropped to near normal levels and water is now clear. Water temps have also risen with sunshine and warm temps into the upper 50's which is pushing the emergences of Hendricksons and black caddis. Streamer fishing is also very good. Hendrickson activity is good in the warmer gravel sections around Brown Bridge Rd. and below with spinner falls evenings.

Directions open in app

Map of Boardman River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Hawkins Outfitters,
Streamside Orvis

5-Day Outlook as of 5/27/25

Warmer temps with a little wet weather mid-week. Levels are down and water temps look good. Streamer fishing will be good as the week progresses. Hendricksons will emerge midday as water temps rise into the mid-50's and spinners will arrive early evening. Spinnerfalls will be good with evening air temps. Be ready to see some spinners in the late afternoon when air temps are best with some black caddis. Go to zip code 49684 for latest weather at your favorite weather site.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/27/25

Water temps are rising into the mid to upper 50's's and fish are feeding. Dry fly fishing is still the preferred method midday and early evenings. Nymphing and Euro techniques will still be a good choice as well. Streamer fish to start the day and be ready to change over to a floating line, 5x, and a Hendrickson emerger mid-afternoon if Hendricksons begin to emerge and some rising fish show up. Hendrickson activity will continue to develop as the week progresses. Spinnerfalls will arrive when winds calm down and air temps peak around 6pm.

Local Species Available Boardman River is now fully open.

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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):
Dark Hendrickson N/A #12-14
Lightning Bug pearl, silver #14-16
Gold Bead Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
Elk Wing Caddis black #16-18
Zebra nymph black #18
Mini D&D olive, white, black #6
Blue Wing Olive Parachute N/A #18
Bead Head Zug Bug N/A #14-16
Lord's Extended Body Hendrickson N/A #12-14
Gartside Soft-hackle Streamer yellow, black, white #4-6

Dark Hendrickson

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Streamside Michigan's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boardman River

BOARDMAN RIVER FISHING IS NOW FULLY OPEN. 2025 All species fishing license is now required. https://www.mdnr-elicense.com The beautiful Boardman River, birthplace of the Adams fly, starts east and south of Traverse City and ends as it flows into the west arm of Grand Traverse Bay in Lake Michigan. Self-sustaining populations of rainbow, brown and brook trout inhabit all sections of the river, but have higher populations of brook trout in the uppermost sections. Favorite hatches include Hendricksons and black caddis in May, sulfurs, brown drakes and isonychia in June, with gray drakes and the famous hex hatch in late June and July. Late July and August terrestrial, trico, and baetis fishing rounds out the summer. Aggressive fall spawning browns chase large streamers and attracters in September as well. The upper Boardman River closes the end of September while the lower river below Sabin Dam remains open all year. In October, the lower river fills with Lake Michigan coho and Chinook salmon. The salmon run culminates in late October with a fall run of steelhead. Steelhead fishing continues all winter and peaks in March and April. These enormous 8 to 15 pound lake-run rainbow trout draw anglers from around the world. The easy gradient and sand and gravel bottom makes wading comfortable with numerous public access points. Both arms of Grand Traverse Bay have wadable flats that will host schools of spawning Great Lakes carp and smallmouth in months of May and June.

Nearest Airport:

Cherry Capital Traverse City (TVC)

Hatches:

Hendricksons (ephemerella subvaria) #12-14, Little Black Caddis #16, Baetis #18 when clouds and rain arrive midweek. Visit the STREAMSIDEORVIS.COM website for blogs, tips, photos... and more! Like us on Facebook too.

Best Time to Fish:

noon to 5pm

Best Stretch:

Robbins Bridge (Jack's Landing)

Best Access:

Cass Road Robbins Bridge