Fishing Season: The Boardman is now closeD upstream of Beitner/Keystone. Fishing is open downstream of Keystone.

Boardman River - MI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

46

Streamside Michigan's Tip of the Week

THE BOARDMAN RIVER IS NOW CLOSED TO FISHING UPSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE ROADS. https://www.mdnr-elicense.com 2023 All Species Fishing License is required through March, 2025. Fishing upstream of Beitner/Keystone Roads is now closed. A mix of sun and rain this week with temps rising in to the 50's and 60's. Levels though are dropping to near normal levels and water is clearing. Water temps have also risen with sunshine and above freezing temps over the past weekend. Look for silt beds and fish below them as warming sunshine will push warm water off these beds and small baitfish and large predators looking for them will look to ambush them. Don't forget that September 30 was the last day of fishing upstream of Beitner/Keystone Roads. Fishing will remain open downstream of Beitner/Keystone Roads.

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 4/14/25

Warmer, sunnier, with a little wet weather this week. Levels have come down and temps are good. Streamer fishing will be good as the week progresses. Go to zip code 49684 for latest weather at your favorite weather site. Remember that fishing season ended Monday, September 30 upstream of Beitner/Keystone Roads. Fishing season will reopen in the upper river April 26, 2025.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/14/25

Levels are now near normal. Water temps are rising into the 40's and fish will begin metabolizing, Boardman and Grand Traverse Bay tribs will be attracting steelhead as heavy flows dump into the Bay from last week's rain. Warmer temps in the 50's and 60's for the week will help water temps and make streamer fishing the preferred method after levels drop and water clears. Nymphing and Euro techniques will still be a good choice as well.

Local Species Available The Boardman is now closeD upstream of Beitner/Keystone. Fishing is open downstream of Keystone.

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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):
Hot Head Euro Pheasant Tail N/A #16
Lightning Bug pearl, silver #14-16
Gold Bead Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #14
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer N/A #4-6
Zebra nymph black #18
Mini D&D olive, white, black #6
Lynch's Double D Streamer N/A #4
Bead Head Zug Bug N/A #14-16
Perdigon nymphs N/A #16
Gartside Soft-hackle Streamer yellow, black, white #4-6

Hot Head Euro Pheasant Tail

These attention getting fluorescent bead head nymphs will turn tails in fast water.

2.99

Item #7T55

Buy Now

Streamside Michigan's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boardman River

BOARDMAN RIVER FISHING IS NOW CLOSED UPSTREAM OF BEITNER RD. AND KEYSTONE LANDING. Special fishing regulations wil take effect downstream of Beitner/Keystone Roads October 1, 2024. Check Michigan DNR fishing regs. 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:

Some tiny black stoneflies when sunshine arrives and temps increase a little. 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