Fishing Season: Boardman is closed upstream of Beitner Rd. Special regs apply.

Boardman River - MI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Streamside Michigan's Tip of the Week

THE BOARDMAN RIVER IS CLOSED TO FISHING OCTOBER 1, 2026 UPSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE ROAD UNTIL THE LAST SATURDAY IN APRIL 2027. CHECK MICHIGAN FISHING REGULATIONS FOR WATER DOWNSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE ROAD. 2026 All species fishing license will be required April 1, 2026. https://www.mdnr-elicense.com FOR SPECIFIC SEASON RESTRICTIONS, KILL AND SIZE LIMITS, GO TO: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/laws/regulations Pick your favorite time to fish. With warm Fall days and a little rain early in the week, streamer fishing mornings, and afternoon baetis and attractor fishing continues.

Directions open in app

Map of Boardman River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Hawkins Outfitters,
Streamside Orvis

5-Day Outlook as of 10/12/26

A warm start to the week with some overnight thundershowers. Cooler temps as the week progresses. River levels are down near normal after last week's rain. Early Fall season water temps is encouraging streamer fishing and some rain early in the week will help the streamer bite. Rubber legged patterns and attractors will fool some fish under bright skies. Water temps will remain in the 50's. Go to zip code 49684 for latest weather at your favorite weather site.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/12/26

Streamer fishing is improving after last week's rain and cooler water temps. Too early for spawners though with water temps in the upper 50's. Hopper/attractor fishing in the sunshine, beetles in the shaded swampy sections, and rubber-legged patterns with ant droppers will move fish this week. Add a small pheasant tail flashback dropper below your hopper. Rain early in the week will help bring baetis emergences to the surface. Overcast, rainy days will improve the streamer fishing.

Local Species Available Boardman is closed upstream of Beitner Rd. Special regs apply.

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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):
Dave’s Oh-So-Iso N/A #12
Adam’s Purple Parachute N/A #14
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper tan #12
Bead Head American Pheasant Tail N/A #18
Perfect Wing Spinner rusty #18-20
Patriot N/A #14
Betsie Special N/A #10
Ron's Yellow Skunk N/A #10
Gartside Hopper gray #10

Dave’s Oh-So-Iso

Dave's Oh-So-Iso pattern is the ultimate Iso imitation.

4.49

Item #26X9

Buy Now

Streamside Michigan's Recommended Gear

Description: About Boardman River

THE BOARDMAN RIVER IS CLOSED UPSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE ROADS BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2026. CHECK THE DNR SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR WATER DOWNSTREAM OF BEITNER/KEYSTONE TO THE MOUTH. ****2026 All species fishing license will be required April 1, 2026. 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:

Still some grasshoppers, beetles, ants with early week warm temps. Baetis #18-20 when cloudy or rainy. Visit the STREAMSIDEORVIS.COM website for blogs, tips, photos... and more! Like us on Facebook too.

Best Time to Fish:

1pm-6pm

Best Stretch:

Brown Bridge Quiet Area to Garfield

Best Access:

Brown Bridge Canoe Launch