Pere Marquette River
Baldwin to Walhalla
Baldwin, Michigan
Open live forecast →Target species: Steelhead, Chinook, Coho, and Brown.
Stream gauge: 04122500. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 06/05/26
The Pere Marquette is running at 634 cfs — ideal summer flows for brown trout fishing. With water temps in the mid-50s and warming air, we're entering prime evening hatch time. Sulphurs and Gray Drakes are the main attraction through mid-June, with the massive Hex hatch building toward late month. Focus afternoon efforts on deeper runs and pools, then shift to evening dry fly action as hatches intensify around 7-8pm. The river's wild character demands careful wading, but rewards with some of Michigan's finest wild browns.
- Flow: 634 cfs — perfect summer level for wade fishing. Deep pools accessible but manageable current in most runs.
- Hatches: Sulphurs and Gray Drakes active evenings. Building toward the legendary Hex emergence later in month. Size #16 Sulphur Sparkle Duns working.
- Water Temp: Mid-50s — ideal for brown trout activity. Cool spring-fed water keeps fish comfortable even as air temps climb toward 80°F.
- Best Window: Afternoons for nymphing deep holes, then evening dry fly action 7-9pm as hatches peak with dropping light.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Spring Creek
- Best months: Mar–May (steelhead); June–Oct (resident trout)
The Pere Marquette is Michigan's premier steelhead river and a world-class trout stream in its own right. Designated National Wild and Scenic in 1978, the PM flows through old-growth forest with remarkable clarity and cold spring-fed character. Winter and spring steelhead runs are legendary, and summer and fall resident browns provide excellent dry fly fishing in the catch-and-release section.
The PM's spring steelhead arrive with March snowmelt and can exceed 15 lbs — fish the lower sections with large egg and streamer patterns during peak run timing.
Recommended Flies — Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
The Pere Marquette is Michigan's most celebrated steelhead river — a National Wild and Scenic River known for exceptional wild fish, abundant cedar-lined water, and a rich tradition of fly fishing. Wild and hatchery steelhead enter September through April.
Productive Patterns
- PM Special #4–8
- Spey Fly #4–8
- Egg Pattern #4–8
- Skunk Wet Fly #4–8
Technique
The PM's designated fly fishing only stretch above Walhalla is the most prized section. Swinging flies through runs with a spey or two-handed rod is the traditional approach. The PM's fish can be spooky in the clear water — approach carefully.
Seasonal Notes
Lake Michigan fish entering the PM are known for their size and fight. Spring fish in March–April are the most sought-after for their bright condition. Egg and stonefly nymph patterns dead-drifted through runs and slots.
January Outlook
January winter steelhead on the Pere Marquette. The PM is one of Michigan's finest winter steelhead rivers — wild and scenic designation means excellent habitat and quality fish.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Nymph
- Streamer
- Soft Hackle
Tips
Winter steelhead on the PM require reading the log jams and deep bends. The section from Baldwin to Walhalla holds fish throughout the winter. Guide services are strongly recommended — the PM's wild character makes solo navigation challenging.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 38–44°F. Wild river character. Winter steelhead available. Challenging wading — hire a guide.
February Outlook
February is peak winter steelhead season on the Pere Marquette. Fresh fish from Lake Michigan provide excellent chrome fishing.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Stonefly Nymph
- Woolly Bugger
- Soft Hackle
Tips
February PM steelhead are fresh from Lake Michigan and extremely powerful. The log jams and deep bends between Baldwin and Walhalla are classic holding lies. Multiple guide operations work this section — local knowledge is essential.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 38–44°F. Peak winter steelhead season on this wild Michigan river.
March Outlook
The Pere Marquette in Michigan is a nationally designated wild and scenic river famous for steelhead runs. Spring steelhead peak in March and April.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Stonefly Nymph
- Soft Hackle Wet
- Streamer
Tips
The PM's spring steelhead run is one of the Midwest's best. The section from Baldwin to Walhalla is the most productive. Nymph fishing is effective as fish hold in the deeper runs.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 40–48°F. Wild river character with log jams and deep bends — classic Michigan river.
April Outlook
Spring steelhead peak on the Pere Marquette. The run continues through April with good numbers of fish throughout the wild and scenic section.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Stonefly Nymph
- Streamer
- Soft Hackle
Tips
April is the final month of the prime steelhead run on the PM. Fish are moving up from the lower river sections. The section from Branch to Walhalla produces excellent action. Local PM guide operations are fully booked — reserve well ahead.
Water Notes
500–1,500 cfs. Water 42–50°F. Steelhead run tapering but still excellent. Spring flows building.
May Outlook
Post-steelhead season on the Pere Marquette. Resident brown trout become active as the Caddis and PMD hatches begin on this wild Michigan river.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD Sparkle Dun
- Soft Hackle
- Hendrickson Nymph
Tips
May on the PM is a delightful transition from the steelhead crowds to quality resident brown trout fishing. The wild and scenic section is beautiful in spring. Caddis hatches begin in late May.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Resident trout season beginning as steelhead run ends.
June Outlook
Excellent brown trout fishing on the Pere Marquette after the steelhead season. The river's wild and scenic designation protects superb habitat.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- PMD
- Stimulator
- Soft Hackle
Tips
The Pere Marquette's wild character makes it one of Michigan's finest brown trout rivers. Wading is challenging due to deep holes and fast water. Local guide services are very helpful.
Water Notes
300–800 cfs. Water 50–58°F. Cold spring-fed river. Excellent summer trout fishing.
July Outlook
Summer brown trout season on the PM. Terrestrials and Caddis produce fish in the evening hours. The river's wild character means fish are not heavily pressured.
Productive Patterns
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Hopper
- Parachute Ant
- Royal Wulff
Tips
The PM's evening Caddis and terrestrial fishing is excellent in July. The log jam sections hold the largest brown trout. A guide float trip allows efficient access to the best summer holding water.
Water Notes
250–700 cfs. Water 56–64°F. Summer low water on the wild river. Fish evenings.
August Outlook
August terrestrials and evening Caddis on the Pere Marquette. The wild and scenic designation keeps pressure lower than comparable rivers.
Productive Patterns
- Hopper
- Elk Hair Caddis
- Parachute Adams
- Beetle
Tips
August on the PM is excellent for those willing to wade the challenging wild river sections. The resident brown trout are fat from a summer of feeding and are less pressured than on more accessible rivers.
Water Notes
200–600 cfs. Water 58–65°F. Summer low water. PM's wild character limits access and pressure. Fish evening hatches.
September Outlook
Fall Chinook salmon run on the Pere Marquette beginning in September. One of the Midwest's most spectacular fall fishing events.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Flesh Fly
- Pink Worm
- Large Nymph
Tips
The PM's fall Chinook run draws anglers from across the country. The salmon run the river from September through November. Nymph fishing with egg patterns is the most productive approach.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 48–56°F. Salmon peak in late September through October.
October Outlook
Peak Chinook and Coho salmon season on the Pere Marquette. October is the PM's most-visited month. Brown trout also become aggressive behind the salmon.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Flesh Fly
- Coho Streamer
- Soft Hackle Egg
Tips
October on the PM is crowded but the fishing can be spectacular. The salmon run the wild river sections to spawning gravel. Brown trout follow and feed aggressively. The lower river below Walhalla produces the most consistent salmon numbers.
Water Notes
500–1,500 cfs. Water 46–54°F. Peak fall salmon season. Book accommodations well in advance.
November Outlook
November on the Pere Marquette with late salmon and early steelhead. The transition month between fall salmon and winter steelhead seasons.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Streamer
- Soft Hackle
- Woolly Bugger
Tips
November PM fishing includes late coho and the first winter steelhead entering from Lake Michigan. Post-spawn brown trout are feeding aggressively. The river is less crowded after the October salmon peak.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 42–50°F. Transition between salmon and steelhead seasons.
December Outlook
December winter steelhead on the Pere Marquette. Fresh chrome fish from Lake Michigan begin filling the classic wild river holds for the winter season.
Productive Patterns
- Egg Pattern
- Nymph
- Streamer
- Soft Hackle
Tips
December PM steelhead are fresh from Lake Michigan and in prime condition. The wild section from Branch to Walhalla holds fish. Guide service strongly recommended for safe and productive navigation of the log jam sections.
Water Notes
400–1,200 cfs. Water 38–44°F. Winter steelhead season beginning. Wild and scenic river character.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria |
May | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Black Caddis Chimarra atterrima |
May | Apr, May | #16–18 |
|
| Sulphur Ephemerella dorothea / E. invaria |
Jun | May, Jun, Jul | #14–18 |
|
| Gray Drake Siphlonurus quebecensis |
Jun | May, Jun | #10–12 |
|
| Brown Drake Ephemera simulans |
Jun | May, Jun | #8–10 |
|
| Hexagenia Hexagenia limbata |
Jun | Jun, Jul | #4–8 |
|
| Isonychia Isonychia bicolor |
Jul, Sep | Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #10–12 |
|
| Trico Tricorythodes spp. |
Aug | Jul, Aug, Sep | #22–24 |
|
Access & Approach
Baldwin, MI. National Forest and BLM land along much of the river. Fly fishing only on the designated sections. Baldwin Creek Fly Shop and Pere Marquette River Lodge are excellent resources.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Baldwin Bait & Tackle
- Trails To Trout
- Nomad Anglers
Regulations & License
Fishing in Michigan requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Michigan fishing regulations & license →
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About Current
Pere Marquette River conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
Pere Marquette River is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
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