Free Resource · Updated 2026
The complete fly hatch chart for Michigan's world-class trout rivers. From the legendary Au Sable Holy Water and the famed Hex hatch to the Pere Marquette, Manistee, Muskegon tailwater, Jordan River, Pigeon River, Black River, Rifle River, Boardman River, and Betsie River — select your river below for peak hatch timing, fly pattern recommendations, and current month highlights for 2026.
Michigan Hatch Calendar — Quick Reference
Michigan Streams
Au Sable Holy Water · Pere Marquette
Michigan's crown jewels — catch-and-release-only sections with self-sustaining wild brown trout populations. The Au Sable's Holy Water between Grayling and Wakeley Bridge is ground zero for the Hex hatch. Both rivers receive intense pressure during prime hatches, so arrive early, read the water, and focus on technical presentation. These rivers reward patience and preparation more than any others in the state.
Muskegon River · Manistee River
Dam-regulated releases from Croton Dam (Muskegon) and Tippy Dam (Manistee) extend fishing seasons at both ends of the calendar. Cold tailwater flows keep Midges and BWOs active through winter and into late fall. Hex hatches are compressed but productive on both rivers in June. Caddis and PMD hatches run strong through summer. Check dam release schedules — rising generation signals dropping surface temps and slower hatch activity.
Jordan River · Pigeon River · Boardman · Betsie · Rifle
Groundwater-fed freestone streams in the northern Lower Peninsula run cold and clear, supporting excellent wild brook and brown trout populations. Lighter pressure than the Au Sable makes for a more remote experience. Hex, Caddis, and BWO hatches are the highlights. The Jordan River — Michigan's first designated Natural River — is particularly prized for its gin-clear water and wild fish.
The Why Behind the Chart
Hexagenia limbata
Michigan's signature hatch and one of the most famous in North American fly fishing. Enormous #4–6 mayflies emerge in the last half hour of light and spin well after dark on warm, calm June evenings — triggering explosive surface feeding from big brown trout that rarely show themselves during the day. The Au Sable's Holy Water is the epicenter, but the Pere Marquette, Manistee, and Muskegon also produce excellent Hex fishing. Arrive before dusk, listen for the rise rings in the dark, and bring a headlamp.
Recommended: #4–6 Hex Paradrake, Hex Wiggler, Michigan Spinner
Ephemerella subvaria
The first major dry fly hatch of the Michigan season and a signal that spring has truly arrived. Hendricksons hatch in the afternoon on sunny April days when water temps climb into the mid-40s°F. On the Au Sable and Pere Marquette, the hatch fires between 2–5pm and draws fish up that have been deep and inactive all winter. A Pheasant Tail nymph fished just before the hatch fires can be devastatingly effective — fish key on the emerging nymph before they switch to the surface dun.
Recommended: #12–14 Hendrickson Comparadun, Pheasant Tail Nymph
Hydropsyche sp.
Michigan's most consistent and widespread hatch — present on every river from May through August. Evening Caddis hatches on the Au Sable, Pere Marquette, and Manistee produce aggressive surface rises from trout that have been waiting all day for the bug to arrive. The naturals skitter across the surface on emergence, which means a slightly dragging fly often outfishes a perfect drift. Elk Hair Caddis in #14–16 is the workhorse; carry a soft hackle wet for fish holding just below the film.
Recommended: #14–16 Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Soft Hackle Wet
Ephemerella dorothea
Michigan's most reliable evening mayfly hatch through June and July, firing around dusk on most Lower Peninsula trout streams. On the Pere Marquette and Au Sable, dense Sulphur hatches create selective risers in the slow glides and tail-outs — fish that will refuse a pattern that's even one size off. Fish the dun pattern during the hatch, then switch to a spent Sulphur spinner as the rises slow to those sipping in the film after dark.
Recommended: #16–18 Sulphur Sparkle Dun, Sulphur Parachute, CDC Spinner
Ephoron leukon
A Michigan specialty that's one of the great spectacles in eastern fly fishing. White Flies emerge in massive numbers at dusk on the Au Sable in late July and August — the air can appear to snow with white flies on peak nights in mid-August. Trout feed in an absolute frenzy for a short, intense window. The hatch is so thick that attractor patterns can actually outfish exact imitations. Fishing often extends past dark, so bring your headlamp.
Recommended: #14–16 White Wulff, White Parachute, White Comparadun
Baetis sp.
Michigan's most versatile and season-extending hatch. BWOs fish in two windows — spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) — and are most active on overcast, drizzly, or cool days when other hatches struggle. On tailwaters like the Muskegon and Manistee, BWOs fish well even through winter low-light periods. When Michigan weather turns gray and cold, think small olive patterns — the fish will be looking up regardless of the season.
Recommended: #18–22 Sparkle Dun, RS2 Emerger, CDC Dun
Michigan's trout rivers are among the finest in the eastern United States, fed by cold groundwater springs and shaped by decades of conservation. The season begins with Midges and early Blue-Winged Olives as water temperatures rise in April, quickly followed by the iconic Hendrickson hatch — the most anticipated early-season dry fly event on rivers like the Au Sable and Pere Marquette. Brown Drake and Caddis hatches build through May and into June, setting the stage for the event every Michigan angler lives for.
The Hexagenia limbata hatch is Michigan fly fishing's crowning moment — enormous #4–6 mayflies that emerge in the last hour of light and spin well after dark on warm June and early July evenings. The Au Sable's famed Holy Water Hex hatch draws anglers from across the country for explosive surface action on fish that feed with abandon. The White Fly hatch on the Au Sable in late July and August is another Michigan specialty rarely seen elsewhere in the eastern United States.
Fall fishing extends well into October with Mahogany Duns, returning Blue-Winged Olives, and Trico spinner falls through September. The Muskegon and Manistee tailwaters keep fishing productive year-round. Use FlyFishFinder's flow alerts to know exactly when your river is running right.
See Live Michigan River Conditions →Common Questions
The Hexagenia limbata hatch — Michigan's most celebrated event — typically runs from mid-June through early July on the Au Sable. It fires in the last 30–45 minutes of light and continues well after dark. Peak nights are warm, calm evenings in late June when water temps hit 65–70°F. The Holy Water section between Grayling and Wakeley Bridge is the epicenter. Bring a headlamp and arrive well before dark to get positioned.
The Pere Marquette is a world-class catch-and-release river with excellent hatch diversity. In May, carry Hendrickson Comparaduns (#12–14) and Brown Drake Paradrakes (#10–12). June is all about Hex (#4–6 Paradrake) and Caddis (Elk Hair #14–16). Summer brings Hoppers (#10) and PMDs (#16–18). Fall fishing is excellent with Mahogany Duns (#12–14) and BWOs (#18–22).
The Muskegon is a tailwater below Croton Dam, giving it year-round cold temperatures and extended hatch seasons at both ends. Midges and BWOs fish through winter. The Hex hatch is compressed but productive in June. Summer Caddis and PMD hatches are strong. The tailwater character means flows are more predictable than freestone streams — check the dam release schedule before you go.
The White Fly (Ephoron leukon) is a late summer Michigan specialty that hatches in massive numbers at dusk in late July and August on the Au Sable and a handful of other Michigan rivers. The air can appear to snow with white flies on peak evenings. Trout feed in a frenzy during the short, intense window. Bring a white Wulff or White Parachute in #14–16 and a headlamp — the best fishing often continues after dark.
June is the peak month for Michigan trout fishing — the Hex hatch, Caddis, and Brown Drakes overlap for an extraordinary stretch of evening dry fly action. May brings the Hendrickson and early hatches. Late July and August offer White Fly and Trico morning spinner falls. Fall (September–October) produces excellent Mahogany Dun and BWO fishing with fewer crowds.
Yes. The Jordan River and Pigeon River are small, cold spring-fed freestone streams in the northern Lower Peninsula. They run clearer and colder than the Au Sable and have excellent wild brook trout populations. Hatch diversity is similar — Hex, Caddis, BWO — but the intimate character requires lighter tackle and stealthier approaches. They're less pressured than the Holy Water and offer a more wilderness fly fishing experience.
FlyFishFinder combines hatch knowledge with live gauge alerts, Prime condition indicators, and real angler intel — so you show up on the right day, not the wrong one.
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