Official rules first
Fishing rules can change and can differ by river section.
Check the current official Michigan regulations before you go. River & Ridge may summarize section-specific rules from current official sources when the exact reach, source date, and material limits are stated; the official regulation always controls.
Use the rule summary, trout map, and legal order together.
The State of Michigan says the 2026 regulations are in effect through March 31, 2027. Fisheries Order FO-200.25 provides the controlling section-level legal description; the official trout map helps locate the reach. Current official rules and closures control.
Before fishing a section
Verify these four things.
- The exact section boundary and whether the water is open.
- The legal tackle and rig restrictions for that section.
- Size, possession, and catch-and-release requirements.
- Legal public access, parking, and any current closure.
Official sources checked August 3, 2026. The 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations remain effective through March 31, 2027. Use the current regulations with the Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations map and Fisheries Orders, and recheck before each trip or after a DNR update.
Why section details matter
The same river can have different rules in different places.
Match the rule to the exact section before choosing a rig or keeping a fish. Use the current official regulations, Inland Trout and Salmon Regulations map, and Fisheries Orders together for the boundary, season, legal tackle, limits, and controlling legal description.
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