Fishing in the Huron River, part of the Chain of Lakes

Where to fish?

The Huron River, part of the Lake Erie watershed and our Chain of Lakes, winds through the middle of Ann Arbor, and provides many fishing holes with quick access for casting or fly fishing. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks system allows fishing along the Huron River. You can catch smallmouth and largemouth bass upstream of Ann Arbor at Delhi, Dexter-Huron, and Hudson Mills. Skip's Canoe Livery (734)769-8686 at Delhi (3780 Delhi Ct, Ann Arbor, MI 48103-9467), You can rent a kayak or canoe and float downstream to fish anywhere on the river. The river between Dexter and Delhi is catch-and-release for smallmouth and largemouth bass and is my absolute favorite spot for fly fishing.  I also like to go to the abandoned Bell Rd Bridge (North of North Territorial, East of Dexter Pinckney) and wade in there, using chernobyls, mayflies, hex, depending on time of year, Huron River water levels, and water temperatures. Some of our other favorite fly fishing spots are at Hudson Mills where there are some rapids and structure (8801 N. Territorial Rd. Dexter, MI 48130), Delhi Metropark and Osborne Mill Preserve on the Huron River at East Delhi Road.  We want to try along the Arboretum near the University of Michigan (see video) Hospital this summer. The only place on the River we have caught walleye is at the Portage Dam.  How about you?  My son Kevin, who ties his own flies, wades with tennis shoes, I prefer waders.  He likes to tie woolly bugs; do you know when is the best time use woolly bugs? At Argo Park, (see map)  grab a paddle boat and fish for carp, and some channel catfish along the shore by the Argo Dam, just a 10-minute walk from the down town Ann Arbor.  Argo Canoe Livery has 2,3, or 4 hour trips and day camps enjoyed by 40,0000 people per summer; see  Argo video. You can go upstream from the Broadway bridges behind the DTE Argo substation, or downstream along a boardwalk toward Riverside Park. Further downstream (map) is Gallup Park, where Huron Parkway crosses the river across from Huron High School.  This is where the Huron River Fly Fishing Club and Trout Unlimited meet.  I have attended many fund raising dinners at Barton Hills (with videos) to support the latter.

Eating fish?

The DNRE site has a fish eating guide, which tells you to remove belly fat and other tips. There are still concerns of PCBs in fish from Barton Pond and Ford Lake, and of mercury in fish from all inland lakes. Look at restrictions for women and children.  We just catch and release but sometime if we use spinners, the hook cannot be retrieved without hurting the fish, so then we have a shore lunch.

Licensed to fish?

Those with valid Michigan driver's licenses, can pay for a fishing license online through the Michigan DNRE E-License system. An annual resident license is $15 (excluding trout and salmon), or $28 for all species. A youth license is also available for only $2 (voluntary conservation support). Kids 17 and older need a license. Check the DNRE site for regulations including seniors, vets and out-of-state permits

Fish reports?

The Michigan DNRE posts a Weekly Fishing Report with laws, programs, and State fishing seasonal updates.  Watch the bass catching video below to get you in the mood.

Catching fish?

Best Regards for our precious resources and here is to celebrating living in Michigan, land of 11,000 lakes! If you want any information on waterfront property, click here.