Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders
Durable, breathable four-layer waders built as a daily driver for seasons of wading.
Pack It For: Aug to Jun
Check Price Maker's PageRivers & StreamsFly Fishing Only per Michigan DNR
Au Sable River (Grayling) Fishing Guide
Michigan
The Au Sable from Grayling through the flies-only Holy Water (Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge), with stream-bred brown and brook trout.
Part of the Au Sable River.
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to the Au Sable River (Grayling) for brown trout and brook trout. No agency season found for the species here.
There are 12 shops nearby (4 fly, 9 bait and tackle; some are both), including Old AuSable Fly Shop in Grayling. Also nearby: Little Traverse Bay.
Season at a Glance
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Brown Trout
Brook Trout
Legend
This Month Spawning No Agency Season Found
Spawning: Michigan DNR: Brown Trout; Brook Trout
Season Rules & Licenses
- Business Loop 75 (James St.) in Grayling down to Burton's Landing: open the last Saturday in April through Sept. 30. Michigan DNR 2026
- Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge: open all year, artificial flies only, no trout kept (children under 12 may keep 1). Michigan DNR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Michigan fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Parts of the Au Sable River
- Main PageAu Sable RiverA major Lake Huron tributary in northern lower Michigan, with stream-bred brown and brook trout in the flies-only Holy Water below Grayling and steelhead, salmon and walleye below Foote Dam at Oscoda.
- Rivers & Streams · Michigan · You're HereAu Sable River (Grayling)The Au Sable from Grayling through the flies-only Holy Water (Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge), with stream-bred brown and brook trout.
- Rivers & Streams · MichiganAu Sable River (Oscoda)The Au Sable from Foote Dam to Lake Huron at Oscoda, where Michigan DNR's weekly fishing reports list steelhead, Chinook, coho and Atlantic salmon, walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish caught from the pier and in the lower river.
Au Sable River (Grayling) Species
Species per Michigan DNR.
Images: Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Brown Trout
No agency season found
Fly
9 ft 5 or 6 wt rod, floating line for dries and nymphs, sink-tip with 0X to 2X for streamers.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodRedington Classic Trout Fly Rod · 9 ft 0 in, 5 weight, 4 pieceCheck Price
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 5 and 6 weightCheck Price
- LineRIO Gold Fly Line · 5wt or 6wt floatingCheck Price
- LeaderRIO Tapered Trout LeadersCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Fly for November · #4-8Sculpin StreamerLow light and fall.See Options
- Fly for November · #16-22Blue-Winged OliveSee Options
- Fly for November · #14-20Pheasant Tail NymphSee Options
Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Fly shops near Au Sable River (Grayling):
- Old AuSable Fly Shop, GraylingWebsite
- Boyne Outfitters, Boyne FallsWebsite
- Orvis Streamside, Traverse CityWebsite
Map of Au Sable River (Grayling)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
No agency season found for the species here.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
43°F high, 26°F low
About 2.6 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 6 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Waders & Boots
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
Supportive wading boots with determined traction for a full range of wading conditions, worn over waders or wading socks.
Pack It For: Year-round
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageSunglasses
Costa Polarized Fishing Sunglasses
Polarized lenses cut glare so you can see fish, structure, and flats.
Check PriceApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageWaders & Boots
Simms Neoprene Wading Socks
Worn inside wading boots in place of waders when the water is warm enough to wet wade.
Pack It For: Jul
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Ramps and Launches on Au Sable River (Grayling)
Source: Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.
Shops Near Au Sable River (Grayling)
Farther Out
Guides and Charters Near Au Sable River (Grayling)
Farther Out
Charter
Ultimate Charter Fishing
Elk Rapids, Michigan
Slip 23 at Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor 231-392-3062
Per their website: Lake Trout
Charter
Storm Hawk Sport Fishing Charters
Traverse City, Michigan
225 E Sixteenth St Ste B 231-590-4866
Per their website: Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Steelhead, Ice Fishing
Charter
Mega-Bite Fishing Charters
Traverse City, Michigan
Per their website: Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Steelhead, Ice Fishing
