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Au Sable River (Oscoda) Fishing Guide

Michigan

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.

Part of the Au Sable River.

Photo: Sanibel sun via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Trip at a Glance

Anglers come to the Au Sable River (Oscoda) for steelhead, Chinook salmon, coho salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and landlocked salmon. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: steelhead is prime Apr; Chinook salmon is prime Oct; smallmouth bass is prime Aug; walleye is prime Jul; channel catfish is prime Jun, Aug.

There are 5 shops nearby, including Dean's Bait & Tackle in Moffatt Twp. Also nearby: Lake Huron (Alpena).

Season at a Glance

JFMAMJJASOND

Steelhead

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Channel Catfish

Landlocked Salmon

No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found

Legend

This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower Spawning No Agency Season Found

Agency: Michigan DNR: Steelhead; Smallmouth Bass; WalleyeCreel Survey: Michigan DNR (Chinook Salmon, Channel Catfish)How We Read ItSpawning: Michigan DNR: Steelhead; Smallmouth Bass; Walleye

Season Rules & Licenses

Michigan DNR trout and salmon rule for the Au Sable River from Foote Dam to Lake Huron, a Type 3 trout stream (2026): trout and salmon open all year; 5 a day, no more than 3 trout 15 inches or longer; minimum size 10 inches for rainbow trout (steelhead), lake trout and salmon, 15 inches for brook and brown trout. Closed to all fishing all year from Foote Dam to the downstream edge of the dam apron. 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.

Buy a License from Michigan DNR Michigan DNR Fishing Regulations

License Sellers Nearby

Roger's

5112 N US Highway 23, Oscoda (989) 569-6304

Wellman's Party & Bait

910 South State Street, Au Sable Charter Township (989) 739-2869

Haglunds LLC.

4494 N US Highway 23, Oscoda (989) 569-6200

The Dam Store

1879 W River Rd, Oscoda (989) 739-5652

Source: Michigan DNR's license agent list, Oct 2026. Call ahead.

Licensed Bait Dealers Nearby

Wellmans Party & Bait

910 S State St, Oscoda

Bay Party Store

718 E Bay St, East Tawas (989) 362-2332

Source: Michigan DNR's bait dealer list, May 2026.

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 · MichiganAu 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 · Michigan · You're HereAu 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 (Oscoda) Species

Steelhead

Prime: Apr

Spawning: Mar to Apr, per Michigan DNR

Catch by Month

Creel survey data, 2017 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)

View Species

Chinook Salmon

Prime: Oct

View Species

Coho Salmon

No agency season found.

View Species

Smallmouth Bass

Prime: Aug

Spawning: Mar to May, per Michigan DNR

Catch by Month

Creel survey data, 2017 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)

View Species

Walleye

Prime: Jul

Spawning: Mar to May, per Michigan DNR

View Species

Channel Catfish

Prime: Jun, Aug

View Species

Landlocked Salmon

No agency season found.

Catch by Month

Creel survey data, 2017 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)

View Species

Species per Michigan DNR: Steelhead; Chinook Salmon and Coho Salmon; Smallmouth Bass; Walleye; Channel Catfish; Landlocked Salmon. Catch by month from Michigan DNR creel survey data.

Images: Timothy Knepp, Michael Humling and Duane Raver, USFWS. Public domain.

What to Use

Fishing In

Fish

Steelhead

Prime: Apr

Fly

11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodEcho Swing Switch Rod · 11 ft 7 in 7 weight, or 11 ft 8 in 8 weightCheck Price
ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
LineScientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line · 8 wt.Check Price
LeaderRIO Fluorocarbon Tippet · not named by the setup textCheck Price

Tie On in November

Fly for November · #6-10Egg Pattern · Umpqua EggIndicator rig.Check Price
Fly for November · #2-1/0IntruderSwung on a sink tip.See Options
Fly for November · #4Egg-Sucking Leech · Umpqua Egg Sucking LeechCheck Price

Spin / Cast

8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.

Rod, Reel and Line

RodUgly Stik Elite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod · 8 ft 6 in medium, 8 to 14 lb, fast, 2 pieceCheck Price
ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · C3000Check Price
LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 8, 10 or 12 lbCheck Price

Tie On in November

Lure for November · 1/16 to 1/4 ozInline SpinnerSee Options
Lure for November · 1/32 to 3/8 ozMarabou Steelhead JigUnder a float.See Options
Bait for November · Single or clusterCured Salmon Eggs · Pautzke Balls O' Fire Salmon EggsWhere bait is legal.Check Price

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

Shops near Au Sable River (Oscoda):

Dean's Bait & Tackle, Moffatt TwpWebsite
Alexander's Bait & Tackle, SebewaingWebsite
Winter Wildlife Control Bait and Lure, HillmanWebsite

Map of Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Area around a representative access point; the river runs beyond it. View Larger Map © OpenStreetMap contributors

Fishing VideosWatch Au Sable River (Oscoda) Fishing Videos on YouTube

Planning for a Month

Prime in November

Nothing at its peak this month.

Daylight

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Moon

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Typical Weather

46°F high, 29°F low

About 2.5 in of precipitation for the month.

Typical Flow

1,338 cfs

Most years 1,068 cfs to 1,713 cfs.

Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 12 mi away; flow from USGS gauge 04137500, 1987 to 2025.

Also Worth Packing

Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.

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 Page

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 Page

Apparel

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 Page

Apparel

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 Page

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Ramps and Launches on Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Boat Ramp

Au Sable River Mouth

Tawas Point State Park

Directions

Source: Michigan DNR Boating Access Sites. Hours and fees change; check before you go.

Nearby Water

Photo: Jessica Kosiara/USFWS, Public domain

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan

Lake Huron (Alpena)

About 44 mi

Lake Huron waters at Alpena, where the DNR lists walleye in summer, lake trout from summer into fall, and Chinook and coho salmon in fall.

Walleye · Lake Trout · Chinook Salmon

View Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan

Eastern Saginaw Bay

Part of Saginaw Bay · About 45 mi

The east side of Saginaw Bay from Quanicassee to Sebewaing and Bay Port, where anglers troll the slot for walleye, fish for yellow perch, and catch largemouth bass near shore.

Largemouth Bass · Walleye · Yellow Perch

View Water

Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan

Lower Saginaw Bay

Part of Saginaw Bay · About 55 mi

The lower end of Saginaw Bay off Bay City and Linwood, where Michigan DNR reports walleye trolled around Callahan Reef and Spoils Island and yellow perch caught at the Spark Plug buoys.

Walleye · Yellow Perch · Channel Catfish

View Water

Au Sable River (Oscoda) Fishing Guide

Parts of the Au Sable River

Au Sable River (Oscoda) Species

Steelhead

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Channel Catfish

Landlocked Salmon

What to Use

Steelhead

Chinook Salmon

Coho Salmon

Smallmouth Bass

Walleye

Channel Catfish

Landlocked Salmon

Map of Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Planning for a Month

Also Worth Packing

Simms Freestone Stockingfoot Waders

Simms Freestone Wading Boots

Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer

Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt

Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net

Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer

Gamakatsu Circle Hooks

Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody

Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear

Simms Neoprene Wading Socks

Ramps and Launches on Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Au Sable River Mouth

Shops Near Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Guides and Charters Near Au Sable River (Oscoda)

Nearby Water

Lake Huron (Alpena)

Eastern Saginaw Bay

Lower Saginaw Bay