Michigan
Au Sable River near Red Oak
Location Snapshot
Au Sable River near Red Oak is a northern Michigan trout reach in the river’s Holy Waters corridor, distinct from the downstream Mio and Oscoda fisheries. Brown trout are the primary supported target, with rainbow and brook trout adding a varied coldwater salmonid mix.
Current River Rating
Fair · 54
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Thursday, 11:00 AM–2:00 PM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 880 CFS
- Gage Height
- 3.28 ft
- Water Temperature
- 48.9 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 21, 2026, 1:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04136000 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
49°F
Feels like
45°F
Wind
5 mph E
Wind gust
9 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 9:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 10 PM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Wed 2 AM
Clear
Temp 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Wed 6 AM
Clear
Temp 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 10 AM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 2 PM
Clear
Temp 62°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Wed 6 PM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 34°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 18 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 64°F / Low 40°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Fog
High 65°F / Low 42°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Clear
High 64°F / Low 44°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Brown trout are in the mixed fishery on the Au Sable River near Red Oak, along with rainbow trout.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Au Sable River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Oscoda, Michigan
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Oscoda
Management Category
Inland fly-fishing trout river
Regulation Scope
Au Sable River near Red Oak.
Regulation Summary
Au Sable near Red Oak: MDNR inland trout and salmon stream rules for the Grayling–Mio mainstem. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, rainbow-trout, brook-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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