A modest Lake Huron tributary with a loyal following for its fall salmon and spring steelhead — small, accessible water that fishes well for the angler who times a flow bump and gets there on the drop.
- Sand gravel
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence in this read
Live now
Conditions on the water
Trends shown where the gauge supports them
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
13.3°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
28°C
Wind
S 15 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1024 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Rain · ahead
14.0 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
How to fish · for steelhead
The brief
When · where · method · kit
How to fish it · for steelhead
When
Salmon Sep–Oct; steelhead Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr
Where
A modest Lake Huron tributary with a loyal following for its fall salmon and spring steelhead — small, accessible water that fishes well for the angler who…
Why this works
Excellent — water clarity is right today, though insect activity could be better.
Hatches & runs
What's on, when
Twelve months at a glance
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Today's fly · curated pack
Top pattern + the box
5 patterns from this venue's curated pack
Local fly shopsGates Au Sable Lodge
Detail · next 12h
Water temperature & rain
The two readings most likely to move the verdict
Water temperature for steelhead
Warm — slow13°C est.ideal 4–13°C
0°14°28°
Evidence
Why today scores what it does
6 factors, signed
- Temperature9328% weight
- Flow8022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time8013% weight
- Pressure757% weight
- Insect activity6412% weight
About this water
Rifle River, end to end
Field guide · contributor-editedRifle River · about
What this water is
Background · character · contributors
About this water
Rifle River · directions
How to get to the water
Directions
Rifle River · permits
Good to know
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Michigan licence; verify MI DNR reach rules
- Introduced, harvestable sport fishery.
Rifle River
Google Places
A modest Lake Huron tributary with a loyal following for its fall salmon and spring steelhead — small, accessible water that fishes well for the angler who times a flow bump and gets there on the drop.
Species
About as good as it gets
Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.
90% confidence in this read
Water temperature for steelhead
Warm — slow13°C est.ideal 4–13°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for steelhead
- Temperature9328% weight
- Flow8022% weight
- Clarity9518% weight
- Feeding Time8013% weight
- Pressure757% weight
- Insect activity6412% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
13.3°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
28°C
Wind
S 15 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1024 hPa
Rain · 24h
0.0 mm
No rain
Rain · ahead
14.0 mm
Moderate rain · next 48h
Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.
How to fish it · for steelhead
When
Salmon Sep–Oct; steelhead Oct–Nov and Mar–Apr
Where
A modest Lake Huron tributary with a loyal following for its fall salmon and spring steelhead — small, accessible water that fishes well for the angler who…
Why this works
Excellent — water clarity is right today, though insect activity could be better.
Local fly shopsGates Au Sable Lodge
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
GrannomHatch
2
2
Evening SedgeHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Western Green DrakeHatch
2
2
Flav (Small Western Green Drake)Hatch
2
3
2
Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.
Gallery · 1
Terrain map
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
- Michigan licence; verify MI DNR reach rules
- Introduced, harvestable sport fishery.
Directions
About this water
A modest Lake Huron tributary with a loyal following for its fall salmon and spring steelhead — small, accessible water that fishes well for the angler who times a flow bump and gets there on the drop.
- Sand gravel
Other water nearby · 1