Pere Marquette

[ozark trout fisher]

I went up to Michigan last summer, and spent the majority of my fishing attention on the Pine River. Now it's an incredibly beautiful river that's also a fun, fairly difficult paddle, but the fishing was just really difficult. There were some trout in there for sure, but it's one of the more challenging streams that I've ever had the pleasure to fish. Anyway, while I enjoyed that I'm looking for something a bit different this time. So I'm working on the details to hopefully spend a few nights on the Pere Marquette and get the necessary permits to float it, before perhaps heading over to the Little Manistee and a few other waters I plan to fish nearer lake Michigan. Anyone ever been on the Pere Marquette? Given the season I just expect to be fishing for resident trout, as opposed to the salmon/steelhead that are in there at certain times of the year which is more than fine by me. Is it where I should spend the majority of my time up there or should I look elsewhere?

I did accumulate a couple of decent spots up there last summer not named the Pine River that I might be able to fall back on, but from everything I've heard the Pere Marquette is a pretty special stream worth checking out. Just curious if anyone has been on it and has an opinion.

[cnr]

The Pere Marquette is a pretty river and a popular destination. I haven't trout fished in it, only fished for Salmon and Steelhead. I would recommend talking to Steve or John at BBT (Baldwin Bait & Tackle) for information on the PM. You can check out their website www.fishbaldwin.com, it has a great active forum like we do here. If you are interested in going a little north back up by the Pine I would recommend the Hodenpyle, it's supposed to be very scenic. Talk to the guys at Schmidt outfitters for info on the Hodenpyle. Another few options would be the Betsie or Platte. Lots of water to float and fish in that area of Michigan. I have been Steelhead fishing up there every Spring since 1987 and have become very familiar with that region. Some day I intend to try out their Smallmouth fishing, it's kind of overlooked since everyone is after cold water species.

[Phil Lilley]

I met Jim Johnson, good friend and former owner of the Pere Marquette Lodge just south of Baldwin, in the mid 80's when I started fishing up there in the fall. I've made about a dozen trips up there but none since 2003. He showed me how to fish the river - and yes it's a great river no matter when you fish it. His cousin Steve owns BBT.

Jon Kestner (facebook https://www.facebook.com/kestnerflyfishing) is a good friend who guides on the PM. I've been reading that the hex and drakes will be coming off soon- that's some great fishing!! If you contact Jon, tell him I referred you. Here's his site - http://www.jonsguideservice.com/

David Roller is another guide in the area. He spoke at the St Louis FFF last month. His site - http://www.peremarquetteoutfitters.com/ Good information there too.

Hope you go... take lots of pics.

[ozark trout fisher]

Thanks a lot. I think I will go ahead and plan on going there. Will take lots of pictures!

[Gavin]

Dont know when your headed up...but the hex hatch will be happening soon...usually between Father's Day and Fourth of July...Big dry flies in the dark...lots of fun.

[ozark trout fisher]

Will probably miss that unfortunately. I'm headed up at the end of July-early August. I'd like to get up there for that sometime but it's not going to really be possible this year.

[Wayne SW/MO]

It's been many years for me, but it had a great brown population when I was there and I would think it still does. It's a lot swifter then our rivers.

[ozark trout fisher]

It's a lot swifter then our rivers.

Thanks. It can hardly be worse/better than the Pine though in that regard.....that river was definitely more challenging than anything I've paddled in the Ozarks, kind of like the Eleven Point except for there were about 10-11 Mary Deckar Rapids to the point where there wasn't much time to relax and fish. I was in a kayak and made it fine, but several in our party were in a canoe and they had a rough time of it.

We were hoping for at least a slightly calmer stream this time so we could spend more time fishing and less time trying to keep from flipping.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't remember any "rapids", but shoals with a reasonable amount of water over them. We were in a drift boat, but it looked like an easy run for canoes or yaks. It did seem to more suited to wading and fishing from shore using the boats for transport.

We fished from the highway south of Baldwin to a public access.

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't remember any "rapids", but shoals with a reasonable amount of water over them. We were in a drift boat, but it looked like an easy run for canoes or yaks. It did seem to more suited to wading and fishing from shore using the boats for transport.

We fished from the highway south of Baldwin to a public access.

Thanks thats helpful. We're thinking of fishing the same general area.