HEREAnnArbor
Ann Arbor MI
Fishing
Report
Live conditions, species status, solunar ratings, water body profiles, MDNR regulations, and community fishing coverage for Washtenaw lakes and rivers.
Bass: Hot Bite Crappie: Active Catfish: Active 9 Waters Profiled
First Look • Fishing Conditions
🌘
Waning Crescent
Illumination: 14%
52°F
42°F
9 mph
1010
as of 7:55 PM ET
Very Good — decreasing moon builds toward new moon peak. Dawn and dusk feeding surges expected.
Washtenaw • Southeast Michigan MI
Your Local Fishing Resource
HEREAnnArbor is your local source for fishing reports, conditions, and MDNR regulations across Washtenaw. Use the waters list to find lakes, rivers, and reservoirs near you, the regulations section for current limits, and the guides directory to book a trip.
Current Conditions • Ann Arbor Waters
Species Status
Largemouth Bass
HOT
Fall feeding frenzy. Bass are chasing shad and blueback herring. Crankbaits and swimbaits dominate.
Top BaitCrankbait, Swimbait, Jig
Depth10-20 ft structure
Smallmouth Bass
FAIR
River smallmouth in deeper holes and pools. Slower presentations required.
Top BaitTube Jig, Crawfish Pattern, Ned Rig
DepthShoal tail-outs, 3-12 ft
Crappie
FAIR
Summer or late fall. Fish are deeper — target 12-20 ft brush piles with tube jigs.
Top BaitSmall Tube Jig, Live Minnow, Slip Float
Depth12-20 ft brush
Catfish
FAIR
Winter catfish are catchable but slower. Concentrate in deepest lake holes and river pools.
Top BaitCut Shad, Chicken Liver, Prepared Stink Bait
DepthChannel edges, 10-30 ft
Bluegill / Bream
FAIR
Bluegill in slower mode. Small jigs under a float near dock pilings and woody structure.
Top BaitCricket, Worm, Small Jig (1/32 oz)
DepthSpawning: 1-4 ft. Non-spawn: dock edges 4-10 ft
Trout
ACTIVE
Trout active in stocked waters. Cold water temperatures keep fish feeding.
Top BaitPowerBait, Night Crawler, Inline Spinner
DepthStocked areas — designated lakes and streams
Species status is based on seasonal patterns and current conditions for Washtenaw waters. Always verify MDNR regulations for creel limits, size minimums, and any current advisories before heading out.
Report a Bite Update
First Look
Weather & Fishing Conditions
52F
Mostly Cloudy
Feels like 52°F
as of 7:55 PM ET
Wind
9 mph SW
Humidity
87%
Pressure
1010 hPa
Est. Water Temp
42°F
Moon
Waning Crescent
Sunrise / Sunset
7:13 am / 5:24 pm
Location
Ann Arbor, MI
On-the-Water Tips
- Falling barometric pressure activates feeding. Fish are on the move — work moving baits and cover water quickly.
Solunar Index
Fishing Conditions Dashboard
Air Temperature
52°F
Too Hot — Dawn/Dusk
Wind Speed
9 mph
Light Breeze
Barometric Pressure
1010 hPa
Falling — Feeding!
Moon Phase
🌘
Good
Extended Outlook
5-Day Fishing Forecast
TONIGHT
Light Rain Likely
47° / 37°
9 mph wind
FAIR
FRI
Chance Light Rain
48° / 33°
12 mph wind
FAIR
SAT
Partly Sunny
51° / 30°
12 mph wind
FAIR
SUN
Mostly Sunny
58° / 32°
11 mph wind
FAIR
MON
Sunny
60° / 41°
7 mph wind
GOOD
Lakes & Rivers
Water Body Profiles
9 fishing waters within Washtenaw — with species, access, tips, and restrictions.
Huron River
River
Angler Tip
Argo Pond
River impoundment
Angler Tip
Gallup Park Pond
Lagoon / park lake
Angler Tip
Geddes Pond
River impoundment
Angler Tip
Barton Pond
Reservoir / river impoundment
Angler Tip
Pickerel Lake
Inland lake
Angler Tip
Whitmore Lake
Inland lake
Angler Tip
Ford Lake
Reservoir
Angler Tip
Belleville Lake
Reservoir
Angler Tip
Did We Miss a Spot?
Know a Ann Arbor-area fishing lake, pond, or river stretch that should be on this list? Let us know.
Report a Fishing SpotLocal Experts
Field Guides
No Ann Arbor-area fishing guides are listed yet.
Guide Service or Charter Captain?
Get listed in the Field Guides section and reach active anglers across Washtenaw and the HERE City Network.
List Your Guide ServiceCommunity Reviews
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Community
Here We...
Reel Them In...
Big catches, personal bests, and tournament fish from Ann Arbor anglers.
Cast Them Cold...
Your favorite post-fishing spots. Where do you go when the rods are stowed?
Coverage
Fishing News HERE
Local — Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan
Local
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools below a hydroelectric dam in the western Upper Peninsula this summer, and whether it will keep happening. The fish were found below Victoria Dam in a channel
Nov 4, 2026
Local
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula for the first time, state invasive species officials said Monday. New Zealand mudsnails were collected in Bear Creek, a small coldwater stream that feeds
Nov 3, 2026
Local
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program can succeed in one lake and barely register in others. Biologists briefed the Natural Resources Commission in Marquette this week on parentage-based tagging, which matches DNA from
Oct 17, 2026
More at Outdoor Sports
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Tackle, Rods and Reels
Essential Gear HERE
Gear reviews and picks for the Ann Arbor angler — rods, reels, tackle, and kayaks tested for Southeast Michigan MI waters.
Gear Reviews — Tested for Southeast Michigan MI Waters
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MDNR Regulations
License requirements, bag limits, and size limits for Washtenaw waters. Always verify current regulations at michigan.gov.
MI Fishing Licenses
Bag & Size Limits — Ann Arbor Waters
Regulations shown are for general reference (checked 2026-10-16). Special rules apply on many individual lakes and rivers. Always verify current rules with Michigan Department of Natural Resources at michigan.gov before keeping fish.
Spawn Timing & Key Dates
Season Calendar
Apr 25, 2026
Trout opener; Lower Peninsula walleye & pike
Statewide trout opener and the inland Lower Peninsula walleye and northern pike openers (MDNR).
Apr 30, 2026
Brown trout stocked: Mill Creek
4,100 brown trout at Shield Rd. (MDNR stocking database).
May 23, 2026
Bass possession season opens
Most waters; Lake St. Clair and the St. Clair and Detroit rivers open June 20 (MDNR).
Jun 6, 2026
Muskellunge possession season opens
Statewide muskie possession opener (MDNR).
Jul 8, 2026
Walleye stocked: Portage & Whitmore lakes
42,857 (Portage) and 37,954 (Whitmore) walleye (MDNR stocking database).
Feb 14–15, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Jun 13–14, 2026
Free Fishing Weekend
Fishing licenses waived; all other rules apply (MDNR).
Spawn timing is approximate and based on typical Washtenaw water temperature patterns. Actual timing varies by year and water body. MDNR trout stocking schedules are published annually — visit michigan.gov for exact dates and stocking locations.
Questions and Answers
Fishing FAQ
Common questions about fishing in the Ann Arbor area, answered.
-
Yes. Anglers 17 and older need a Michigan fishing license to fish public waters; anglers under 17 may fish without one but must follow all fishing rules. Licenses are sold by the Michigan DNR (michigan.gov/dnr).
-
The Huron River is Ann Arbor's home water. The city lists a fishing pier/dock and a boat launch at Argo Park, where the Argo Cascades link Argo Pond with the river, and at Gallup Park, which sits on the Huron River and Geddes Pond. Elsewhere in Washtenaw County, MDNR stocked walleye in Portage Lake (42,857 fish) and Whitmore Lake (37,954 fish) on July 8, 2026. Before keeping fish from the Huron River, check Michigan's PFAS 'Do Not Eat Fish' advisory, which covers sections of the river in Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
-
Yes. The City of Ann Arbor runs two Huron River liveries: Argo Park Canoe Livery (1055 Longshore Dr., open May to October) and Gallup Park Livery (3000 Fuller Rd., April to October), both renting kayaks and canoes. For calm water, the city points paddlers to the 2-mile Argo Pond and 2.5-mile Gallup Pond; the Argo-to-Gallup river trip is about 3.7 miles and runs through the Argo Cascades. Both parks have boat launches if you bring your own kayak. Check the city livery pages for current hours.
-
Public access is easiest at the city's Argo and Gallup parks, which both have fishing docks and launches. MDNR's stocking database shows no Huron River plants in Washtenaw County from 2024 through 2026. The river is stocked upstream in Oakland County (rainbow and brown trout on March 30, 2026) and downstream at Rockwood in Wayne County (Michigan-strain rainbow trout on April 10, 2026). Before keeping fish from the Huron River, check Michigan's PFAS 'Do Not Eat Fish' advisory, which covers sections of the river in Oakland, Livingston, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
-
Not inside the city, according to MDNR's stocking database. The nearest recent trout stocking in Washtenaw County is Mill Creek at Shield Road, which received 4,100 brown trout on April 30, 2026; it was also stocked in 2024 and 2025. Michigan's trout possession season on most streams opens the last Saturday in April (April 25 in 2026).
FISHING NEWS NEAR ANN ARBOR MI
Fishing coverage from the 10 closest HERE cities.
Latest Ann Arbor Fishing News
DNR Launches 3-Year Study After 27 Lake Sturgeon Stranded
ONTONAGON, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has started a three-year effort to learn why 27 threatened lake sturgeon ended up cut off in shallow pools…
Invasive Mudsnails Turn Up in Southern Michigan
KENT COUNTY, Mich. — A tiny invasive snail that has spread through several of northern Michigan's best-known trout rivers has now been found in the southern half of…
DNR Uses DNA Tests to Gauge Walleye Stocking Success
MARQUETTE, Mich. — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is rolling genetic parentage tests into walleye stocking checks statewide after a Upper Peninsula pilot showed the multimillion-dollar program…
DNR Pike Rules Open Otsego Marsh, Lift Small-Fish Caps
LANSING, Mich. — Fresh DNR northern pike rules that took hold Oct. 15 reopen Otsego County marsh water year-round and let anglers keep more smaller pike on four…
