Michigan’s trout rivers are telling a split story this week. The Upper Peninsula is running high on its western rivers while the east dries out. The Northern Lower Peninsula sits mostly stable with a couple of outlier lows. It is a week of regional selectivity, not a state-wide condition. The pattern rewards anglers willing to chase specific water rather than fish their home river by habit. July is terrestrial season, which means hoppers, ants, and beetles will work wherever the water is cool enough and high enough to hold fish. That coolness is there in pockets. The height is mixed. Plan accordingly.

Upper Peninsula: West High, East Collapsing

The western UP is running noticeably elevated. The Silver River sits at 164 percent of median flow, the Tahquamenon at 159 percent, and the Michigamme at 131 percent. These are solid summer levels that will keep trout from seeking refuge in deep holes during the heat of afternoon. Fish will move shallower and cover more water. Terrestrial patterns will work throughout the day, not just at dawn and dusk. Water temperatures in this region remain fishable, with the East Branch Salmon Trout River holding the coldest gauge reading in the state at 55 degrees.

The eastern UP tells a different story. The Presque Isle River has collapsed to 33 percent of median and is running warm at 71 degrees, tying the warmest temperature reading in the entire state. The Cedar River is at 49 percent of median. The Black River in Schoolcraft County sits at 67 percent. These are marginal conditions even for July. Fish will be in the deep pools, inactive during daylight, feeding only during the cool windows of early morning and late evening. The Sturgeon River in the UP and the Iron River offer middle ground at 88 percent, borderline for afternoon fishing but worth a try if you are anchored in that part of the state.

Recommendation for UP anglers: drive west. The Silver River and Tahquamenon are in prime condition right now. Skip the Presque Isle and Cedar unless you are willing to fish them strictly as dawn and dusk propositions.

Northern Lower Peninsula: Major Rivers Stable, Creeks Struggling

The Northern Lower Peninsula’s flagship rivers are holding steady. The Manistee River is at 128 percent of median and running at 58 degrees, the coldest reading in the Lower Peninsula. The AuSable River is at 113 percent. The Pere Marquette is at 102 percent. The Muskegon River is at 97 percent. The Jordan River is at 111 percent. The Sturgeon River in the NLP is at 126 percent. These are all fishable flows for the season. None are blown out. All can hold active fish through midday if you find the right shade and current breaks.

The problem exists in the smaller water. The Maple River is at 20 percent of median. The Pine River in Mid-Michigan is at 18 percent. The Little Muskegon is at 43 percent. The Wolf Creek is at 55 percent. The Rogue River is at 69 percent. Augusta Creek is at 63 percent. These are creek conditions, not river conditions. They will be warm and slow. Any fish in them will be concentrated in the coldest holes, and numbers will be low.

The Pigeon River stands out at 134 percent, running higher than the regional mean and worth noting if you fish that drainage. Overall, temperatures across the NLP are reasonable, ranging from 58 degrees on the Manistee to 71 degrees on the Muskegon.

Recommendation for NLP anglers: stick with the major rivers. The Manistee is cold and stable. The AuSable is fishing well. Skip the small creeks entirely.

Southern Lower Peninsula: No Gauge Data

Southern Michigan’s trout rivers currently have no active flow gauges reporting to the network. This means no real-time data to guide your decisions. If you fish the south, you will be working without the advantage of the data that helps northern and UP anglers plan their week. Visit individual river websites and local fly shops for current conditions before committing to a trip.

Where I Would Go This Week

The Manistee River. It is cold, it is stable at 128 percent of median, and it is one of the few major rivers in the state that offers both good flow and good temperature right now. July fishing on the Manistee should favor terrestrial patterns. Fish early, fish late, and plan for afternoon doldrums. The Tahquamenon River in the UP would be my second choice if you are willing to drive: 159 percent of median flow with reasonable temperatures means better fish movement throughout the day than you will find in most of Michigan right now.

For detailed flows, temperatures, and trends on all 62 gauged rivers, visit https://michigantroutreport.com.