Chris Izworski’s daily Michigan trout report turns to the Presque Isle this morning, where the western Upper Peninsula’s most dramatic freestone river is running at 387 cubic feet per second with a water temperature holding steady at 47.3 degrees. The gauge reads 6.12 feet. For those of you considering the drive up to the Porcupine Mountains, this is worth paying attention to before you load the truck.
The Runoff Window: Still in It
May in the UP is a deceptive month. The calendar says spring hatches. The tourist boards show sunny photos of caddis and sulphurs on the water. But anyone who has fished these northern watersheds knows that late April and early May are runoff months, period. The snowpack that accumulated all winter is releasing itself down through the tributaries, and the Presque Isle is no exception. At 387 cfs, we’re in what most guides would call normal spring flow for this date, but “normal” for the Presque Isle in May is still runoff. This is a river that tumbles through gorges and waterfalls on its way to Lake Superior. It runs hard and cold this time of year.
The water temperature of 47.3 degrees tells part of the story. The trout are active, yes, but they’re still operating in that spring mode where they’re hunting the softer edges and the slower water. The main current in the deeper runs is still moving with real authority. If you’ve fished this river before, you know the character: freestone water that demands respect for the hydrology and the geology.
Why Today Is Fishable, But Not Optimal
The rating today is “Fishing Well,” which means the Presque Isle is worth the drive. This is not a blown-out day. You can wade. You can fish. But you need to understand what that means on this particular river in this particular season. The Blue-Winged Olives are emerging, and the Early Brown Stoneflies are active in the riffles. Both hatches favor overcast conditions and moderate temperatures, and May 10 is giving you neither sun nor warmth today. That’s actually in your favor.
The hatch window this evening runs from 7:50 pm through the 9:20 pm sunset. Sixteen hours of daylight means you can start early, work through the afternoon, and finish strong in the golden hour. If the olives are going to show themselves, that evening window in the upper reaches of the park is where you’ll find them. Bring 5X and 6X fluorocarbon tippet. A Parachute BWO in size 16 or an RS2 in 18 will cover most of what emerges. Fish them just subsurface if the hatch is heavy.
The Early Brown Stoneflies respond to swing-and-strip presentations in the faster water. A Hare’s Ear Nymph in size 12 worked through a riffle will connect you with fish that are keyed on nymph movement. If you want to skate a dry, an Elk Hair Caddis in brown, size 14, will draw strikes from aggressive fish in pocket water.
Access and the Road Ahead
The Porcupine Mountains State Park holds the best water, and access via US-2 is solid. This is a serious piece of river in serious country. The gorges are spectacular and unforgiving. Fish carefully, know your footing, and respect the water. Before you drive, check the current steelhead regulations for Lake Superior tributaries. The Presque Isle has both brook trout and steelhead, and the reg sheets change.
This is May, the best month on Michigan rivers when conditions cooperate. Today’s conditions are cooperating enough. The flow is normal for spring, the water temperature is livable for the trout, and the evening hatch window is long. It’s worth the gas to the UP and worth the time on the water.
For live gauge updates and flow forecasts, check michigantroutreport.com.