What are the fishing regulations on the Ford River, Michigan?

Ford River fishing regulations

The Ford River is designated Type 1, Type 2, Type 3 and Type 4 trout water over 104.5 of its 108.0 mapped miles. The season on Type 1 Designated water runs Last Saturday in April–September 30th. The creel limit there is 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15“ or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. 17.1 miles of it are named Blue Ribbon trout stream. The posted signs and the current digest are the authority, not this page.

Open Ford River on the map See Ford River on the live map → Every reach coloured by water temperature, with the public land and access points along it.

By designated reach

Type	Miles	Season	Creel
Type 1 Designated	38.0	Last Saturday in April–September 30th	5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15“ or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling.
Type 4 Non Designated	66.5	January 1st–December 31st	5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15“ or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling.

Gear and tackle

Type 1 Designated — Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used.
Type 4 Non Designated — Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used.

Minimum sizes

Brook trout: 7″
Brown trout: 8″
Rainbow trout / steelhead: 10″
Splake: 10″
Lake trout: 10″
Chinook salmon: 10″
Coho salmon: 10″
Pink salmon: 10″
Atlantic salmon: 10″

Type 1 Designated, 38.0 miles of this river.

Brook trout: 7″
Brown trout: 10″
Rainbow trout / steelhead: 10″
Splake: 10″
Lake trout: 10″
Chinook salmon: 10″
Coho salmon: 10″
Pink salmon: 10″
Atlantic salmon: 10″

Type 4 Non Designated, 66.5 miles of this river.

Blue Ribbon water

Stretch	From	To	Miles
Ford River	T43N, R30W, Sec 15	Henderson	17.1

Rules change every year and the posted signs are the authority, not this page. The full state tables, with the date they were read, are on Michigan fishing regulations.

More about Ford River

Ford River — live water temperature, regulations and access