Trout fishing on the Fox River

Both the East Branch of the Fox River above M-28 and the entire Main Stream pass through undeveloped state land and offer good fishing, wrote outdoors writer Tom Huggler. He mapped and described the Fox in Fish Michigan: 50 More Rivers.

DNRE senior fisheries biologist Jim Waybrant says Huggler's maps remain helpful. The best trout fishing, he says, is upstream from M-28, on the Main Branch and the East Branch, harder to paddle because of the woody structure and therefore less fished. No boats are allowed on the East Branch of the Fox north of Cold Creek "These are small streams, not open rivers, with more current," says Waybrant. "Both are mostly sand substrate. The abundance of large, woody in-stream structure supplies shelter for the trout and a food source due to surface colonization by aquatic insects and other invertebrates. Tag alders hang over the banks to interfere with fly fishing. The Main Branch [below the "spreads"] is considerably wider, so there is more room to fly fish. Even so, there is a good reason why the locals tend to use live bait more than artificials." Below M-28, downstream from the "spread" are some holes that harbor some nice fish," says fly fisherman Don Reed of the Fox River Motel. "A 21-inch trout was taken below M-28."

Tom Kenney of Northland Outfitters in Germfask (906-586-9801) says paddling the Fox is tougher and takes longer than you'd expect for a stream without fast whitewater. It's a two-day canoe trip from Seney to Germfask. There's a spreads section in the Main Branch that takes awhile. Tom is happy to advise prospective paddlers here and give them a map, whether or not they rent a canoe or kayak from him. Don Reed at the Fox River Motel in Seney gives free advice, too. Northland Outfitters and Big Cedar Campground canoe livery both offer "park and launch" for a nominal fee, and spotting, too.

What makes fishing so good in the Fox today? First, there are no steelhead and chinook salmon to compete with trout. Also, wrote Tom Huggler, "the system is constantly charged with an ample supply of groundwater, which provides for stable, year-round flow that rarely warms above 68°. The overall difficulty of access helps curb fishing pressure; and the DNR releases 6,000 yearling brook trout to the Main Stream to augment native reproduction."

Huggler wrote that the East Branch "has larger and bigger trout than the Main Stream"—largely because more of it is unreachable. Usually the water spreads out so much, it's hard to see the channel and easy to get lost."

After describing the river's various sections and passing along numerous tips, Huggler summarized, "The Fox River is a beautiful, pristine trout stream largely unchanged from the days of Hemingway's visit. But it is not an easy stream to either fly fish or canoe. Those with some skills at both pursuits, however, will be amply rewarded."

Return to Seney

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here