Michigan is probably best known for its Great Lakes, but don’t sleep on trout rivers like the Pere Marquette River.

The Pere Marquette River in Western Michigan might as well be called the “Great River,” as it runs through portions of Lake, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana counties, and drains some 740 square miles along the way. Nearby rivers include the Big and Little Manistee and Pine rivers.

The main stem of the Pere Marquette – named for French missionary a Great Lakes explorer Jacques Marquette – starts at the confluence of the Middle Branch and Little South Branch (“The Forks”) and flows more than 65 miles to Pere Marquette Lake south of Ludington.

The “PM,” as it’s known locally, has been designated a National Scenic River and Blue Ribbon trout stream, running through the pristine Huron Manistee National Forest.
Because much of the Pere Marquette also runs through private land, anglers are encouraged to check with fishing guides, local lodges and current rules and regulations to make sure they’re fishing legally. You can check regulations on the Pere Marquette and neighboring fisheries on the Michigan DNRE website: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/.
“It is as beautiful (a river) as you will find in this area of the country,” said Chris Raines, fishing guide for Pere Marquette River Lodge in Baldwin, Mich. (PMLodge.com, 231-745-3972).

“Wide expanses of gravel offer prime spawning grounds for the migratory fish (king and Coho salmon, steelhead and brown trout), as well as deep holes and pools for the resident trout (rainbow, brown and brook trout).

This unique piece of water also offers year-round action.”

Depending on the time of year and species you’re perusing, Raines says you can cover more than 90 miles of water.

“Certain times of year the water that borders our property will be loaded with steelhead or salmon,” he said. “Other times of the year you may be heading down to the mouth of the river to target these migratory fish as they first enter the river.

“Throughout the entire year we fish the top seven miles that have been designated ‘catch and release’ fly fishing only. I enjoy the diverse nature of the Pere Marquette and fish it top to bottom 12 months a year.”

Fly selection is also relative to the time of year and species targeted, although as a general rule of thumb Raines recommends keeping these seasonal flies in your PM box:

Spring – Bring your nymphing or swing rig: nuke egg and glo bug patterns in a variety of colors from dark orange to pale pinks mostly size 10-12s; black stone fly nymphs 10-12s; green caddis nymphs size 12; wiggle hex nymph size 8; fry patterns. “Also bring a handful of streamers as these can be deadly on the early season browns and aggressive steelhead,” he said. “Large white, chartreuse and black rabbit strip leaches.”

Summer – It’s dry fly season: Grey drakes/ISOs; Sulphers; Hexagina; Yellow sallies; ’hoppers; and asst. nymphs (hares ears, rubber legged stones and princes). “Don’t, and I mean DO NOT, forget a couple of mice,” he added, “for some real dicey night time battles with the largest trout in the river -- not for the faint of heart.”

Fall – Back to the nymphs: eggs, eggs and more eggs, size 8-10s...both nukes and glo-bugs streamers for the trout.

Winter – Nymphs and eggs (see above for size color and selection). But to get up-to-the minute advice and pattern recommendations, Raines encourages anglers to call or stop by the shop for the latest conditions on the PM, and it’s probably a good idea for newcomers to go the guide route if they want to identify runs and hatches their first time out.

“We have changing seasons and weather conditions that may have you throwing a 3-weight floating line to rising trout sipping tricos in the a.m. and then pitching a 9/10-weight rod at a 20-pound king salmon in the afternoon.”

Now if that’s not a sign of a “Great River,” I don’t know what is.