How to go fish the Pigeon River

• Blue-winged Olive (Baetis)#18-22

  Parachute BWO

• Caddis (Trichoptera)#16-18

  Elk Hair Caddis

• Pigeon Bridge State Forest Campground

  45.157, -84.465parking

• Pigeon River Country Headquarters

  45.170, -84.439parking

• Elk Hill Campground Horse Trail (GR upper bound)

  45.181, -84.424parking

• Pine Grove Campground stairs (GR lower bound)

  45.244, -84.447parking

Michigan DNR no longer maintains an active Blue Ribbon list; current rules are stream Types 1-4 plus Gear Restricted listings. Pigeon River (Cheboygan and Otsego Cos.): Type 2 from Old Vanderbilt Road downstream to Elk Hill Campground Horse Trail (T32N, R1W, S10; 45.1808, -84.4244). Gear Restricted from Elk Hill Horse Trail to Pine Grove Campground stairs (T33N, R1W, S17; 45.2440, -84.4467): fishing open all year; brook and brown possession last Saturday in April through September 30; rainbow open all year; artificial lures only; daily possession 2 trout, no more than 1 brown trout. Type 4 from Pine Grove stairs to East Mullett Road. Michigan fishing license required. Verify the 2026 digest and Inland Trout and Salmon map for the exact reach.

• A current state fishing licence
• Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
• Net, nippers, forceps
• Floatant and desiccant
• Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
• Water, sun cover, polarised glasses

Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.