How to go fish the Rifle River

The months we list for the Rifle River are April, May, June, September, October. August is outside that window, so this brief is written for September, the next month we list.

September

Reading the gauge…

Flies to tie — September

Midge (Chironomidae)#20-24
Zebra Midge

Access

Rifle Road near Lupton
44.399, -84.035parking
State Road at Selkirk
44.313, -84.069parking
USGS near Sterling
44.072, -84.020parking

Regs — check current rules before you go

Michigan DNR no longer maintains an active Blue Ribbon list; current rules are stream Types 1-4. Rifle River from Sage Lake Road (T23N, R3E, S22) downstream to Saginaw Bay: Type 3. Fishing and possession open all year. 15-inch minimum on brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, and salmon. Daily possession 5 trout and salmon combined, no more than 3 fish 15 inches or greater. Michigan fishing license required. Recreation Passport required at Rifle River Recreation Area. Verify the 2026 digest and Inland Trout and Salmon map.

Pack list

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.

Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Rifle River page →