Two other prime trout rivers flow north paralleling the Black, and they eventually join and enter Lake Huron as the Cheboygan River. The Pigeon River is only about 10 miles west of the Black and contains good numbers of all three species of trout. The rainbows are lake-run but some become resident trout. The best fishing on the Pigeon is found between Sturgeon Valley Road and M-68. Sturgeon Valley Road also crosses the upper Sturgeon River, and the river is classified as blue-ribbon trout water from here all the way to its juncture with Burt Lake. Browns predominate in the Sturgeon but there are brookies in its headwaters and juvenile steelhead throughout. Trowbridge Road crosses the river twice and parallels most of the best trout water, providing good access. The West Branch of the Sturgeon joins the mainstream just up from Wolverine and provides similar fishing. It can be more fishable when the water is high.

For more information on these northern Lake Huron tributaries and the Au Sable, contact the DNR at (989) 732-3541.

FOX RIVER

The Fox River starts northwest of Seney and not too far from Lake Superior but flows south to Lake Michigan. It is approximately paralleled by the East Branch of the Fox River and they join to become the Manistique River. Both branches of the Fox are loaded with brookies, but the East Branch might have the edge on size. While some sections can be waded, floating is the best way to fish these streams. Crawlers and minnows are popular but you can also catch these fish on bright streamers and spinners.

There are two other good brook trout streams near the Fox, the Two Hearted and the East Branch of the Tahquamenon. Both are to the east of the Fox. A good area to try on the Two Hearted is above and below High Bridge Road, while the prime reach on the East Branch of the Tahquamenon is the 20-mile stretch downstream from Strongs Corner. If you encounter high water, the Driggs River — a brookie-containing tributary of the Manistique River just west of the Fox — can save your trip.

More information on the Fox and Driggs rivers can be obtained at (906) 786-2351, while you should call the DNR at (906) 293-5131 to learn more about the Two Hearted and Tahquamenon rivers.

WESTERN U.P. STREAMS

Rather than describing just one of the finest trout streams in the western Upper Peninsula, we are going give you information on several.

The Ontonagon River is our largest Lake Superior tributary, and three of its branches offer fine trout fishing. Its Middle Branch has two sections of prime trout fishing, upstream between Watersmeet and the Gogebic County line, and from Bond Falls down to M-28. Brookies dominate but you will also find browns and rainbows in the upper section. Just 10 miles to the east, the East Branch of the Ontonagon offers especially good fishing for brookies along with some juvenile steelhead between Lower Dam Falls and Sparrow Rapids. The Jumbo River is a tributary of the East Branch and has a good brook trout population. More blue-ribbon trout water is found in the West Branch of the Sturgeon River from Sturgeon Falls down to M-38. The DNR number for these streams is (906) 353-6651.

There is a cluster of fine trout streams in western Iron County. The South Branch of the Paint River west of the town of Iron River has excellent fishing for browns and brookies throughout its length. Cooks Run is a tributary to the South Branch and has similar fishing. The reach of the South Branch below their confluence is especially good. The Iron River provides very good brook trout fishing, with the prime fishing just upstream from the town of Iron River. The Iron flows into the Brule River, and here you have chance at outsized browns and brookies, especially down from M-73.

Check with the DNR in Escanaba for more information on these streams at (906) 786-2351.

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Many of these streams have reaches with special regulations. It is important that you check the 2005 Michigan Inland Trout and Salmon Guide before you go fishing. Releasing some or all of your catch will ensure that we have good fishing for the rest of this season and the future.

Local chambers of commerce can help you find tackle shops, motels and other businesses. You can get their phone numbers by contacting the Michigan Chamber of Commerce at (517) 371-2100 or on the Web at www.michamber.com.

For current hatch status on any of the streams described in this article, you will find that the local fly shops are the best source for information.