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Fishing Sturgeon River (UP): what the data says
Wild canyon river out of the Sturgeon Gorge down to Portage Lake. The river tops out around 7 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Rainbow Trout fishing at Sturgeon River (UP)
Start shallow in spring: rainbow trout sit in 2 to 7 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 7 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 10.5), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. Tie on a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Walleye fishing at Sturgeon River (UP)
In spring, walleye run shallow here, mostly 2 to 7 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 7 ft. Pickett Dam tailrace is the standout, a dam tailrace at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Best bite is the evening and early morning. Tie on a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 7 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Brook Trout fishing at Sturgeon River (UP)
In spring, brook trout run shallow here, mostly 1 to 7 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 7 ft, and winter fish hold in 1 to 7 ft. The spot to know is Current seam (mile 10.5), a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for brook trout in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening. A small spoon fished deep or a trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Small inline spinner (gold), Tiny spoon |
| Summer | 2 to 7 ft | dawn & dusk | Small spoon fished deep, Trolled lake-clear wobbler + worm |
| Fall | 1 to 7 ft | midday & dawn | Small spoon (orange), Spinner |
| Winter | 1 to 7 ft | dawn | Small jigging spoon, Tungsten jig + plastic |
Notable structure
- Pickett Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 6 ft
- Otter Lake Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 37.8): current seam, around 6 ft
- Current seam (mile 36.6): current seam, around 6 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 39.0): eddy pocket, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 0.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 3.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 8.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 18.3): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 20.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 22.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.1): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 30.4): creek channel, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Sturgeon River (UP)?
Sturgeon River (UP) is about 7 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Sturgeon River (UP)?
Anglers target walleye, rainbow trout, brook trout on Sturgeon River (UP).
Where is the best fishing spot on Sturgeon River (UP)?
Current seam (mile 10.5) is the top-rated area: a current seam in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Sturgeon River (UP)?
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Otter Lake · Prickett Lake · Big Lake · Gerald, Lake · Roland, Lake · Worm Lake
See how Sturgeon River (UP) stacks up: best walleye lakes in Michigan · best rainbow trout lakes in Michigan · best brook trout lakes in Michigan
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