The Northwest Ohio area has a dearth of public cold water, but we are surrounded by excellent opportunities – from the Holy Waters of the Au Sable to the north and steelhead in the Lake Erie tribs to the east, we are blessed with incredible fishing opportunities and getting active with the Fallen Timbers Chapter is one of the best ways to meet passionate anglers eager to share their knowledge on where to go, how to improve your skills and what to use to find success fishing the rivers and streams we work together to restore.
Please keep an eye on the list below. We will be updating it over the next few weeks and months with fishing opportunities within driving distance of Northwest Ohio.
Au Sable River, Grayling MI
The Au Sable River near Grayling, Michigan, is a renowned destination for trout fishing, offering diverse opportunities across its Mainstream, South Branch, and North Branch. The Mainstream, particularly the “Holy Waters” section from Burton’s Landing to Wakeley Bridge, is a fly-fishing-only, catch-and-release area celebrated for its prolific hatches and abundant brown trout. This stretch features clear, cold waters with a mix of gravel and sand bottoms, providing ideal conditions for dry fly fishing. Anglers can expect to encounter various insect hatches, including mayflies and caddisflies, which contribute to the river’s reputation as a premier trout fishery .
The South Branch flows through the scenic Mason Tract, a protected area offering excellent access and solitude. This branch is known for its healthy populations of brook and brown trout, thriving in its cool, clear waters. The river’s structure, with its mix of riffles, pools, and woody debris, creates diverse habitats that support a variety of aquatic insects, leading to productive fishing throughout the season .
The North Branch, originating near Lovells, is characterized by its cold, spring-fed waters and is primarily a brook trout stream. This branch offers anglers a more secluded experience, with easy wading and numerous access points. Efforts are ongoing to enhance fish habitat and address concerns about trout populations in this area, ensuring its continued viability as a quality fishery .
Overall, the Au Sable River system near Grayling provides a rich and varied trout fishing experience, catering to both novice and experienced anglers seeking the tranquility and challenge of fly fishing in a pristine natural setting.
Apple Creek, Wooster Ohio
Apple Creek in Wooster, Ohio, offers a unique and accessible trout fishing experience, particularly within Grosjean Park. This urban fishery, developed through a partnership between the City of Wooster and the Clear Fork River Chapter of Trout Unlimited, has transformed a section of the creek into a catch-and-release haven for fly anglers. Since its inception, the stream has been stocked annually with rainbow and brown trout averaging 12–15 inches in length .
Grosjean Park, located along Freedlander Road, is a hidden gem within the city limits. It features an accessible education trail, a recovering farm field, and the trout-stocked Apple Creek . The park’s design caters to both novice and experienced anglers, offering ample opportunities to practice fly fishing techniques in a serene environment. The collaboration with Trout Unlimited ensures ongoing conservation efforts, maintaining the creek’s health and the quality of the fishing experience .
Whether you’re a local resident or visiting from out of town, Apple Creek’s trout fishery in Grosjean Park provides a convenient and rewarding angling opportunity. Its combination of urban accessibility and natural beauty makes it a standout destination for trout fishing enthusiasts in Ohio.
For more information see the Clear Fork TU page on fishing at Apple Creek – https://cfrtu.org/apple-creek-fishery/
Mill Creek, Dexter MI
Mill Creek in Dexter, Michigan offers a surprisingly rewarding fly-fishing experience, especially for anglers after brown trout. Once a millpond behind a low-head dam, the creek became a cold-water haven after the dam’s removal in 2008. By 2011 the Ann Arbor chapter of Trout Unlimited (AATU), in partnership with the Michigan DNR, began annual stocking of 5”‑8” yearling brown trout—nearly 2,700 fish every year—and the stream has supported healthy populations ever since . The reach that flows through Mill Creek Park is particularly accessible—it’s mostly wadeable, has public trail access, and you can cast from shore or low watercraft .
Water temperature has always been the primary concern. Early AATU studies revealed many streams in Southeast Michigan aren’t cold enough for trout survival, but Mill Creek’s groundwater-fed headwaters and newly flowing channel held temperatures below 70°F throughout summer—perfect for browns . Today, the creek still qualifies as a cold-water trout fishery, though the AATU urges anglers to avoid fishing once temps reach 70°F or higher .
Fly-fishing tactics on Mill Creek are similar to other small trout streams. Classic nymph rigs, small nymph droppers, and attractor patterns like the Adams dry fly can be effective during hatches . Streamer patterns, especially Muddler Minnows, are also durable and versatile choices to provoke strikes in deeper slack water . Local reports note that Browns ranging from 6–10″ are typical, with occasional 15″+ fish caught; in one case, fish over 18″ have been documented in electro-shocking surveys .
The creek’s accessible public reaches, community-driven habitat efforts, and reliable trout population make it one of the few places near Ann Arbor and Detroit where you can fly fish for brownies consistently. Whether you’re swinging a soft hackle or stalking midges in tailouts, Mill Creek is a small gem worth exploring.
More information can be found on the Ann Arbor TU page at https://www.annarbortu.org/mill-creek.html, including a downloadable guide listing public access points and stream sections.