Michigan Fly Fishing Hub · Au Sable River
Au Sable River Holy Waters
Wading Access Points
Every public parking area, wade-in point, and access road on the Au Sable Holy Water from Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge — with exact locations, what to expect at each spot, and wading guidance.
🪲 Flies Only
♻️ Catch & Release
📅 Open Year-Round
📍 9 Miles of Water
About the Holy Water
What Makes This Stretch Special — and What the Rules Are
The Au Sable Holy Water is a nine-mile stretch of the Au Sable River main branch running from Burton's Landing downstream to Wakeley Bridge. It is designated flies-only, catch-and-release, and open to fishing year-round. It is the most famous dry fly trout water in the Great Lakes region and among the most famous in North America.
The regulations are strict and strictly enforced. Conservation Officers actively patrol the Holy Water throughout the season, particularly during the Hendrickson hatch in May and the Hex hatch in June. Know them before you wade in.
The Rules — Non-Negotiable
Artificial flies only. No spinning tackle, no bait, no hardware. A fly rod with a fly line and an artificial fly pattern is the only legal setup. Catch-and-release only for all trout — no trout may be possessed. Open year-round — no closed season on this stretch. These regulations apply from Burton's Landing downstream to Wakeley Bridge on the main branch. Violations carry significant fines.
Access Points — Downstream Order
Every Parking & Wade-In Point on the Holy Water
Listed in downstream order from the upper boundary at Burton's Landing. South Down River Road runs along the south bank; North Down River Road runs along the north bank. Both roads provide access to multiple points. Most access is from road-ends and informal pullouts.
Au Sable Holy Water — Burton's Landing to Wakeley Bridge
~9 miles · Flies Only · C&R · Year-Round
Burton's Landing Canoe LaunchWade AccessParking
The official upper boundary of the Holy Water. Paved parking lot, vault toilets, canoe/kayak launch. South bank of the river. Turn east off M-72 onto Burton Road approximately 3 miles east of Grayling. Follow signs to the landing.
44.6628° N, 84.6217° W
Best wading: Wade upstream from the landing into the first gravel riffles. The pools above Burton's are above the C&R boundary — check regulations. Below Burton's is where the Holy Water begins.
Louie's Landing Road Wade AccessRoadside Parking
A road-end on the south bank providing walk-in access to the upper Holy Water. Limited parking — 4 to 6 vehicles. Louie's Landing Road off South Down River Road. Walk to the bank and wade from the road-end.
South Down River Rd, ~1.5 mi below Burton's
The pools just above and below Louie's Landing receive moderate pressure but offer excellent access to some of the best flat water on the upper Holy Water. The slow inside bend just downstream holds fish during the evening hatch.
Keystone Landing Road Wade AccessRoadside Parking
Road-end access on South Down River Road. One of the more productive wade-in points on the Holy Water — the stretch above and below Keystone contains some of the densest Hex habitat on the entire river. Limited roadside parking.
Keystone Landing Rd off South Down River Rd
The flat water immediately downstream of Keystone Landing is prime Hex territory in late June. Soft muck edges on both sides of the river hold enormous Hexagenia nymph populations. In normal years this is where the first Hex scouts appear.
Thendara Road / Spite Road Wade AccessRoadside Parking
Two adjacent road-ends on South Down River Road providing access to the mid-Holy Water. Thendara Road is the more commonly used of the two. Some anglers park at one road-end and walk upstream to fish back to the other, covering a productive half-mile stretch.
Thendara Rd / Spite Rd off South Down River Rd
This mid-river section is classic Holy Water — alternating pools, riffles, and runs with good wading on a gravel-and-sand bottom. The stretch between Thendara and Stephan Bridge is the most heavily fished on the entire Holy Water. Arrive early or late in the evening during peak season.
Stephan Bridge Road / Gates Au Sable Lodge Boat LaunchWade AccessFly ShopParking Lot
The midpoint of the Holy Water and the most recognizable landmark on the entire Au Sable. The bridge crossing bisects the C&R section. Gates Au Sable Lodge sits on the north bank at Stephan Bridge Road — the historic lodge has a full-service Orvis fly shop, guide service, dining room, and lodging. Public parking is available at the bridge. The parking lot fills by noon during Hex season. Drift boat launch on the south bank.
44.6581° N, 84.5849° W
If you are visiting the Holy Water for the first time, start here. Talk to Gates Lodge — their daily fishing report is the most accurate on the river. The riffle immediately above the bridge and the flat pool below it are iconic Au Sable water. Below the bridge access becomes more limited and a drift boat is the preferred approach for the lower Holy Water.
Whirlpool Road Wade AccessRoadside Parking
Access from the north bank via North Down River Road. The Whirlpool Road turnoff provides access to the lower Holy Water below Stephan Bridge. The north bank approach can reach water that is difficult to access from the south side. Limited parking on the road shoulder.
Whirlpool Rd off North Down River Rd
The lower Holy Water below Stephan Bridge is where the river begins to widen and slow — creating the flat, soft-bottom habitat that makes this section so productive during the Hex hatch. Wading becomes more challenging below the bridge. Know your depth before committing to mid-river.
Wakeley Bridge Canoe LaunchWade AccessParking Area
The lower boundary of the Holy Water. Paved parking area and canoe launch at the bridge. Below Wakeley, the river transitions from the C&R fly-only Holy Water to general trout regulations (check current DNR regs for the Wakeley to McMaster's section). The Old Au Sable Fly Shop is located a short distance from Wakeley Bridge on M-72 in Grayling.
44.6514° N, 84.5219° W
The first pool below Wakeley Bridge is open to general trout regulations and is accessible by wading from the launch. The deeper water here holds large brown trout that benefit from the softer regulations below the C&R boundary. Exercise caution — the river deepens significantly just below the bridge.
Wading the Holy Water
What to Expect When You Wade In
The Au Sable Holy Water has a reputation as easy wading — and for the upper section from Burton's to Stephan Bridge this is accurate. The river is 50 to 80 feet wide in most places, the bottom is predominantly gravel and sand, and typical depth is knee to thigh. Below Stephan Bridge the river slows and deepens, and wading requires more caution.
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Wading Gear
Felt soles are effective on the Holy Water's sandy-gravel bottom. Rubber soles with carbide studs work equally well. The bottom is relatively forgiving compared to rivers like the Pine. A wading staff is optional above Stephan Bridge but helpful below it.
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Depths by Section
Burton's to Stephan Bridge: mostly knee to thigh, occasional waist-deep pools. Stephan Bridge to Wakeley: knee to waist throughout with deep runs exceeding 4 feet. Wade the edges and tail-outs rather than crossing the main current below the bridge.
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How to Move
The Holy Water is not a wade-upstream-for-miles river. Fish a section of 200 to 400 yards thoroughly, then move. Most productive approach is to enter at a road-end, fish the quarter-mile above and below the access point, and return to the car. Do not thrash through a pool to reach water 300 yards away.
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High Water Advisory
The Holy Water flows above normal levels in spring — sometimes substantially. Check the USGS Grayling gauge before visiting. At flows above 800 CFS wading below Stephan Bridge becomes challenging for most anglers. Above 1,200 CFS the entire section is drift boat water only.
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Upstream vs. Downstream
Present flies from a downstream position, casting upstream and across. Approaching from below allows you to remain behind the fish and outside their cone of vision. The downstream approach is essential on the Holy Water where fish are educated and spooky.
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Night Wading (Hex Season)
Wading the Holy Water at night during the Hex season requires extra caution. Scout your section in daylight before dark. Know exactly where the deep holes are. Move only when necessary. A quality headlamp in red-light mode and wading staff are non-negotiable after dark.
First-timer recommendation
If this is your first visit to the Holy Water, enter at Stephan Bridge Road. Walk to the river, study the water for 10 minutes before casting, and fish the riffle above the bridge. Talk to Gates Lodge — their daily report tells you exactly what is hatching and where fish were rising the evening before. This one habit is worth more than any guide on the internet.
Getting There
Directions to the Holy Water
Grayling, MI is the gateway city — located at the intersection of I-75 and M-72, approximately 3.5 hours from Detroit and 2.5 hours from Grand Rapids. Most Holy Water access points are 3 to 10 miles east of Grayling on M-72 and the adjacent South and North Down River Roads.
For Stephan Bridge Road / Gates Lodge: From I-75, take Exit 254 (M-72 East). Drive approximately 5 miles east of Grayling and turn south on Stephan Bridge Road. The lodge and bridge are at the end of the road.
For Burton's Landing: From M-72 east of Grayling, turn south on Burton Road. Follow to the landing.
For Wakeley Bridge: Continue east on M-72 past Stephan Bridge Road. Turn south on Wakeley Bridge Road.
Cell service is limited on South and North Down River Roads. Download offline maps before leaving Grayling.