Au Sable River Holy Waters Wading Access Points — Complete Parking & Wade-In Guide

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

9.1 river miles · 9 public access points

True-traced river course, downstream order ·access / landingbridge

1Burton’s Landingmi 0.02Louie’s Landingmi 0.83Keystone Landingmi 1.34Whirlpool Roadmi 2.05Thendara Roadmi 2.96Stephan Bridgemi 3.67Spite Roadmi 5.68Shaw Parkmi 6.19Wakeley Bridgemi 9.1

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.

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.

Au Sable Holy Water
Live Conditions

Real-time USGS flow data, water temperature, and this week's conditions report — updated every Thursday.

Au Sable Conditions Hex Hatch Peak Dates Get Licensed Tippy Dam Access