Michigan Fly Fishing Hub
Michigan Hatch Calendar
13 species across 18 rivers — all months, all hatches. Click any row to see patterns, timing, water temperature, and which rivers to fish.
Species
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blue-Winged OliveBaetis spp.
Recommended Pattern
BWO Parachute #18-20
Best Time
Late morning to early afternoon
Water Temp
40–58°F ideal 50°
Season
Mar – May & Sep – Nov
Best on overcast, drizzly days. Emergence slows in bright sun. Fall emergences can be heavier than spring.
HendricksonEphemerella subvaria
Recommended Pattern
Hendrickson Dry #14
Best Time
Early to mid afternoon
Water Temp
50–62°F ideal 55°
Michigan's first major hatch of the year. Overcast skies and stable barometric pressure produce the best emergence.
StoneflyPteronarcys dorsata
Recommended Pattern
Kaufmann's Black Stone #6-8
Best Time
Afternoon to evening
Water Temp
42–56°F ideal 50°
Early season stoneflies are excellent attractor nymphs below Tippy Dam for resident browns and steelhead.
CaddisHydropsychidae spp.
Recommended Pattern
Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
Water Temp
52–68°F ideal 60°
Evening egg-laying flights create explosive surface activity. Elk Hair Caddis and X-Caddis are staples.
SulphurEphemerella dorothea
Recommended Pattern
Sulphur Parachute #16-18
Best Time
Evening — dusk into dark
Water Temp
58–68°F ideal 63°
Season
Late May – Late Jun
Classic evening hatch. Spinner falls often continue after dark.
Attractor DryGeneral attractor
Recommended Pattern
Royal Stimulator #10-14
Water Temp
58–75°F ideal 68°
Searching patterns when no specific hatch is active. Works all day on riffled water.
Brown DrakeEphemera simulans
Recommended Pattern
Brown Drake #10-12
Water Temp
58–68°F ideal 64°
Brief but spectacular hatch overlapping early Hex season. Fish often preselect Brown Drake over Hex when both are present.
Recommended Pattern
Hex Spinner #4-6
Best Time
After dark — 9 PM to midnight
Water Temp
62–72°F ideal 68°
Michigan's most anticipated hatch. Requires calm nights above 65°F. The largest mayfly in North America.
Light CahillStenacron interpunctatum
Recommended Pattern
Light Cahill #14-16
Water Temp
58–70°F ideal 65°
Creamy evening hatch on most Michigan rivers. Often overlooked but provides excellent dry fly fishing.
Hopper / TerrestrialMelanoplus spp.
Recommended Pattern
Dave's Hopper #8-10
Water Temp
65–80°F ideal 72°
Summer terrestrial fishing on the lower Manistee can produce aggressive strikes from resident browns along grassy banks.
Recommended Pattern
Trico Spinner #24
Best Time
Early morning — dawn to mid morning
Water Temp
62–75°F ideal 68°
Tiny flies requiring long fine tippets. Spinner falls create massive feeding activity on flat water.
White MillerEphoron leukon
Recommended Pattern
White Wulff #12-14
Water Temp
65–78°F ideal 72°
A midsummer surprise. Massive emergence on warm August evenings. Fish large white patterns in low light.
Mahogany DunParaleptophlebia spp.
Recommended Pattern
Mahogany Dun #14-16
Best Time
Early to mid afternoon
Water Temp
50–62°F ideal 55°
Excellent fall hatch that brings big browns to the surface. Often coincides with BWO.
Hatching now
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