The South Branch Boardman River is a freestone river in Michigan, listed as Blue Ribbon by Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The nearest USGS gauge on the same stream system is shown, labelled. 1 guide nearby are listed here; the nearest destination hub is Grayling & the Au Sable.
South Branch Boardman River is a freestone river in Michigan. Our destination hub Grayling & the Au Sable is 29 mi away in a straight line.
Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.
Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.
Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.
Nothing on this page grants or implies access.
Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles
Map of South Branch Boardman River: gauges, shops and guides
Map of South Branch Boardman River with 1 USGS gauge.
Restrooms within 2 miles of South Branch Boardman River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.
No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.
Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.
Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.
Blue RibbonThe Boardman River in the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, near Traverse City. Photo: Phoenix-Five, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Blue RibbonThe Manistee River, Michigan. Photo: Eric Schmuttenmaer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not North Branch Boardman RiverThe Au Sable River from the Highbanks, Huron-Manistee National Forests. Photo: Jessica Piispanen / USFWS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Boardman River.
Michigan · about 5 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not North Branch Manistee RiverThe Black River in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Photo: SweetCanadianMullet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Manistee River.
Michigan · about 14 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not Cedar RiverThe Pere Marquette River in autumn, Manistee National Forest. Photo: Yetiwriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cedar River.
Michigan · about 22 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not Jordan RiverThe Muskegon River near Newaygo, Michigan. Photo: Marc Steensma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Jordan River.
Michigan · about 32 mi
Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.
Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.
On the Blue Ribbon Trout Streams list (Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read 2026-10-16). All waters with this designation
Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.
Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.
Leland, MI · 34 mi
Lake & stillwater · Saltwater & ocean charters
Nearby
No shop nearby yet.
What 1 nearby guide website mention: what guides advertise, not a survey or a promise of what you will catch.
Named on 1 nearby guide website
2 hatches charted for the region, not measured on this water. From Michigan DNR.
Hex (Hexagenia) (June to July) · Mayflies, stoneflies and caddisflies (June)
Grayling sits at the head of the Au Sable River in northern Lower Michigan, with the upper Manistee River a few miles west and the Boardman River toward Traverse City.
Destination hub · 29 mi away in a straight line
What to bring on a guided float fishing trip: rain gear, polarized sunglasses, sun protection, a dry bag and your license. Most guides supply rods and flies. Estimated prices and where to buy.
Usually supplied by the guide; a 9′ 5–6 weight if you bring your own · Trout on most western float rivers
Open the checklistSeams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on reading water
Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.
Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.
Not sponsored All videos on nymphing
Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with South Branch Boardman River.
No stories from here yet.
Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.
A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.
Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: a point on the mapped channel of “South Branch Boardman River”, halfway along its length in Michigan, from the USGS high-resolution hydrography (NHDPlus HR), read 4 Nov 2026. It marks the water, not a particular access or reach. Water type is our own classification.
Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here
No water temperature here.
At BOARDMAN R ABOVE BROWN BRIDGE ROAD NR MAYFIELD, MI (USGS 04126970). No gauge on South Branch Boardman River. Nearest: BOARDMAN R ABOVE BROWN BRIDGE ROAD NR MAYFIELD, MI (6.6 mi away), on the river it flows into. South Branch Boardman River's own flow is not measured. Provisional USGS data
USGS 04126970 · NWS MYFM4
No gauge on South Branch Boardman River. Nearest: BOARDMAN R ABOVE BROWN BRIDGE ROAD NR MAYFIELD, MI (6.6 mi away), on the river it flows into. South Branch Boardman River's own flow is not measured.
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 6:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST; ranging 96 to 103 ft³/s; latest 103 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 101 | 3.21 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 101 | 3.21 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 103 | 3.23 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 102 | 3.22 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 101 | 3.21 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 96 | 3.17 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 96 | 3.17 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 97.2 | 3.18 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM EDT | 98.3 | 3.19 |
| Oct 29, 7:00 PM EDT | 99.5 | 3.2 |
| Oct 29, 6:30 PM EDT | 101 | 3.21 |
Normal for Nov 5: 89.5–134 ft³/s (middle half of 29 years of record). Now: 103 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 103 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 29 years of record: 10th 84.1, 25th 89.5, median 108, 75th 134, 90th 168 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 74 ft³/s, highest 185 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+4.8% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 3.23 ft stage, 102 ft³/s at Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST (NWS gauge MYFM4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Michigan DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Michigan rule: 68°F.
This gauge is on our page for South Branch Boardman River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Checked Nov 5, 5:16 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.
Blue RibbonThe Boardman River in the Brown Bridge Quiet Area, near Traverse City. Photo: Phoenix-Five, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Michigan · about 7 mi
Brown trout, steelhead & chinook salmon
103cfsFlow now · normal for the date
Blue RibbonThe Manistee River, Michigan. Photo: Eric Schmuttenmaer, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Michigan · about 23 mi
Brown trout, steelhead & smallmouth bass
199cfsFlow now at the USGS gauge
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not North Branch Boardman RiverThe Au Sable River from the Highbanks, Huron-Manistee National Forests. Photo: Jessica Piispanen / USFWS, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Boardman River.
Michigan · about 5 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not North Branch Manistee RiverThe Black River in Cheboygan County, Michigan. Photo: SweetCanadianMullet, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not North Branch Manistee River.
Michigan · about 14 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not Cedar RiverThe Pere Marquette River in autumn, Manistee National Forest. Photo: Yetiwriter, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Cedar River.
Michigan · about 22 mi
Blue RibbonRepresentative photo · not Jordan RiverThe Muskegon River near Newaygo, Michigan. Photo: Marc Steensma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Jordan River.
Traverse City, Michigan
Guest ranch · 6.6 mi
