Rivers / Northwest Lower Peninsula

Platte River

Groundwater-fed with stable flows that barely respond to rain. The upper river from Bronson to Platte Lake is brown trout water, particularly productive at night during the Hex hatch in the soft, silty pools above the lake. Below the lake it is the state coho hatchery river: kings arrive in September ahead of the coho, the lower river fills around September 20, and the weir egg take ran October 16-28 in 2025 with roughly 772,000 coho stocked.

Honor, Benzie Countygroundwaterlake michiganhatch offset 0 d

Find flies for February Full-year calendar

Fish by month

Coho salmon
Egg take October 16-28, 2025; ~772,000 stocked; 20,000 passed above the weir under consent decree.
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
Origin
stocked
Confidence
A
Chinook salmon
Kings arrive before the coho in September.
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
Origin
stocked
Confidence
B
Steelhead
Platte hatchery stocks Michigan and Skamania strains (31,722 Skamania in 2025); last spring fish late April.
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
Origin
stocked
Confidence
A
Brown trout
Upper river Bronson to Platte Lake; night fishing during Hex.
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
Origin
unknown
Confidence
B

Species	Months	Origin	Confidence
Coho salmon Egg take October 16-28, 2025; ~772,000 stocked; 20,000 passed above the weir under consent decree.	J F M A M J J A S O N D	stocked	A
Chinook salmon Kings arrive before the coho in September.	J F M A M J J A S O N D	stocked	B
Steelhead Platte hatchery stocks Michigan and Skamania strains (31,722 Skamania in 2025); last spring fish late April.	J F M A M J J A S O N D	stocked	A
Brown trout Upper river Bronson to Platte Lake; night fishing during Hex.	J F M A M J J A S O N D	unknown	B

The DNR also plants fish here that this site does not model yet: northern pike (1995–2004). See the stocking record below.

Hatching in February

Eggs in the drift

In February the drift carries steelhead, Chinook salmon and coho salmon eggs. Spawning follows water temperature rather than the hatch offset, so these months do not shift. The spawners have left, but eggs are still washing out of the redds. They go pale as they age, so rows marked Washing out list the pale colors.

Steelhead eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Sucker Spawn
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Drifting
Colors to fish
Apricot, Peach, Pale Yellow, Oregon Cheese, Light Pink
Hooks
#10–14
Chinook salmon eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Scrambled Eggs
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Washing out
Colors to fish
Oregon Cheese, Apricot Supreme, Pink Lady, Cream/Dead Egg
Hooks
#6–10
Coho salmon eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Scrambled Eggs
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Washing out
Colors to fish
Oregon Cheese, Apricot Supreme, Pink Lady, Cream/Dead Egg
Hooks
#6–12
Walleye eggsTie on Sucker Spawn, Y2K Egg, Micro Spawn (6 to 8 mm yarn egg)
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Not drifting
Colors to fish
Pale Yellow, Cream, Light Gold
Hooks
#12–16
White and longnose sucker eggsTie on Glo Bug, Sucker Spawn, Scrambled Eggs
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Not drifting
Colors to fish
Pale Yellow, Cream, Light Gold, Peach
Hooks
#12–16
Redhorse sucker eggsTie on Sucker Spawn, Scrambled Eggs
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Not drifting
Colors to fish
Pale Yellow, Light Gold, Cream
Hooks
#12–14
Brown trout eggs (resident and lake-run)Tie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Blood Dot Egg
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Not drifting
Colors to fish
Steelhead Orange, Egg, Oregon Cheese
Hooks
#10–14
Lake trout eggs
1. J
2. F
3. M
4. A
5. M
6. J
7. J
8. A
9. S
10. O
11. N
12. D
February
Not drifting
Colors to fish
Oregon Cheese, Pale Yellow, Apricot
Hooks
#10–12

Egg source	Months	February	Colors to fish	Hooks
Steelhead eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Sucker Spawn	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Drifting	Apricot, Peach, Pale Yellow, Oregon Cheese, Light Pink	#10–14
Chinook salmon eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Scrambled Eggs	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Washing out	Oregon Cheese, Apricot Supreme, Pink Lady, Cream/Dead Egg	#6–10
Coho salmon eggsTie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Scrambled Eggs	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Washing out	Oregon Cheese, Apricot Supreme, Pink Lady, Cream/Dead Egg	#6–12
Walleye eggsTie on Sucker Spawn, Y2K Egg, Micro Spawn (6 to 8 mm yarn egg)	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Not drifting	Pale Yellow, Cream, Light Gold	#12–16
White and longnose sucker eggsTie on Glo Bug, Sucker Spawn, Scrambled Eggs	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Not drifting	Pale Yellow, Cream, Light Gold, Peach	#12–16
Redhorse sucker eggsTie on Sucker Spawn, Scrambled Eggs	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Not drifting	Pale Yellow, Light Gold, Cream	#12–14
Brown trout eggs (resident and lake-run)Tie on Nuke Egg, Glo Bug, Blood Dot Egg	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Not drifting	Steelhead Orange, Egg, Oregon Cheese	#10–14
Lake trout eggs	J F M A M J J A S O N D	Not drifting	Oregon Cheese, Pale Yellow, Apricot	#10–12

Signature hatches

Hex

Jun 10 – Jul 10

Michigan's biggest hatch and the last of the Au Sable's Big Five: 4-8 duns emerging in the dark from silt banks on muggy nights from about 10 pm, with spinner falls one to three nights after the first duns. Peak on the Au Sable Holy Water is June 20-28 (Mio Trophy Water is the classic Hex water), Manistee June 25-July 5, Pere Marquette June 10-25, Muskegon tailwater June 8-20, and the U.P. two to three weeks later (Superior Flies peak July 5-21). Fish a Hex dun or spinner such as Robert's Yellow Drake, McCoy's All Day Dun or a Boondoggle Hex on a short 6-foot 2X leader, and a Hex wiggle nymph or Spring Wiggler year-round; trout in prime habitat may see up to 2,000 nymphs a day outside the hatch. Watch water temperature from June 10 and expect the hatch within days once the Au Sable holds 62-65 F.

DNR stocking

Michigan DNR Fish Stocking Database records since 1979 for Platte River, North Branch Platte River. 477 plants on record. Snapshot 2026-09-28. DNR “rainbow trout” of Michigan or Skamania strain are steelhead smolts. Open the DNR database.

Rainbow troutsteelhead strain
Michigan · since 2011
2021
—
2022
20,210
2023
19,541
2024
22,940
2025
20,854
2026
20,998
Latest plant
Apr 20, 2026Hatchery · 7.9 in
Brown trout
Wild Rose · since 1996
2021
26,999
2022
—
2023
35,997
2024
—
2025
—
2026
—
Latest plant
Mar 22, 2023Platte River Mouth · 6.6 in
Coho salmon
Michigan, Hinchinbrooke · since 1979
2021
785,669
2022
769,220
2023
821,822
2024
673,736
2025
692,267
2026
666,388
Latest plant
May 6, 2026Hatchery · 5.5 in

Species	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	2026	Latest plant
Rainbow troutsteelhead strain Michigan · since 2011	—	20,210	19,541	22,940	20,854	20,998	Apr 20, 2026Hatchery · 7.9 in
Brown trout Wild Rose · since 1996	26,999	—	35,997	—	—	—	Mar 22, 2023Platte River Mouth · 6.6 in
Coho salmon Michigan, Hinchinbrooke · since 1979	785,669	769,220	821,822	673,736	692,267	666,388	May 6, 2026Hatchery · 5.5 in

Earlier plants, not stocked in the last five years

Northern pike
Years
1995–2004
Fish planted
860,200
Last plant
May 12, 2004 · Deadstream Road

Species	Years	Fish planted	Last plant
Northern pike	1995–2004	860,200	May 12, 2004 · Deadstream Road

Recent plants, by date

May 6, 2026 228,964 coho salmon (Michigan) at Hatchery5.5 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 30, 2026 33,988 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.4 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 30, 2026 61,200 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.4 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 28, 2026 28,971 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.2 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 28, 2026 66,250 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.2 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 27, 2026 9,351 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.5 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 27, 2026 57,600 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.5 inadipose, coded wire tag
Apr 27, 2026 28,799 coho salmon (Michigan) at El Dorado Access Site5.5 inadipose, coded wire tag

Gear rules

Transcribed from the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations digest. Confirm with the DNR before fishing.

US-31 bridge at Veteran's Park to Lake Michigan
Tackle
gear restricted
Season
All year
Notes
Type 4; single-pointed unweighted hook no larger than 1/2 in; weir closures; US-31 to Platte Lake closed Jan. 1 - Mar. 31.

Reach	Tackle	Season	Notes
US-31 bridge at Veteran's Park to Lake Michigan	gear restricted	All year	Type 4; single-pointed unweighted hook no larger than 1/2 in; weir closures; US-31 to Platte Lake closed Jan. 1 - Mar. 31.