Michigan
Pere Marquette River at Scottville
Current River Rating
Poor · 40
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Low confidence
Should I Go?
Wait
Limited opportunity
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is recommended while current river conditions remain Poor.
Why
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout.
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
Cautions
- Recent observed air temperature suggests unfavorable river water temperature for trout. Verify with a stream thermometer; this is not a measured water temperature.
Timing Evidence
Dawn low light is favorable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 487 CFS
- Gage Height
- 1.16 ft
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 04122500 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
73°F
Feels like
78°F
Wind
5 mph NE
Wind gust
10 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.12 in
Last 48 hours
0.15 in
Some recent rainfall may begin influencing river conditions.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 71°F
Chance 16%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 68°F
Chance 7%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 12 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 9 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 71°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 79°F / Low 67°F
Chance 19%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 78°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 14 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 58°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 84°F / Low 60°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 33 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan. Monitoring-Backed via accepted air-derived river-trout path: USGS reports live 00060 and 00065 without water temperature. Existing Estimated seed requalified to Monitoring-Backed.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Pere Marquette River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Pere Marquette at Scottville is the lower PM trout and steelhead fishing reach at the USGS pin. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04122500 (live discharge and stage). Live 00010 is not present; thermal uses the accepted air-derived river-trout path. This existing public identity is requalified from Estimated to Monitoring-Backed. Distinct from Muskegon Croton 04121970. Steelhead and salmon runs are MDNR fisheries, not condition ratings. Brown trout are the honest resident selector primary. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Pere Marquette Scottville wild brown trout. USGS 04122500 air-derived thermal.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Pere Marquette rainbow trout / steelhead. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Seasonal MDNR Chinook. MDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Natural flow
Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Mason County, a Lake Michigan tributary famous for wild brown trout and migratory salmonids.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MDNR Pere Marquette / Scottville access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04122500. Fly-fishing-only and sanctuary reaches exist upstream; confirm maps.
Stocking information
MDNR manages Pere Marquette trout, steelhead, and salmon. Confirm current official notices.
Official sources
MDNR Pere Marquette gear-restricted and Great Lakes tributary rules change. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. MDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings. Distinct from Muskegon 04121970. Confirm current MDNR Fishing Regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral anadromous streamer family. Not a salmonfly Hatch calendar.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for fly-presented salmon/steelhead water.
- Soft hackleGeneral swing-style family. Not an insect emergence claim.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Mason, Michigan
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Mason
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary trout river
Regulation Scope
Pere Marquette River at Scottville
Regulation Summary
Pere Marquette at Scottville: MDNR Pere Marquette River trout and salmon rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, rainbow-trout, chinook-salmon
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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