Belle River Fishing
St. Clair County, Lapeer County and Macomb County, MDNR trout water.
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The Belle River for visiting anglers
Michigan anglers fish the Belle River, a river of St. Clair County, Lapeer County and Macomb County. Mapped, it measures close to 73.8 miles. Supplies are in Memphis, about 1 mile off.
Trout Types cover roughly 73.5 miles: Type 4. USGS runs 1 active gauge on it.
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| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 4 | 73.5 | January 1st to December 31st | 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15" or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. | Artificial lures and all types of natural bait may be used. |
Type 1 stream on the Belle River close after September 30; Types 3 and 4 stay open all year with different possession rules and minimum sizes.
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
MDNR Trout and Salmon Inland Stream Regulation Types and gear-restricted layers; 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). Michigan trout streams.
Fish in the Belle River
Fish documented on the Belle River by MDNR layers and stocking.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
How high the Belle River is running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Belle River At Memphis, Mi | 17 cfs, 1.13 ft gage height | Nov 14 10:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 11:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launch sites along the Belle River
Reach the Belle River on foot from bridges and state land.
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Belle River
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth and smallmouth bass | 5 in any combination; minimum 14 inches | Possession: Sat. before Memorial Day – Dec. 31; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Walleye (Lower Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Lower Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | Last Sat. in April – March 15 |
| Muskellunge | Only 1 per angler per license year (April 1 – March 31); mandatory harvest registration within 24 hours; minimum 42 inches (46, 50 or 38 inches on listed waters) | Possession: 1st Sat. in June – March 15; catch-and-immediate-release open all year |
| Yellow perch | 25 | Open all year |
| Sunfish and crappie | 25 in any combination of the listed species | Open all year |
| Channel catfish | 10; minimum 12 inches | Open all year |
| Flathead catfish | 5; minimum 15 inches | Open all year |
| White bass | 10 | Open all year |
| Cisco and whitefish | 5 in any combination | Open all year |
| Burbot | 5 | Open all year |
| Trout and salmon (stream Type 4) | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater; minimum brook 7", brown 10", salmon/lake trout/rainbow (steelhead)/splake 10" | Fishing: Open all year; possession: Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 for brook trout, brown trout and Atlantic salmon; open all year f |
Statewide limits for the Lower Peninsula cover the Belle River, with the trout row for stream Type 4.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
Hatchery fish released into the Belle River
Plants on the Belle River: 3 events and 27,925 fish, 2024 to 2026.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| March 30, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 19.6 in | 12,719 |
| April 23, 2025 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 18.2 in | 7,604 |
| April 8, 2024 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 19 in | 7,602 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026.
What sits close to the Belle River
Lakes to try next to the Belle River
- Cusick Lake17 miles
- Stony Creek Lake (Nort19 miles
- Stony Creek Lake20 miles
- Lakeville Lake21 miles
Where to pick up bait for the Belle River
- Eds Auto & Boat Servicemarina, Allenton, 6 miles
- Fillmore Tackle and Morebait and tackle shop, Lenox, 11 miles
- Ralph's Wholesale Live Baitbait and tackle shop, Ray, 12 miles
- River's Bend Marinamarina, Saint Clair, 14 miles
- St Clair City Boat Harbormarina, Saint Clair, 14 miles
Charter captains and guides near the Belle River
- Captain Steve Jones Charterscharter, Harrison Township, (586) 469-2070
- Northbay Charterscharter, Casco, (586) 727-4991
- Woodland Rivers Guide Servicecharter, Rochester Hills, (248) 608-0908
- lake St Clair Fishing Guide Servicecharter, Goodells, (810) 531-2191
Towns that put you close to the Belle River
- Memphis1 mile
- Richmond5 miles
- Emmett7 miles
- Armada7 miles
Neighboring streams to the Belle River
- East Branch Coon Creek8 miles
- Pine River, St. Clair County10 miles
- Salt River, Macomb County11 miles
- Mill Creek, St. Clair County12 miles
The counties around the Belle River
- St. Clair County
- Lapeer County
- Macomb County
Piscifun spinning and baitcasting picks for the Belle River
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Lakes and streams near Belle River, pictured
Photo: TheWxResearcher, CC0 1.0
Photo: Saginaw Future Inc, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
Fishing the Belle River: questions anglers ask
How do I find the Belle River on a Michigan map?
The stream threads St. Clair County, Lapeer County and Macomb County.
How does the MDNR type the Belle River for trout?
Trout water over about 73.5 miles, Type 4.
Where are flow readings for the Belle River posted?
It has 1 USGS gauge, shown in the flow band.
Which launches put boats onto the Belle River?
Walk-in fishing only on record.
What are the trout limits on the Belle River?
Type 4: 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15" or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. Season: January 1st to December 31st.
What does a visitor from out of state pay for the Belle River?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
Where do anglers on the Belle River pick up worms?
Eds Auto & Boat Service, about 6 miles away.
Is the Belle River Blue Ribbon water?
On file: trout and rainbow trout.
Which Census town is nearest the Belle River?
The closest Michigan place is Memphis, 1 mile out.
Give the Belle River a full afternoon
Buy the all-species license before the trip.