Dowagiac Creek Fishing
Cass County, MDNR trout water.
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An overview of the Dowagiac Creek
The Dowagiac Creek is a Michigan stream running through Cass County. Roughly 23.4 miles are traced by the MDNR. Census points make Cassopolis closest, about 3 miles out.
Some 10 miles are trout stream, typed Type 1 and Type 2. Live flow comes from 1 active gauge.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 How the MDNR classes the Dowagiac Creek for trout
| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 2 | 5.6 | Last Saturday in April to September 30th | 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 | 4.4 | Last Saturday in April to September 30th | 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. |
Each reach of the Dowagiac Creek takes its season and size limits from its MDNR Type, from Type 1 (late April to September) to Type 4 (open all year).
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.
Species on record for the Dowagiac Creek
Fish shown for the Dowagiac Creek come from MDNR layers, plants and records, not a complete survey.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
USGS gauges on the Dowagiac Creek
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Dowagiac Creek At Dutch Settlement Rd Nr Dowagiac, | 32 cfs, 3.13 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:45 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Putting in on the Dowagiac Creek
Road crossings and public ground are the way onto the Dowagiac Creek.
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Season dates on the Dowagiac Creek
| 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 1) | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater; minimum brook 7", brown 8", salmon/lake trout/rainbow (steelhead)/splake 10" | Fishing: Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30; possession: Last Sat. in April – Sep. 30 |
On the Dowagiac Creek, the Lower Peninsula inland table applies, with the trout row for stream Type 1, except where the digest names it.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
Recent plants in the Dowagiac Creek
From 2024 to 2026: 9 plants, 16,800 fish, on the Dowagiac Creek.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.1 in | 2,700 |
| April 21, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.1 in | 1,400 |
| April 21, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.1 in | 1,400 |
| April 28, 2025 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.4 in | 2,800 |
| April 28, 2025 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.4 in | 1,500 |
| April 28, 2025 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.4 in | 1,500 |
| May 1, 2024 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 12.5 in | 2,700 |
| May 1, 2024 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 12.5 in | 1,400 |
| May 1, 2024 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 12.5 in | 1,400 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026.
Close by the Dowagiac Creek
Neighboring lakes to the Dowagiac Creek
- Mill Pond, Cass County3 miles
- Stone Lake, Cass County4 miles
- Diamond Lake5 miles
- Puterbaugh Lake7 miles
Live bait and lures near the Dowagiac Creek
- Guntle's Outdoor Outfittersbait and tackle shop, Dowagiac, 5 miles
- Midway Watersports Inc Of Sister Lakesmarina, Dowagiac, 11 miles
- MS OUTDOORSbait and tackle shop, Niles, 11 miles
- Clear H2O Tacklebait and tackle shop, Edwardsburg, 11 miles
- Clear Water Marinamarina, Dowagiac, 11 miles
Guided trips on the Dowagiac Creek
- Gold Coast Fishing Co.charter, Saint Joseph, (269) 548-7304
- Golden Eye Charterscharter, Berrien Center, (269) 471-7162
- Reel Addiction Charterscharter, Saint Joseph, (574) 876-6456
- Silver King Sportfishing Chartercharter, Saint Joseph, (269) 983-7816
Overnight stops close to the Dowagiac Creek
- Cassopolis3 miles
- Dowagiac4 miles
- Vandalia7 miles
- Decatur11 miles
More Michigan rivers by the Dowagiac Creek
- Pokagon Creek7 miles
- Dowagiac River8 miles
- Brandywine Creek15 miles
- Brush Creek, Van Buren County15 miles
Where the Dowagiac Creek sits by county
A Piscifun setup for a day on the Dowagiac Creek
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The shore near Dowagiac Creek through a lens
Photo: Humbles Art, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Andrew Jameson, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: The original uploader was Triphook at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Gpwitteveen, CC BY-SA 3.0
The Dowagiac Creek, settled in a sentence each
Which Michigan counties does the Dowagiac Creek cross?
MDNR flowlines put it in Cass County.
What trout rules cover the Dowagiac Creek?
Roughly 10 trout miles, typed Type 1 and Type 2.
Is the Dowagiac Creek high or low today?
1 USGS gauge post readings on this page.
Can I paddle and fish the Dowagiac Creek?
No launch on file.
Are there gear restrictions on the Dowagiac Creek?
Type 2: 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15" or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. Season: Last Saturday in April to September 30th.
What does Michigan charge to fish the Dowagiac Creek?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
Which Michigan bait counter is the shortest drive from the Dowagiac Creek?
Nearest listing: Guntle's Outdoor Outfitters, 5 miles off.
What swims in the Dowagiac Creek?
trout and brown trout, per MDNR sources.
How far is the Dowagiac Creek from a Michigan town?
Cassopolis lies about 3 miles from the MDNR point.
Drive north to the Dowagiac Creek
Trout seasons change by Type; read them first.