Kawkawlin River Fishing
Bay County.
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The Kawkawlin River for visiting anglers
Michigan anglers fish the Kawkawlin River, a river of Bay County. Mapped, it measures close to 17.5 miles. Supplies are in Auburn, about 4 miles off.
USGS runs 1 active gauge on it. You can put in at 1 public launch.
How high the Kawkawlin River is running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Kawkawlin River At State Park Dr At Bay City, Mi | 11.94 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:02 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launch sites along the Kawkawlin River
- Kawkawlin River Boat Access1 lane, 5 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Bay County
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Kawkawlin 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 in unclassified lakes | 5, no more than 3 of which may be 15 inches or greater; minimum 8 inches | Open all year |
Statewide limits for the Lower Peninsula cover the Kawkawlin River.
Where the digest singles out the Kawkawlin River
- Bay CountyKawkawlin R. and all tributaries upstream of Euclid Ave., and Saganing Cr. (upstream from State Rd.) and Pine R. (upstream from State Rd.) closed to fishing March 16 – Fri. before the last Sat. in April.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
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Lakes to try next to the Kawkawlin River
- Sanford Lake22 miles
Where to pick up bait for the Kawkawlin River
- Liberty Harbor Marinamarina, Bay City, 5 miles
- Pier 7 Marinamarina, Bay City, 5 miles
- Wheelers Landingmarina, Bay City, 5 miles
- Skipper Budsmarina, Bay City, 5 miles
- T R Tacklebait and tackle shop, Bay City, 5 miles
Charter captains and guides near the Kawkawlin River
- Reel Pleasure Charterscharter, Midland, (989) 687-2700
- Termar Charter Servicecharter, Au Gres, (989) 876-8318
- Thumbs Up Charter Servicescharter, Sebewaing, (810) 513-6073
- Reel Fish'nfishing guide, Bay City, (989) 529-4097
Towns that put you close to the Kawkawlin River
- Auburn4 miles
- Bay City5 miles
- Essexville7 miles
- Freeland9 miles
Neighboring streams to the Kawkawlin River
- Saginaw River8 miles
- North Branch Kawkawlin River9 miles
- Swan Creek, Saginaw County14 miles
- Quanicassee River15 miles
The counties around the Kawkawlin River
Piscifun spinning and baitcasting picks for the Kawkawlin River
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Lakes and streams near Kawkawlin River, pictured
Photo: Guettarda, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
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Photo: Mtn-graphic, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fishing the Kawkawlin River: questions anglers ask
How do I find the Kawkawlin River on a Michigan map?
The stream threads Bay County.
How does the MDNR type the Kawkawlin River for trout?
It has no trout regulation Type.
Where are flow readings for the Kawkawlin River posted?
It has 1 USGS gauge, shown in the flow band.
Which launches put boats onto the Kawkawlin River?
MDNR data list 1 public launch; Kawkawlin River Boat Access is one.
What are the trout limits on the Kawkawlin River?
The Michigan statewide rows, with county exceptions on top.
What does a visitor from out of state pay for the Kawkawlin River?
Anglers 17 and older carry a Michigan all-species fishing license: $26 a year for residents, $76 for nonresidents, $11 for seniors or $10 for one day.
Where do anglers on the Kawkawlin River pick up worms?
Liberty Harbor Marina, about 5 miles away.
Is the Kawkawlin River Blue Ribbon water?
No MDNR fish list is published for it.
Which Census town is nearest the Kawkawlin River?
The closest Michigan place is Auburn, 4 miles out.
Give the Kawkawlin River a full afternoon
Buy the all-species license before the trip.