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Portage Lake near Dollar Bay, Houghton County, 9,324 acres 24 mi
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0 
Lake Superior 68 mi
Photo: NPS, Public domain 
Lake Gogebic 43 mi
Photo: Skye Marthaler, CC BY-SA 3.0 
Marquette County 76 mi
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
Michigan rivers
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Misery River Fishing
Houghton County and Ontonagon County, MDNR trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Portage Lake: James Conkis, CC BY-SA 4.0
Michigan rivers
An overview of the Misery River
The Misery River is a Michigan river running through Houghton County and Ontonagon County. Roughly 24.2 miles are traced by the MDNR. Census points make South Range closest, about 16 miles out.
Some 24.2 miles are trout stream, typed Type 1 and Type 3. Boaters and paddlers can use 1 public launch.
24.2miles mapped
24.2trout miles
0USGS gauges
1launches
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How the MDNR classes the Misery River for trout
24.2trout miles
24.2designated miles
| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 1 | 22.1 | 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 3 | 2.1 | 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. |
Each reach of the Misery River 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.
Fish
Species on record for the Misery River
Fish shown for the Misery River come from MDNR layers, plants and records, not a complete survey.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
Access
Putting in on the Misery River
- Misery River Mouth Boat Access1 lane, 6 trailer spaces, toilet, Ontonagon County
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Regulations
Season dates on the Misery 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 (Upper Peninsula) | 5; minimum 15 inches | May 15 – March 15 |
| Northern pike (Upper Peninsula) | 2; minimum 24 inches | May 15 – 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 Misery River, the Upper 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.
Nearby
Close by the Misery River
Neighboring lakes to the Misery River
- Lake Roland4 miles
- Emily Lake6 miles
- Sandy Lake6 miles
- Clear Lake, Houghton County7 miles
Live bait and lures near the Misery River
- Markham's Marinamarina, Houghton, 20 miles
- Freeman's Firearmsbait and tackle shop, Hancock, 21 miles
- Ojibwa Campground & Marinamarina, Baraga, 23 miles
- Dollar Bay Motorsportsmarina, Osceola Twp, 23 miles
- Indian Country Sports Incbait and tackle shop, Lanse, 25 miles
Guided trips on the Misery River
- Voyager Charterscharter, Bruce Crossing, (906) 827-3466
Overnight stops close to the Misery River
- Greenland13 miles
- Painesdale14 miles
- Mass City14 miles
- Trimountain15 miles
More Michigan rivers by the Misery River
- Elm River6 miles
- East Sleeping River7 miles
- Bruno Creek8 miles
- North Branch Bear Creek8 miles
Where the Misery River sits by county
Piscifun
A Piscifun setup for a day on the Misery River
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photographs
The shore near Misery River through a lens
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
Photo: NPS, Public domain
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Photo: Skye Marthaler, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Midwest Region, Public domain
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Answers
The Misery River, settled in a sentence each
Which Michigan counties does the Misery River cross?
MDNR flowlines put it in Houghton County and Ontonagon County.
What trout rules cover the Misery River?
Roughly 24.2 trout miles, typed Type 1 and Type 3.
Is the Misery River high or low today?
No active USGS gauge on our list matches it.
Can I paddle and fish the Misery River?
1 public launch on file, including Misery River Mouth Boat Access.
Are there gear restrictions on the Misery River?
Type 1: 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 Misery River?
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 Misery River?
Nearest listing: Markham's Marina, 20 miles off.
What swims in the Misery River?
trout, per MDNR sources.
How far is the Misery River from a Michigan town?
South Range lies about 16 miles from the MDNR point.
Drive north to the Misery River
Trout seasons change by Type; read them first.