North Branch Clinton River Fishing
Macomb County and Lapeer County, MDNR trout water.
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The North Branch Clinton River: length, counties and fish
Through Macomb County and Lapeer County the North Branch Clinton River follows its bed as a river. The flowline sum is about 50.5 miles. The nearest town is Romeo, roughly 5 miles away.
The MDNR regulates about 49.2 miles as trout water (Type 1 and Type 4). 2 active gauges report from the channel.
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| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 4 | 30 | 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 | 19.1 | 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. |
On the North Branch Clinton River, the MDNR Type sets the season and the minimum size; Type 1 is the standard brook trout stream, Types 3 and 4 run year round.
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.
What swims in the North Branch Clinton River
The list joins the MDNR trout stream layer, fishing site lists, stocking events and records for the North Branch Clinton River; it is not a full survey.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
Discharge on the North Branch Clinton River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| N Branch Clinton R At 26 Mile Nr Meade, Mi | 13 cfs, 5.10 ft gage height | Nov 14 11:30 am |
| North Branch Clinton River Near Mt. Clemens, Mi | 21 cfs, 4.39 ft gage height | Nov 14 12:00 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 14, 2026 12:32 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Boat and canoe access to the North Branch Clinton River
The access data hold no launch on the North Branch Clinton River.
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Size and bag limits on the North Branch Clinton 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 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 |
Statewide inland rows for the Lower Peninsula apply on the North Branch Clinton River, with the trout row for stream Type 1; check the county exceptions too.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
Near the North Branch Clinton River
Nearby inland lakes for a the North Branch Clinton River trip
- Cusick Lake7 miles
- Stony Creek Lake (Nort8 miles
- Stony Creek Lake9 miles
- Lakeville Lake13 miles
Tackle stores within a drive of the North Branch Clinton River
- Ralph's Wholesale Live Baitbait and tackle shop, Ray, under a mile
- Fillmore Tackle and Morebait and tackle shop, Lenox, 7 miles
- Marina Tsokurmarina, Macomb, 8 miles
- Sierra, 50537 Waterside Drbait and tackle shop, Chesterfield, 8 miles
- L.L.Beanbait and tackle shop, Clinton Township, 10 miles
Hiring a guide for the North Branch Clinton River
- Captain Steve Jones Charterscharter, Harrison Township, (586) 469-2070
- Northbay Charterscharter, Casco, (586) 727-4991
- Waters Edge Fish Artistrycharter, LAke Orion, (248) 693-6990
- Woodland Rivers Guide Servicecharter, Rochester Hills, (248) 608-0908
Places to stay around the North Branch Clinton River
- Romeo5 miles
- Armada6 miles
- New Haven7 miles
- Richmond9 miles
Nearby rivers for a North Branch Clinton River trip
- East Branch Coon Creek4 miles
- Middle Branch Clinton River5 miles
- Salt River, Macomb County7 miles
- East Pond Creek8 miles
County fishing pages for the North Branch Clinton River
- Macomb County
- Lapeer County
Piscifun reels worth packing for the North Branch Clinton River
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Fish an angler meets at North Branch Clinton River
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
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Photo: Fizzishin, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
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Asked and answered: fishing the North Branch Clinton River
In which Michigan county is the North Branch Clinton River?
Its course crosses Macomb County and Lapeer County.
Are trout legal to keep on the North Branch Clinton River?
About 49.2 miles carry an MDNR trout Type (Type 1 and Type 4).
Does a stream gauge sit on the North Branch Clinton River?
Readings from 2 USGS gauges are above.
Can I put a canoe into the North Branch Clinton River at a launch?
The access data hold no launch for it.
What MDNR limits apply on the North Branch Clinton River?
Type 4: 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15" or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. Season: January 1st to December 31st.
Which Michigan license do I need on the North Branch Clinton River?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
Which store on our Michigan list is closest to the North Branch Clinton River?
Try Ralph's Wholesale Live Bait (under a mile).
Which fish does the MDNR list for the North Branch Clinton River?
MDNR records name trout.
Which town makes a handy base for the North Branch Clinton River?
By air, Romeo is about 5 miles from the stream.
Set aside a river day on the North Branch Clinton River
Check the gauge and the Type rules before you go.