Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County Fishing
Arenac County and Ogemaw County, MDNR trout water.
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A first look at the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
The Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County is a river whose channel threads Arenac County and Ogemaw County. About 61.7 miles of channel are in the MDNR hydrography. From the mapped point, Prescott lies around 6 miles away. A Michigan Natural River district runs along it.
About 61.7 miles carry an MDNR trout regulation Type (Type 1 and Type 3). Readings come from 1 active gauge. There are 6 public launches along it.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County and its MDNR trout Type
| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 3 | 55.3 | 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 | 6.4 | 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. |
Read the Type for the reach of the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County you plan to fish; seasons and sizes differ by Type.
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.
Special designations on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Michigan Natural RiverNatural River Rifle River 400, 11,090 acres in the district
Blue Ribbon means top trout water to the MDNR; Natural River status controls development near the channel.
MDNR Blue Ribbon Trout Streams and Natural Rivers layers, checked October 2026.
Species anglers find in the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
Species on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County list have an MDNR record behind them.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
Live readings on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Rifle River Near Sterling, Mi | 257 cfs, 1.87 ft gage height | Nov 13 7:30 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Getting onto the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Headwaters Boat Accessboat ramp, Recreation Passport, Ogemaw County
- The Ranch Boat Accesscarry-in launch, 2 trailer spaces, Recreation Passport, Ogemaw County
- Sage Lake Road Boat Accesscarry-in launch, 1 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport, Ogemaw County
- Twin Lake Road Boat Accessboat ramp, Ogemaw County
- Kenneth Road Boat Accessboat ramp, 2 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport, Ogemaw County
- Moffatt Bridge Boat Accesscarry-in launch, 5 trailer spaces, toilet, Recreation Passport, Arenac County
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Keeper rules posted for the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
| 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 |
The Lower Peninsula inland table governs the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County, with the trout row for stream Type 1, plus any listed exception.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
Stocking events on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
The Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County took 224,957 fish in 27 plants from 2024 to 2026.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 21, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 10.9 in | 2,800 |
| April 23, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.2 in | 2,800 |
| April 23, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.2 in | 2,800 |
| April 23, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.2 in | 2,800 |
| April 23, 2026 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 13.2 in | 2,800 |
| April 23, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 19 in | 23,274 |
| April 9, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 19.8 in | 11,000 |
| April 7, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 19.8 in | 10,500 |
| April 20, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 17.9 in | 10,000 |
| April 14, 2026 | Rainbow trout | Michigan | 20.1 in | 7,153 |
| May 8, 2025 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 14.9 in | 3,000 |
| May 8, 2025 | Brown trout | Sturgeon River | 14.9 in | 3,000 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026.
Places around the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
Other lakes a short drive from the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Skidway Lake2 miles
- Bush Lake, Ogemaw County3 miles
- Clear Lake near Prescott, Ogemaw County5 miles
- Lake Ogemaw6 miles
Bait and tackle counters by the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Dean's Bait & Tackle Incbait and tackle shop, Alger, 4 miles
- Lake Ogemaw Marinamarina, West Branch, 7 miles
- Wts Marine Repairmarina, Omer, 8 miles
- Lakeshore Marina Incmarina, Gladwin, 14 miles
- Reed Marinemarina, Gladwin, 14 miles
A guided day on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Reel Pleasure Charterscharter, Midland, (989) 687-2700
- Termar Charter Servicecharter, Au Gres, (989) 876-8318
- Reel Fish'nfishing guide, Bay City, (989) 529-4097
Michigan towns a short drive from the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Skidway Lake3 miles
- Prescott7 miles
- Sterling8 miles
- Omer12 miles
Rivers to try next to the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
- Whitney Creek10 miles
- Johnson Creek, Iosco County10 miles
- Big Creek, Arenac County10 miles
- Klacking Creek13 miles
the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County, county by county
- Arenac County
- Ogemaw County
What Piscifun sells for the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County anglers
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Identifying the fish of Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
Photo: United States Fish and Wildlife Services, Public domain
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Photo: Jonathunder, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
The usual questions about the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
Which Michigan counties does the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County drain?
Look on the map of Arenac County and Ogemaw County.
Which trout Type covers the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County?
The MDNR types about 61.7 miles (Type 1 and Type 3).
How much water is the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County carrying this week?
The 1 USGS gauge readings appear above.
Can a trailer reach the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County at a public launch?
6 public launches, such as Moffatt Bridge Boat Access.
When is the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County open for trout?
Type 3: 5 fish, with no more than 3 trout 15" or greater. Zero (0) Arctic Grayling. Season: January 1st to December 31st.
Does Michigan sell a trout stamp for the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County?
Trout and salmon need no separate stamp in Michigan; the all-species license ($26 resident, $76 nonresident a year) covers them.
Which tackle store sits handiest to the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County?
Dean's Bait & Tackle Inc, roughly 4 miles from the mapped point.
Which fish does the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County carry, by MDNR records?
The MDNR lists trout, brown trout and rainbow trout.
Where do anglers bunk for a trip to the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County?
Prescott is roughly 6 miles from the stream.
Spend a Michigan morning on the Rifle River near Prescott, Arenac County
MDNR limits and live flow sit on this page.