Tittabawassee River Fishing
Midland County, Gladwin County and Saginaw County, MDNR trout water.
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo: Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
A first look at the Tittabawassee River
The Tittabawassee River is a river whose channel threads Midland County, Gladwin County and Saginaw County. About 72.3 miles of channel are in the MDNR hydrography. From the mapped point, Sanford lies under a mile away.
About 35.4 miles carry an MDNR trout regulation Type (Type 3). Readings come from 3 active gauges. There are 2 public launches along it.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 The Tittabawassee River and its MDNR trout Type
| Type | Miles | Fishing season | Daily possession | Tackle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type 3 | 35.4 | 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. March 16 – Fri. before the last Sat. in April: Only unweighted single-pointed hooks, natural bait, and sinkers or weights or artificial lure |
Read the Type for the reach of the Tittabawassee River 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.
Species anglers find in the Tittabawassee River
Species on the Tittabawassee River list have an MDNR record behind them.
MDNR trout stream layer, fishing sites, stocking table and state records.
Live readings on the Tittabawassee River
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tittabawassee River At Secord Dam Nr Gladwin, Mi | 6.08 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:00 am |
| Tittabawassee River At Sanford, Mi | 262 cfs, 10.16 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:00 am |
| Tittabawassee River At Midland, Mi | 549 cfs, 9.28 ft gage height | Nov 13 8:15 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 8:32 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Getting onto the Tittabawassee River
- Imerman Memorial Park2 lanes, 52 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, Recreation Passport, Saginaw County
- Leonard Boers III Riverfront Park2 lanes, 90 trailer spaces, courtesy pier, toilet, Saginaw County
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Keeper rules posted for the Tittabawassee 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 3) | 5 fish, but no more than 3 trout 15 inches or greater; minimum brook 15", brown 15", salmon/lake trout/rainbow (steelhead)/splake 10" | Fishing: Open all year; possession: Open all year |
The Lower Peninsula inland table governs the Tittabawassee River, with the trout row for stream Type 3, plus any listed exception.
Special entries for the Tittabawassee River
- Midland CountyTittabawassee R. between Sanford Dam site and mouth of the Salt R. and between Dow Dam and Gordonville Bridge, closed to fishing from March 16 – Fri. before last Sat. in April.
- Midland CountyTittabawassee R. downstream from Sanford Dam site, Chippewa, Pine, Salt and all their tributaries the following regulations apply from March 16 – Fri. before the last Sat. in April: Anglers are limited to using unweighted single-pointed hooks, natural bait, and sinkers or weights or artificial lures
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
Stocking events on the Tittabawassee River
The Tittabawassee River took 238 fish in 2 plants from 2024 to 2024.
| Date | Species | Strain | Avg length | Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 16, 2024 | Lake sturgeon | Black Lake | 15.2 in | 124 |
| September 21, 2024 | Lake sturgeon | Saint Clair | 19.1 in | 114 |
MDNR Fish Stocking Report table, January 2024 to October 2026.
Places around the Tittabawassee River
Other lakes a short drive from the Tittabawassee River
- Sanford Lake4 miles
- Ross Lake, Gladwin County15 miles
- Wiggins Lake23 miles
- Stevenson Lake23 miles
Bait and tackle counters by the Tittabawassee River
- Barringer Motor Sports & MRNmarina, Sanford, under a mile
- Sanford Sport Shopbait and tackle shop, Sanford, 1 mile
- Sanford Lake Marinamarina, Sanford, 3 miles
- Erskine Marinemarina, Hope, 6 miles
- Strykers Lakeside Marinamarina, Beaverton, 9 miles
A guided day on the Tittabawassee River
- Raptor Charterscharter, Barryton, (989) 382-5878
- Reel Pleasure Charterscharter, Midland, (989) 687-2700
- Reel Fish'nfishing guide, Bay City, (989) 529-4097
Michigan towns a short drive from the Tittabawassee River
- Sanfordunder a mile
- Midland8 miles
- Coleman12 miles
- Beaverton15 miles
Rivers to try next to the Tittabawassee River
- Salt River, Midland County6 miles
- Tobacco River13 miles
- North Branch Kawkawlin River15 miles
- South Branch Tobacco River18 miles
the Tittabawassee River, county by county
- Midland County
- Gladwin County
- Saginaw County
What Piscifun sells for the Tittabawassee River anglers
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Identifying the fish of Tittabawassee River
Photo: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5
Photo: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, Public domain
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Photo: Engbretson, Eric / U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain
Photo: BenitoJuarez98, CC BY-SA 4.0
The usual questions about the Tittabawassee River
Which Michigan counties does the Tittabawassee River drain?
Look on the map of Midland County, Gladwin County and Saginaw County.
Which trout Type covers the Tittabawassee River?
The MDNR types about 35.4 miles (Type 3).
How much water is the Tittabawassee River carrying this week?
The 3 USGS gauges readings appear above.
Can a trailer reach the Tittabawassee River at a public launch?
2 public launches, such as Imerman Memorial Park.
When is the Tittabawassee River 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 Tittabawassee River?
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 Tittabawassee River?
Barringer Motor Sports & MRN, under a mile from the mapped point.
Which fish does the Tittabawassee River carry, by MDNR records?
The MDNR lists trout and lake sturgeon.
Where do anglers bunk for a trip to the Tittabawassee River?
Sanford is under a mile from the stream.
Spend a Michigan morning on the Tittabawassee River
MDNR limits and live flow sit on this page.