Tobacco River Fishing
Gladwin County and Midland County.
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The Tobacco River for visiting anglers
Michigan anglers fish the Tobacco River, a river of Gladwin County and Midland County. Mapped, it measures close to 12.6 miles. Supplies are in Beaverton, about 3 miles off.
USGS runs 1 active gauge on it.
How high the Tobacco River is running
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Tobacco River At Glidden Road At Beaverton, Mi | 197 cfs, 2.41 ft gage height | Nov 13 9:00 am |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 13, 2026 9:33 am ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
Launch sites along the Tobacco River
Reach the Tobacco River on foot from bridges and state land.
MDNR boat access sites, MDNR fishing sites, USGS gauges.
Harvest rules on the Tobacco 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 Tobacco River.
2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations (April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027). All Michigan limits.
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Lakes to try next to the Tobacco River
- Ross Lake, Gladwin County4 miles
- Sanford Lake9 miles
- Wiggins Lake11 miles
- Pratt Lake, Gladwin County13 miles
Where to pick up bait for the Tobacco River
- Smith's Landingbait and tackle shop, Beaverton, 2 miles
- Lakeside Services & Specialtiesmarina, Beaverton, 3 miles
- Strykers Lakeside Marinamarina, Beaverton, 4 miles
- Erskine Marinemarina, Hope, 7 miles
- Lakelife Marinamarina, Gladwin, 9 miles
Charter captains and guides near the Tobacco River
- Raptor Charterscharter, Barryton, (989) 382-5878
- Reel Pleasure Charterscharter, Midland, (989) 687-2700
- Termar Charter Servicecharter, Au Gres, (989) 876-8318
- Reel Fish'nfishing guide, Bay City, (989) 529-4097
Towns that put you close to the Tobacco River
- Beaverton3 miles
- Gladwin9 miles
- Coleman11 miles
- Sanford13 miles
Neighboring streams to the Tobacco River
- North Branch Tobacco River10 miles
- Cedar River, Gladwin County10 miles
- Middle Branch Tobacco River12 miles
- Salt River, Midland County12 miles
The counties around the Tobacco River
- Gladwin County
- Midland County
Piscifun spinning and baitcasting picks for the Tobacco River
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Lakes and streams near Tobacco River, pictured
Photo: Christian Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
Photo: Notorious4life ( Uploads ), CC0 1.0
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Photo: Dwight Burdette, CC BY 3.0
Fishing the Tobacco River: questions anglers ask
How do I find the Tobacco River on a Michigan map?
The stream threads Gladwin County and Midland County.
How does the MDNR type the Tobacco River for trout?
It has no trout regulation Type.
Where are flow readings for the Tobacco River posted?
It has 1 USGS gauge, shown in the flow band.
Which launches put boats onto the Tobacco River?
Walk-in fishing only on record.
What are the trout limits on the Tobacco River?
The Michigan statewide rows, with county exceptions on top.
What does a visitor from out of state pay for the Tobacco 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 Tobacco River pick up worms?
Smith's Landing, about 2 miles away.
Is the Tobacco River Blue Ribbon water?
No MDNR fish list is published for it.
Which Census town is nearest the Tobacco River?
The closest Michigan place is Beaverton, 3 miles out.
Give the Tobacco River a full afternoon
Buy the all-species license before the trip.