Quality of Angling The Au Sable is easily the best trout fishery in the Midwest and ranks in the top 20 in the nation. The Holy Water is one of the most famous and most productive stretches of trout water in the country, but less famous, unnamed stretches can be just as rich and fruitful. The river gets big as it moves downstream and picks up tributaries, but the deep runs and deep pools hold lots of fish. The South and North Branches of the Au Sable have quality angling and predictable hatches of their own. Boaters drop chains behind the craft to slow it down, poling the riverboats around the curves and from bank to bank.
Some fishermen use aluminum canoes.
The section from the upper mainstem down to the end of the special regulations has easy wading thanks to a firm gravel and sandy bottom, stable water level, and easy gradient. Many float the river, find a spot to wade, and then anchor up and fish the area. Below where the South Branch of the Au Sable enters the river, wading becomes treacherous and the Au Sable becomes big water. From this point downstream, floating is the only way to navigate the river. The Au Sable is a long, big river with more than enough room and good fishing water for everyone.