Van Etten Lake
Van Etten Lake is the lake right out the back door at Oscoda Lakehouse, and it's a legitimate fishery in its own right. The 1,320-acre lake holds largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, and yellow perch. Bass fishing is the draw for most visitors, with weed edges along the shallower north end producing fish from late May through September.
Walleye and pike are in the lake too, though they take more time to locate. Early morning and evening are the most productive windows. Pike especially tend to hold near the marshy coves on the north end of the lake.
The easiest access is the dock at Oscoda Lakehouse. Cast toward structure along the shoreline or work a topwater lure at first light for the best results. If you want to cover more water, kayaks are included with the house.
The Au Sable River
The Au Sable River is one of the most famous trout rivers in the Midwest, and the lower section that runs through Oscoda delivers fishing that matches the reputation. The river holds brown trout year-round, with the best dry-fly action in June and July during the hex hatch. Steelhead run the lower river in spring, typically March through May. Fall brings the salmon run, with Chinook and coho stacking up in September and October.
For wade fishing near Oscoda, the stretch below Foote Dam is the most accessible. The current here is strong and the water is cold even in summer, so waders and felt-soled wading boots are the right call. The riverbank access points along River Road give you multiple entry options without needing a boat.
Drift boat and canoe fishermen have a significant advantage on the Au Sable, covering more water and reaching fish that never see pressure from the bank. Several local outfitters offer guide trips on the lower river.
Foote Pond
Foote Pond is the impoundment created by Foote Dam on the Au Sable River, roughly six miles west of Oscoda. It's a long, narrow reservoir with good walleye, smallmouth bass, and northern pike. The slower, deeper water of the impoundment is a different experience from either Van Etten or the river itself.
Walleye fishing on Foote Pond is best in low-light conditions, early morning and dusk, and picks up in fall when water temperatures drop. The tailwater below the dam is also worth a look for trout, particularly in spring and fall when fish stack up near the structure.
Lake Huron
Lake Huron is accessible at the mouth of the Au Sable River in Oscoda, where the river meets the big lake. Charter fishing out of the Oscoda Marina targets Chinook salmon, coho, and lake trout in Lake Huron. The salmon fishing peaks in August and September, with some of the bigger fish in the state caught just offshore here.
Shore fishing near the river mouth is productive for steelhead and salmon in season. The river mouth itself can be waded at low water, and the pier on the north side of the river is a popular spot during runs.
Licenses and Regulations
Any Michigan angler 17 or older needs a valid Michigan fishing license. You can buy one online at michigan.gov/dnr or in person at the Walmart in Oscoda. The Au Sable has some special regulations on certain stretches, particularly catch-and-release requirements on parts of the upper river, so it's worth confirming the rules for wherever you plan to fish before you go.
Season dates vary by species, but bass season on inland lakes runs from late May through November. Trout fishing on the Au Sable runs year-round on the lower river below Mio.