Jordan River

Boat Ramps: 9
Access Points: 21
Species: 12

The Jordan River in Michigan is a pristine coldwater stream that flows approximately 23 miles through the northwest Lower Peninsula. Starting from springs in Antrim County, this beautiful blue-ribbon trout stream meanders through cedar swamps and forests before emptying into Lake Charlevoix. Renowned for its extremely stable flows and exceptional water quality, the Jordan was the first river designated under Michigan's Natural Rivers Act in 1972. The river drops approximately 485 feet in elevation throughout its course, creating excellent fish habitat with high gradient sections, particularly in the upper reaches. With 90% of its flow coming from groundwater sources, the Jordan maintains cold temperatures year-round, rarely exceeding 68°F even in summer, making it an ideal habitat for coldwater species and a destination for anglers seeking a high-quality fishing experience.

Michigan licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Jordan River and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Chinook Salmon

Oncorhynchus tshawytscha

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Rock Bass

Ambloplites rupestris

Steelhead

Yellow Bass

Morone mississippiensis

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Lake Whitefish21,488 fish · 0.5 inFeb 11, 2026
Rainbow Trout8,499 fish · 7.6 inApr 14, 2025
Lake Whitefish25,209 fish · 0.5 inFeb 4, 2025
Rainbow Trout8,599 fish · 7.8 inApr 8, 2024
Rainbow Trout8,600 fish · 7.8 inApr 8, 2024

Source

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Jordan River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Jordan River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Michigan licenses and regulations

Michigan Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Michigan Fishing License

You must purchase a fishing license if you are 17 years of age or older to fish. If you are under 17, you may fish without a license, but you are required to observe all fishing rules and regulations. Any adult actively assisting a minor who does not have a license must have a fishing license. Please note, a license is required when targeting fish, amphibians, crustaceans and reptiles. Michigan's annual fishing license is valid from March 1 of a given year through March 31 of the following year.

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Michigan Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Michigan Stream Access Laws

The public has a right to use a waterway for pleasure, travel, or commercial navigation. The right extends to wading on the streambed or traveling on ice. While constant movement is not required, neither can a vessel be permanently moored or use the waterway as a parking spot. The riparian owner (the owner of the land along the water) owns the streambed, but that right is subordinate to the right of navigation. On non-navigable waters the riparian owner has the right to fish and can exclude the public from fishing on such waters. But on navigable waters, the rights of the private owners are inferior to the public trust right to fish the waters.

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Take Jordan River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Jordan River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Jordan River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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