Otter River

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 9

The Otter River, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is a pristine coldwater trout stream that offers excellent angling opportunities. Described as a 20-foot wide, knee-deep waterway, the Otter River is ideal for both fly and spincasting techniques. The river features a diverse habitat with sweeping meander bends, log cross-vanes, and gravel riffle/pool complexes. Its clear waters flow through Baraga County and eventually join the Sturgeon River, making it part of the Lake Superior watershed. This scenic river offers anglers a chance to experience quality fishing in a relatively undisturbed natural setting.

Michigan licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

Burbot

Lota lota

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Steelhead

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Brook Trout2,000 fish · 5.5 inMay 29, 2025
Brook Trout2,309 fish · 4.5 inMay 27, 2025
Brook Trout1,000 fish · 6.4 inMay 30, 2023
Brook Trout1,000 fish · 6.4 inMay 30, 2023
Brook Trout1,500 fish · 6.0 inMay 24, 2023

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 Otter 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.

Boat Ramp

Know where you can legally fish on Otter 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 Otter 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 Otter River to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Otter River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

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