West Branch Otter River

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 6

The West Branch Otter River is a picturesque coldwater trout stream in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, flowing through Houghton County in a semi-wilderness setting. This 15-40 foot wide stream rises from small unnamed ponds and swamp seepage in southwest Houghton County, west of Nisula, and flows through an undulating plateau of mixed hardwood and coniferous forests interspersed with swamps before joining the North Branch to form the main Otter River. The West Branch is characterized by moderate velocity, very clear water, and varying habitat from tag alder-lined headwaters to hilly forestland downstream. With most of the stream bordered by state ownership, it offers a fair brook trout fishery along with steelhead runs, though the best brook trout fishing is found downstream from Pike Lake Road.

Michigan licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

Steelhead

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Brook Trout2,309 fish · 4.5 inMay 27, 2025
Brook Trout1,500 fish · 6.0 inMay 24, 2023
Brook Trout1,500 fish · 6.0 inMay 27, 2020
Brook Trout1,500 fish · 5.6 inMay 15, 2019
Brook Trout1,000 fish · 5.6 inMay 15, 2019

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.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on West Branch 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.

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

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