Reconnaissance of the upper Au Sable River a cold-water river in the north-central part of Michigan's southern peninsula

The Au Sable River is one of Michigan’s most popular trout streams and canoe trails. Its riverside campgrounds are enjoyed by thousands of campers each year, and many cabins and homes have been built on its banks. At present, interests of the different recreationists – fishermen, canoers, campers, and riverside property owners – conflict. The conflict results from the face that the recreational potential is limited by the hydrologic characteristics of the river – its streamflow, quality of water, and character of stream channel, bed, and banks. The purpose of this report is to describe these characteristics and to show how they relate to the recreational potential of the stream.

From its headwaters near Frederic the Au Sable flows southward to Grayling, then generally eastward to Lake Huron at Oscoda. Recreational use of the river is concentrated in the segment starting at Grayling and extending downstream to Wakeley Bridge, about 15 river miles. This report is concerned mainly with this part of the river.