The Au Sable River enters Lake Huron in downtown Oscoda, where visitors can walk along the river mouth, fish from the pier, or launch kayaks and canoes. Oscoda Beach Park sits beside the river channel and provides easy public access to the water.
Sweetwater Sea Bed and Breakfast sits directly on the Lake Huron shoreline about ten minutes north of Oscoda. Visitors staying at our bed & breakfast along Michigan’s Sunrise Coast often spend a day on the Au Sable River before returning to our Lake Huron shoreline in the evening.
The Au Sable River is one of Michigan’s most famous outdoor destinations, known for canoeing, trout fishing, and scenic forest landscapes. Flowing through the Huron National Forest before meeting Lake Huron in Oscoda, the river offers miles of quiet water, wooded shoreline, and easy access for paddlers and anglers.
Here are several popular river access points, and canoe liveries are about fifteen minutes away.
The Au Sable River is internationally known for trout fishing. The river supports strong populations of brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout, attracting anglers throughout the year.
Fly fishing is especially popular along the upper sections of the river, while anglers near Oscoda often fish for trout and steelhead closer to the river mouth where the Au Sable meets Lake Huron.
Spring and fall are particularly active seasons for fishing, although the river supports anglers year-round.
The Au Sable River is widely considered one of the best canoeing rivers in the Midwest. Its gentle current, clear water, and forest scenery make it accessible for both beginners and experienced paddlers. It is one of Michigan's largest rivers and one that winds through wilderness and the Huron National Forest. If you get on the river early, you will likely see deer, beavers, eagles, and a variety of waterfowl. The river current is slow and friendly, making it ideal for young and old. Kayak, canoe, or float down the river! Whatever you choose, being on the water is the most fun and refreshing way to take in the natural beauty of the up-north woods.
Several canoe liveries near Oscoda offer half-day and full-day trips along different sections of the river. Many paddlers choose routes that pass through quiet stretches of the Huron National Forest, where wildlife sightings and peaceful scenery are common.
Popular paddling sections near Oscoda include:
Each section offers slightly different scenery, but all feature calm water and wooded shoreline.
Oscoda Canoe Rental
