Whirlpool Au Sable River

Boating rules

• Slow, no-wake speed · a zone at or next to this launch rule

From the boating rules map of Michigan Department of Natural Resources, read October 18, 2026. A map of rules is a guide: the regulation's text and the posted signs govern.

Conditions

• Weather forecast for this launch · National Weather Service
• Water level, flow, water temperature at the AU SABLE RIVER NEAR AU SABLE, MI gauge · USGS, 1.9 mi away on Au Sable River

On Au Sable River

The Au Sable River is a 138-mile river in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula. It begins in Frederic Township, Crawford County, where Kolke and Bradford creeks meet. From there it flows south and then east through Grayling, where the East Branch joins it. The South and North branches join in eastern Crawford County. The river then crosses Oscoda, Alcona and Iosco counties and reaches Lake Huron at Au Sable and Oscoda. Six hydroelectric dams were built in its basin between 1911 and 1924. The ponds behind five of them are used for power boating, water skiing and sailing. Most of the main stem flows through or beside the Huron-Manistee National Forest. The 23 miles from Mio Pond to Alcona Pond were designated a National Scenic River on October 4, 1984. More about Au Sable River.

Boating rules on Au Sable River

• Slow-no wake speed from the mouth at Lake Huron upstream about 2.5 miles to the Detroit and Mackinaw railroad bridge source
• Slow-no wake speed from the Detroit and Mackinac railroad bridge upstream to Foote Dam source
• National Scenic River: special use permit required for commercial, event or groups of 75 or more; none for 74 or fewer source
• National Scenic River: camping prohibited except at designated campgrounds or campsites source
• Recreation fee (day use) at 4001 Bridge Canoe Landing source
• Holy Waters (Burtons Landing to Wakeley Bridge): catch-and-release, fly fishing only, year-round source

Community

Where people who use Au Sable River talk about it.

• Anglers of the Au Sable Association
• Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance Association
• Au Sable National Scenic River - Huron-Manistee National Forests Agency
• The Anglers of the Au Sable (Facebook page) Facebook
• Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance (Facebook page) Facebook
• Au sable river report - Michigan Sportsman forum Forum
• Au Sable River Map: Access Points, Flows and Float Times Link
• Search Reddit: r/Michigan Reddit
• Search all of Reddit for Au Sable River, Michigan Reddit

Nearby launches

• Whirlpool Access · 0.4 mi · Au Sable River
• Foote Dam · 1.9 mi · Au Sable River
• Van Etten Lake SFCG · 3.1 mi · Van Etten Lake
• Harbor Street Boat Ramp · 3.7 mi · Au Sable River
• Au Sable River Mouth · 4.0 mi · Au Sable River
• Cedar Lake Boat Launch · 6.3 mi · Cedar Lake