” I fish because I love to; Because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful and hate the environs where crowds of people are found, which are invariably ugly; Because of all the television commercials, cocktail parties and assorted social posturing I thus escape because, in a world where most men seem to spend their lives doing things they hate, my fishing is at once an endless source of delight and an act of small rebellion, because trout do not lie or cheat and cannot be bought or bribed or impressed by power, but respond only to quietude and humility and endless patience; Because I suspect that men are going along this way for the last time, and I for one don’t want to waste the trip; Because mercifully there are no telephones on trout waters; Because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness; Because bourbon out of an old tin cup tastes better out there; Because maybe someday I will catch a mermaid; and, finally, not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other concerns of men are equally unimportant and not nearly as much fun. – Robert Traver “
History of the Pere Marquette River
In 1884 the first German Brown Trout to be introduced to North America was in the Pere Marquette River.
In 1885 the McCloud strain of Rainbow Trout were planted in the Pere Marquette River. Two years later, In 1887, Steelhead started showing up as a result of the 1885 planting because no one knew they were in the mix. Each year the descendants of those Steelhead migrate up the river from mid October through the beginning of May and then back out to Lake Michigan only to return again each year.
In 1964 the Coho or Silver Salmon were planted in the river. Coho migrate up the river mid-October through December.
In 1967 the Chinook or King Salmon were planted in the river. Kings migrate up the river mid-August through mid-October.
Because the river is a migratory fishery it’s open 365 days per year