It’s Getting Pretty Fishy in Auburn Hills

Posted by – Shawn Keenan, Water Resources Coordinator

Among the many things that make Auburn Hills such a unique place to live, is this: a river runs through it, just like the movie of the same name.  And, while we may not have Brad Pitt fly-fishing its riffles and runs, the eleven miles of the Clinton River and its tributaries flowing through the City offers a lot to citizens.

Those who venture out from behind the windshield and leave their cars in the parking lot quickly discover its natural beauty… its colorful local history… its broad, green corridor of open space offering a reprieve from busy daily life and bustling roads.  Recreation is certainly near the top of the Clinton River’s list of assets, too.  Such as, paddling your kayak or canoe down the winding river, walking and cycling along the Clinton River Trail, picnicking with the family at Riverside Park, or viewing nature along the river at River Woods Park.

Unbeknownst to many residents, there is also the fun and challenge of fishing the river’s pools and logjams in hope of catching trout, salmon, smallmouth bass, or panfish.  It is a pretty well-kept secret that the Clinton River already holds a surprisingly nice sport fishery.

When seasonal rains fill the river with a good flow of water, steelhead trout run up the river in the spring to spawn.  Salmon repeat the feat in the fall.  A few savvy anglers have discovered that brown trout, from nearby Paint Creek, leave their home waters to roam the Clinton River’s main branch in the Auburn Hills area each spring, retreating when the summer sun warms the water.  Many parents and kids have fun on a summer’s day casting a line for trout or bluegill at Riverside Park.

But, the secret of the Clinton River’s fishing fun is out and spreading, due much in part from the well attended Auburn Hills Fishing Derby, held each year in June.  This year’s derby is scheduled for Saturday, June 9th in Downtown’s Riverside Park.  See you there!