The watershed for the River Raisin encompasses 1067 square miles and dumps
into Lake Erie at Monroe Michigan. The watershed has branches in
Hillsdale, Jackson, Washtenaw, Lenawee, and Monroe counties; and even has
tributaries that start in Ohio.
Sixty five per cent of the
watershed is used for agriculture, which can cause problems when we have a
large rain event. In the event of a major rain fall the river will run
quite dirty in excess of a week depending on how far reaching the storms
were throughout the watershed.
When the river is running at normal
flows, it is actually quite clear when you get into the river. Looking at
it as you cross on any of the bridges is deceiving; it looks dirty due to
the sediment laying on the bottom. Sight fishing for bass and carp is
very possible.
Fly fishing on the Raisin is best between Ida-Maybee
Road and the city of Monroe; don’t overlook fishing right in town.
Access is at the bridges and parks located along the river.
The
main target for fly fishers on the Raisin would be Smallmouth Bass. The
other species you will catch when targeting bass will be Rockbass, Pike,
the occasional Bluegill; and if you’re fishing nymphs, Carp. Sight
fishing Carp on the Raisin can be awesome, fish a nymph with lots of
movement to it.
