Boyne River

About

Through Charlevoix County's rolling terrain, the Boyne River splits into north and south branches before converging near Boyne City and flowing 24 miles total to Lake Charlevoix. The North Branch holds wild brown trout in its headwater reaches, while the South Branch supports both brook and brown trout populations. Below the Boyne City Dam, the lower river transforms into a steelhead and lake-run brown trout fishery — a recent development, with the Lake Charlevoix steelhead program launching in 2024. At 95 CFS average flow with an optimal range of 40–250, the Boyne runs Class I throughout its length. No USGS gauge monitors this system, making field assessment essential for timing trips. As a Michigan Designated Trout Stream within the Lake Charlevoix watershed, the Boyne benefits from cold water inputs that maintain trout habitat through its various branches.