What Backus Creek Flooding Does to the Fishery

Backus Creek runs through Roscommon County and drains into the Au Sable River system, which means high water here affects walleye and pike habitat downstream for weeks. When Backus Creek floods—usually in spring or after heavy rain—the creek rises fast, pushes sediment and debris into the main channel, and temporarily muddies water that's normally clear enough to sight-fish. The flooding also changes current speed and depth, which moves fish to different holding zones than they occupy during normal flows.

For anglers, this matters because the Au Sable's walleye bite changes dramatically when Backus Creek is running high. Fish move to slower water behind structure, abandon shallow flats, and concentrate in deeper pools where current is broken. If you're planning a trip to fish the Au Sable near the Backus confluence, checking the creek's water level before you go is as important as checking the weather.

Key Takeaways

  • Backus Creek flooding raises the Au Sable's water level and muddies the main channel, pushing walleye and pike into slower, deeper water for one to three weeks after the event.
  • The USGS maintains a real-time stream gauge on Backus Creek that shows current flow and recent trends, updated every 15 minutes.
  • High water makes the Au Sable wider and faster, so adjust your casting distance and use heavier jigs or live bait rigs to stay in the strike zone.
  • Flooding often improves fishing in the days immediately after the water begins to recede, because fish are concentrated and feeding actively.

Reading the USGS Stream Gauge

The U.S. Geological Survey operates a stream gauge on Backus Creek near Roscommon (station number 04127000) that records water level and flow in real time. You can access this data free at waterdata.usgs.gov by searching for the station number or "Backus Creek near Roscommon." The gauge updates every 15 minutes and shows both current conditions and a graph of the past week's flow, so you can see whether the creek is rising, falling, or stable.

The gauge reports flow in cubic feet per second (CFS). Backus Creek's normal summer baseflow is roughly 50 to 100 CFS. When it reaches 200 to 300 CFS, the creek is noticeably higher and the Au Sable will be affected. Above 500 CFS, the creek is in flood stage and the Au Sable will be significantly muddied and swollen. The gauge also records the water temperature, which helps you decide whether walleye will be active or lethargic.

How Flooding Changes the Au Sable Bite

When Backus Creek is high, the Au Sable's water color shifts from tea-stained to chocolate within hours of the peak flow. Walleye rely on low-light conditions to hunt, so muddy water actually improves their feeding window—they'll bite in full daylight when visibility is poor. However, they also move away from shallow structure and toward deeper pools where they can feel vibrations and lateral-line signals from your lure.

Pike respond differently. High water and current make pike more aggressive, and they often move into the main channel to intercept baitfish that the flood has displaced. This is one of the few times pike fishing improves during a flood event, especially if you're throwing large streamers or live shiners in the deeper runs.

The bite typically peaks in the two to five days after the water begins to recede. Fish are still concentrated, the water is clearing enough for them to see your lure, and they're hungry after the disruption. Once the creek returns to normal flow and the Au Sable clears completely, fish scatter back to their usual haunts and the bite returns to baseline.

Tackle and Technique Adjustments

High water demands heavier jigs and faster presentations than you'd normally use on the Au Sable. Switch to 3/8-ounce or 1/2-ounce jigs instead of your usual 1/4-ounce, and pair them with live shiners or crawlers. The extra weight keeps your lure in the strike zone longer as it drifts through deeper pools, and the faster sink rate compensates for the increased current speed.

Live bait rigs work exceptionally well during and immediately after flooding. A three-way rig with a 1-ounce sinker and a 2-foot leader to a live shiner or crawler lets you hold bottom in fast current while the bait swims freely above. Cast upstream and let the current carry your rig into the deeper holes where walleye congregate.

If you prefer casting, use larger crankbaits or swimbaits that displace more water and create stronger vibrations. The muddy water means fish are hunting by feel and sound, not sight, so a 4-inch shad-pattern swimbait will outfish a smaller finesse lure every time.

Safety and Access During High Water

Backus Creek flooding raises the Au Sable's current speed and water level, which can make wading dangerous or impossible depending on the severity. Before you head out, check the USGS gauge and ask yourself whether you can safely wade in water that's moving faster and deeper than usual. If the gauge shows flow above 500 CFS, wading is risky; consider fishing from a boat or waiting for the water to recede.

The Au Sable's banks can also become unstable during high water, especially in areas where erosion is already active. Avoid undercut banks and areas where trees are leaning over the water. If you're fishing from a boat, stay alert for debris—logs, branches, and trash move downstream during floods and can snag your motor or swamp your boat if you're not paying attention.

Timing Your Trip Around Flooding

If you're planning a walleye trip to the Au Sable and Backus Creek is currently high, you have two options: fish the rising or peak water if you're comfortable with muddy conditions and faster current, or wait three to five days for the water to recede. The falling-water period is usually the most productive, because fish are still concentrated but visibility is improving and they're actively feeding.

Check the USGS forecast and recent precipitation data before you book. If heavy rain is predicted for your planned dates, consider shifting your trip forward or back by a week. The Au Sable's walleye bite is strong enough that waiting for stable water conditions usually pays off in more fish and a safer, more enjoyable day on the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the Au Sable to clear after Backus Creek floods?

Water clarity typically improves within 24 to 48 hours of peak flow, though the water may remain slightly off-color for three to five days depending on how much sediment the creek carried. The USGS gauge shows flow trends, so once the CFS reading starts dropping consistently, you can expect the water to clear within a couple of days.

Can I fish the Au Sable safely during high water?

Wading is risky when the Au Sable is swollen and current is fast. If the Backus Creek gauge reads above 500 CFS, consider fishing from a boat or waiting for conditions to improve. Always wear a life jacket and stay alert for debris moving downstream.

Do walleye bite better in muddy water or clear water?

Walleye feed more actively in muddy water because low visibility gives them a hunting advantage. However, they're easier to locate and catch in clear water because you can see structure and fish are more spread out. Both conditions produce, but muddy water often means faster action.

What's the best bait to use when Backus Creek is flooding?

Live shiners and crawlers work best during high water because they create vibrations and scent that walleye can detect in murky conditions. Large swimbaits and crankbaits are also effective because they displace water and generate strong lateral-line signals.

Should I avoid the Au Sable entirely if Backus Creek is high?

No. High water changes the bite but doesn't shut it down. Many anglers find the concentrated fish and aggressive feeding during the falling-water phase more productive than normal conditions. Just adjust your tackle, fish deeper, and stay safe.