Copyright 2011 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Manistee River Michigan
The Manistee River is a tributary of Lake Michigan that
has a good population of trout as well as steelhead and
salmon runs from the lake. The upper river provides the
trout fishing and the tailwater below Tippy Dam provides
the salmon and steelhead runs. Fly fishing the "Big"
Manistee River, as it is called by the locals, provides
year-round opportunities.
The Manistee River begins near Mancelona and flows
about a hundred miles into Lake Michigan. The
uppermost thirty miles of the river produces the best
trout fishing opportunities. It begins as a small stream
and increases in size up to a hundred feet in width. The
uppermost part has mostly brook trout with browns
increasing in population downstream. The lower section
also has a population of rainbow trout.
Access is easy. The Manistee River starts out near
Michigan #38 and flows downstream to Michigan #66.
The stream bottom consist of gravel and sand. There's
lots of cover for the brown trout with logs and undercut
banks plentiful. The flow is moderate with some sharp
bends with deep pools and runs.
The Manistee River has a special regulation section that
located from Michigan #72 downstream to the CCC
Bridge. Only artificial flies may be used. Fly fishing the
Manistee River in this section is excellent for trout with
trophy size fish fairly common. There's plenty of access
to the river from several roads and many bridges.
The Manistee River is most noted for its salmon and
steelhead fishing. It has some huge runs of fish that
enter the lower section of the river below Tippy Dam.
The stream has a rock and sand bottom very suitable
for spawning steelhead and salmon. It's a beautiful
stream with long deep pools, and deep runs and riffles.
It can be fished from the banks, waded or fished from a
drift boat. Fishing from a boat gives one the opportunity
to cover more water and is preferred by most serious
anglers. Some areas are not suitable for wading and
some are.
Steelhead and salmon also run up into Bear Creek, a
tributary to the Manistee. The creek provides excellent
water for steelhead and salmon and is a preferred
choice by many anglers. The lower section of the river
can be accessed easily from River Road and East River
Road. Many roads lead off Michigan #55.
The Manistee River is a very versatile river with lots of
fly fishing opportunities year-round. Although it's best
known for its salmon and steelhead runs, don't overlook
the trout fishing above the dam.
Seasons:
The season varies with the species and location.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time fly fishing the Manistee River
for trout because of the numerous hatches. Steelhead
can be caught as late as the end of April depending on
the weather.
Summer:
Summertime continues to be a good time for trout.
Fall:
Salmon first enter the river and the steelhead follow.
Steelhead begin entering the Manistee River as early as
the middle of September. The fishing is good throughout
the Fall. Trout fishing remains good during the Fall.
Winter:
All but the coldest days of Winter can be good for
steelhead. The extremely cold water of January and
February can make the fish sluggish but otherwise,
fishing remains good throughout the Winter. .
Fly Fishing Gear, Trout, Steelhead and Salmon
Flies
The Manistee River is a tributary of Lake Michigan that
has a good population of trout as well as steelhead and
salmon runs from the lake. The upper river provides the
trout fishing and the tailwater below Tippy Dam provides
the salmon and steelhead runs. Fly fishing the "Big"
Manistee River, as it is called by the locals, provides
year-round opportunities.
The Manistee River begins near Mancelona and flows
about a hundred miles into Lake Michigan. The
uppermost thirty miles of the river produces the best
trout fishing opportunities. It begins as a small stream
and increases in size up to a hundred feet in width. The
uppermost part has mostly brook trout with browns
increasing in population downstream. The lower section
also has a population of rainbow trout.
Access is easy. The Manistee River starts out near
Michigan #38 and flows downstream to Michigan #66.
The stream bottom consist of gravel and sand. There's
lots of cover for the brown trout with logs and undercut
banks plentiful. The flow is moderate with some sharp
bends with deep pools and runs.
The Manistee River has a special regulation section that
located from Michigan #72 downstream to the CCC
Bridge. Only artificial flies may be used. Fly fishing the
Manistee River in this section is excellent for trout with
trophy size fish fairly common. There's plenty of access
to the river from several roads and many bridges.
The Manistee River is most noted for its salmon and
steelhead fishing. It has some huge runs of fish that
enter the lower section of the river below Tippy Dam.
The stream has a rock and sand bottom very suitable
for spawning steelhead and salmon. It's a beautiful
stream with long deep pools, and deep runs and riffles.
It can be fished from the banks, waded or fished from a
drift boat. Fishing from a boat gives one the opportunity
to cover more water and is preferred by most serious
anglers. Some areas are not suitable for wading and
some are.
Steelhead and salmon also run up into Bear Creek, a
tributary to the Manistee. The creek provides excellent
water for steelhead and salmon and is a preferred
choice by many anglers. The lower section of the river
can be accessed easily from River Road and East River
Road. Many roads lead off Michigan #55.
The Manistee River is a very versatile river with lots of
fly fishing opportunities year-round. Although it's best
known for its salmon and steelhead runs, don't overlook
the trout fishing above the dam.
Seasons:
The season varies with the species and location.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time fly fishing the Manistee River
for trout because of the numerous hatches. Steelhead
can be caught as late as the end of April depending on
the weather.
Summer:
Summertime continues to be a good time for trout.
Fall:
Salmon first enter the river and the steelhead follow.
Steelhead begin entering the Manistee River as early as
the middle of September. The fishing is good throughout
the Fall. Trout fishing remains good during the Fall.
Winter:
All but the coldest days of Winter can be good for
steelhead. The extremely cold water of January and
February can make the fish sluggish but otherwise,
fishing remains good throughout the Winter. .
Fly Fishing Gear, Trout, Steelhead and Salmon
Flies
| Type of Stream Freestone and Tailwater Species Steelhead Salmon Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Brook Trout Size Medium to Large Location Northwest Michigan Nearest Towns Wellston Mancelona Mesick Season Varies with species Special Regulations Yes, be sure you check them prior to fishing. Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Michigan Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart: Coming Soon USGS Real Time Stream Flows: Near Sherman Near Mesick Near Wellston Fly Fishing Gear, Trout, Steelhead and Salmon Flies |
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Photo Courtesy of Stephen Lamb
Manistee River Michigan
| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |