Upper Manistee River

Fly Fishing & Fishing Report

The Manistee River in Michigan, is also known as the “Big” Manistee or "Big River", runs into Lake Michigan, and has a great resident trout population (one of the better rivers to fly fish in the Midwest) with great runs of steelhead and salmon.  It is a medium sized trout stream in its upper reaches (CCC Bridge area) and a large dynamic steelhead and salmon fishery below Tippy Dam.  When the demand for trout fishing slows in the fall in the upper section, salmon pick up the pace in August, with some great early streamer fishing.  Large runs of Chinook and Coho salmon enter the river in September. Fall run steelhead follow the salmon into the river and top the list of great fish on a fly in early October (steelhead enter the river to feed on salmon roe). 

Originating a few miles to the east of Mancelona, the Manistee flows south for approximately twelve miles while paralleling the famous AuSable River which is just a few miles to the east.  The difference between the two rivers is that after paralleling each other, the AuSable turns east (Grayling Michigan) and flows into Lake Huron while the Manistee turns southwest, travels across the state and flows into Lake Michigan (offering many miles of great fly fishing opportunities).  The Manistee flows for nearly a hundred miles from its headwaters to Lake Michigan.

The best trout water is found in its upper reaches from the vicinity of Mancelona Road (M-38) downstream over thirty miles to M-66.  This stretch of river is small at first (approximately 15-25 feet wide) and gradually gets larger and swifter as it nears the M-66 Bridge (approximately 100-120 feet wide).  The upper reaches of this stretch are home to beautiful brook trout and some great brown trout in small water.  The farther downstream you venture the more brown trout you will find and the bigger the fish!  There is also a healthy population of rainbow trout in the lower reaches of this section (rainbows up to the 10lb range can be found).  The size of the fish can vary greatly, so cover a good amount of water. A guide and a drift boat can help your chances at a trophy trout! The overall consensus is that the farther downstream you venture, the larger the fish (there are very large trout found in the mid to lower reaches of this section).

Access can be found in many areas along the Manistee River.  Access to the upper section of Manistee River can be found near M-38 (Mancelona Road) and is best fished with a light fly rod (3-5 weight).  Below Mancelona Road you will find access in the town of Deward off of Fayette Road, County Road 612 Bridge, the CCC Bridge area (King Rd), and Sharon Bridge area.  There are also plenty of other areas to access the upper river (see map). 

 Access to the lower river can be found from numerous side roads off of M-55.  River Road (parallels the north side of the river) and East River Road are found near the river, and lead to Tippy Dam.  North High Bridge Road crosses the river a short distance below Tippy Dam (High Bridge Access) while other roads parallel and lead to the river (see maps). 

The river consists of a sand, silt, and gravel bottom with  good amounts of fallen logs, undercut banks, deep runs, beautiful pools, and sharp bends all creating good holding habitat for trout.  In the upper reaches, you will find a lot of overhanging brush and good cover to provide shelter for the trout.  There is a special regulations area for artificial flies only ( M-72 downstream to CCC Bridge).  This is a productive stretch of river that has good access and a lot of good holding water (good numbers of trophy trout).  The special regulations put upon this stretch have helped to preserve this great resource. "Catch and release and the future will remain".

Below Tippy Dam is the area of the Manistee River known for its quality runs of steelhead and salmon.  Every year anglers come from around the World to fish for the thousands of steelhead and salmon that enter its lower river (no fish ladder at Tippy Dam).  The water is big and in some areas very tough to wade.  A Guide and a boat will certainly help to cover the water.  The river below Tippy Dam flows aggressively towards Lake Michigan over a sand and gravel bottom.  Fallen logs, deep pools, swift runs, and charming riffles all help to create classic holding water for steelhead, salmon, trout and smallmouth bass.  Bear Creek is a feeder to the Manistee that is found on the north side of the river.  This creek is also an excellent fishery for steelhead and can be found along River Road near where it enters the Manistee or off of Coates Highway to the north. This feeder stream to the Manistee can produce some great fishing!

The Manistee River is most famous for its steelhead and salmon fishing, but produces some of the best trout fishing on a fly in the united states at times (Hex hatch).  Trout fishing is excellent and provides anglers with exciting action on both the surface and subsurface for a wide size variety of trout from little brookies to large shouldered brown and rainbow trout.  Hatches are prolific stirring the surface with hungry trout during the spring and summer.  Streamer fishing can produce big chases from monster brown trout in the spring, and during high water periods throughout the year.  Steelhead and salmon can be caught on Great Lakes fly patterns; egg flies, Hex nymphs, caddis larva, stone fly nymhs, as well as wet flies, spey flies, leeches, and streamers.  If you’re looking for an excellent Lake Michigan tributary for exciting steelhead and salmon fly fishing or for a great trout fishery to wet a fly, take a look at the Manistee River.

Fall Steelhead fishing on a fly can be awesome below Tippy dam from October through December. Water temps can turn these silver bullets into freight trains, and make some of the larger fish almost unlandable! Fishing with a guide will allow you to cover water and get you over the best fishing the river has to offer.

Although the access and wade fishing is good on this river, the use of a guide will always provide a safe, exciting educational experience, and put you on the best fishing the river has to offer at that time of year.