Manistee River Trout Fishing Conditions
The Manistee River rises near Grayling and flows 190 miles southwest to Lake Michigan at Manistee. It is Michigan's most versatile trout river — cold, wild brown trout in the upper reaches near Grayling, a powerful tailwater fishery below Tippy Dam, and one of the state's great steelhead runs in the lower river.
The upper Manistee near Grayling shares its headwaters region with the AuSable but fishes differently — wider, heavier, and with more gradient than the Holy Water. The CCC Bridge campground is a classic starting point. Wild brown trout to 20 inches live in the upper reaches, rising to caddis and mayflies on good evenings through the spring and early summer.
The middle Manistee through Wexford and Missaukee counties flows through some of the least-developed river corridor in the Lower Peninsula. The High Bridge area and the stretch between Sharon and Tippy Dam offer excellent wading access and consistent brown trout fishing. This section carries significant water and requires attention to wading safety during high spring flows.
Tippy Dam Tailwater
The Manistee below Tippy Dam near Wellston is one of Michigan's best tailwater fisheries. Cold, consistent releases from the dam create year-round trout habitat in an otherwise marginal temperature zone. The water here is heavily oxygenated and runs remarkably clear. Large brown trout hold in the deep runs below the dam and in the current seams throughout the tailwater reach. Nymphing with size 16-20 patterns in the riffles above the deeper pools accounts for many fish.
The lower Manistee below Tippy Dam also receives strong steelhead runs beginning in October and running through May. Spring steelhead — the wild Little Manistee strain that is stocked throughout West Michigan — move through the lower river in April. Fall steelhead enter as early as October. These are large, powerful fish in a powerful river. Swinging spey flies and drifting egg patterns both produce.
Hatches and Flies
The upper Manistee carries strong caddis hatches in May, good Sulphur fishing in June, and the Hex hatch in late June through mid-July. The middle and lower sections have their own distinct hatch activity. Streamers — Woolly Buggers, articulated patterns, and sculpin imitations — produce large browns in the deeper runs throughout the season, particularly in October and early morning hours.
Access
The Manistee River Trail follows the river for many miles through the Manistee National Forest, providing outstanding wading and bank access. Key state access sites include CCC Bridge, High Bridge, Smithville, Tippy Dam, and Pine Street in Wellston. The river corridor is largely public land through the national forest, making access easier here than on many Michigan rivers.