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Manistee County in West Michigan has an abundance of places where anglers can catch a variety of fish. Numerous charter captains make Manistee their home port, and will happily take you out on Lake Michigan to fish for salmon and trout.
The Manistee River runs 190 miles through the northern Lower Peninsula, entering Lake Michigan along the city of Manistee in West Michigan. The Manistee River is considered to be one of the best steelhead, salmon, and trout rivers in Michigan and the Great Lakes.
Manistee River — Steelhead still can be found on the right day when using egg flies or beads. The occasional fresh fish also has been caught.
Manistee Lake — Steelhead continued to be caught though the fish were somewhat scattered. Try spinners, crank baits, flies or beads in the slower water. Those fishing near Suicide Bend caught the occasional coho.
Manistee River — Continues to provide some good steelhead fishing. Fish have been caught throughout the river. Anglers are getting bright colored fish as well as plenty of fresh ones. Those fishing below Tippy Dam have done well with spawn or jigs and wax worms.
Manistee River — Those able to brave the cold are taking a fair to good number of steelhead. There was an ice jam along M-37 at Sherman.
Manistee River — Look for steelhead in the deeper holes during the cold snap. Brown trout fishing was slow below Tippy Dam. With the next thaw, steelhead fishing should really pick up.
Manistee River — Was still producing some steelhead; however, the cold snap by the end of the week will most likely slow the bite.
Manistee River — The steelhead action picked up with the mild weather, and those using beads did well.
Manistee River — Some are getting steelhead up near Tippy Dam. With cold water temperatures, they are fishing the deeper holes with spawn and beads.
Manistee River — Some are getting steelhead up near Tippy Dam. With cold water temperatures, they are fishing the deeper holes with spawn and beads.
Manistee River — Chinook salmon fishing was reported to be at its peak, with many fresh Chinook entering the river daily. Coho salmon and steelhead were also reported to be caught. Anglers found success when fishing with floats and skein eggs. Using long leaders with pencil weights, and dark flies were reported to work well when fishing for spawning salmon.
Manistee River — Water levels were good so far, and steelhead numbers are improving. Steelhead and the odd salmon were found in Bear Creek.
Manistee Lake — Boat anglers launching from Arthur Street caught crappie and perch.
Manistee River — Had reports of some chrome steelhead taken at Tippy Dam. No big numbers yet; however, a few fish were starting to move.
Manistee River — Is producing fresh steelhead in the lower river.
Manistee River — Steelhead fishing was a little more difficult due to high water levels, but a few fish were caught. Anglers are hoping the levels will be down somewhat by the trout opener this weekend.
Manistee River — The steelhead bite slowed with the colder weather. Try slow drifting over the deeper holes in the lower river.
Manistee River — Anglers caught a moderate number of steelhead in the lower river.
Manistee River — Trout fishing remains strong with higher flows. We are starting to hear of some good fly hatches and dry fly fishing.
Manistee River — Steelhead are still being caught mainly on the gravel. Most are bottom bouncing with spawn or using beads and nymphs. Brown trout were caught.
Manistee River — The trout opener was slow because of cold water temperatures and higher water levels. A few fish were caught in the deeper holes. Fishing on the Little Manistee was also slow.
Manistee River — Skamania have been caught all the way up to Tippy Dam.
Manistee River — Skamania were caught at Tippy Dam.
Manistee River — Salmon were reported to be in light numbers. The weir has been installed.
Manistee River — Salmon are slowly starting to make their way into the system and a few have been caught but no big numbers yet.
Manistee River — Is producing some bass and pike. Below Tippy Dam, a few small brown trout and Skamania were caught above and below the coffer dams and near Suicide Bend.
Manistee River — Chinook and coho were both there!
Manistee River — There were reported to be heavy amounts of fish within the system.
Manistee River —
Salmon were reported to be throughout the system up to Tippy Dam. Numbers were moderate, as conditions in the river were very low and clear.
Salmon are currently being collected at the Little Manistee River Weir, and egg take operations will be conducted over the next few weeks.
Manistee River — While the warm-up may have slowed catch rates, salmon were still moving up into the river and will continue to do so especially with any rain and cooler temperatures. The peak of the run typically occurs in the first week of October.
Manistee Lake — Salmon fishing was fair to good with more fish showing up every day. Those trout fishing below Tippy Dam were taking fish on streamers, beads and wet flies.
Manistee River — Chinook and coho were both there!
Manistee Lake — Had a lot of anglers. Some reported success when trolling or jigging with artificial baits.
Manistee River — Good numbers of salmon were reported to be throughout the system, and a few steelhead were beginning to show up.
Manistee River — Salmon fishing is winding down and the remaining fish are in pretty rough shape. Anglers on the lower river have begun to catch chrome steelhead. Good catch reports were coming from pier and surf anglers on the right day.
Manistee River — Continued to produce some salmon though the fish are quite dark.
Manistee River — Anglers were catching Chinook and steelhead. Chinook could be found throughout the system with lots of fish spawning in the upper river. The run could peak this week. Try spawn, yarn or flies. Anglers were starting to catch steelhead on spawn or beads in the lower river.
Manistee River — Look for fresh fish especially after all the rain. Look for steelhead near the gravel.
Manistee River — Steelhead were in the deeper holes through the cold front however the bite should pick up with the warmer temperatures this week. Most were fishing below Tippy Dam.
Manistee River — Flow is a bit high and steelhead fishing was fair. Water temperatures below Tippy Dam were in the mid to high 40’s. Anglers caught steelhead, brown trout and even the odd salmon on flies, beads, spinners and crank baits. Those wading above and below the coffer dam caught a few fish.
Planning a visit to the Manistee area? Have questions about your trip? Here’s where you can find help:
Contact the Manistee County Tourism Authority here:
The Michigan Audubon Society Lake Bluff Center overlooks Lake Michigan near Manistee and features wildlife and a bird sanctuary.
Manistee has the unique combination of beauty, history and nature, which attracts visitors from all over and inspires many to call it home.
Winter in Manistee County includes great outdoor activities like skiing, snow shoeing, hiking, ice skating, and more.
Known as the “Two Lake Town”, Onekema is just 20 minutes from Manistee and provides a cozy escape from the everyday.
The Manistee Riverwalk follows the Manistee River from Jones Street, under the US-31 bridge, behind downtown, and ends at First Street beach.
Along the Lake Michigan shoreline between Ludington and Manistee, you’ll find natural splendor- the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area.