Manistee County, MI · Inland River
Manistee River
A premier Michigan salmon and steelhead river — the big-water reach below Tippy Dam draws huge fall king runs and winter/spring steelhead, with resident trout upstream. One of the Great Lakes' most famous tributary fisheries. Live USGS flow near Manistee.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon & Brown Trout — tied at the top (68/100)
4 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Manistee River.
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Manistee River
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Steelhead Workable day for Steelhead. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — Lake- or sea-run rainbow trout — chrome-bright fighters that ascend tributaries from fall through spring. The Great Lakes tributary steelhead run (Lake Erie’s “steelhead alley,” Lake Ontario, Michigan rivers) is a destination fishery; bite keys on flow and water clarity.
Prefers. Water 40–55°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 2–60 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 3
Michigan Great Lakes tributaries: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination (steelhead included). Spring and fall runs on the Manistee, Pere Marquette, and Au Sable.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Chinook Salmon Workable day for Chinook Salmon. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus tshawytscha — The “king” — the largest Pacific salmon and the marquee stocked predator of the Great Lakes. Trolled over open water through summer, then staged off river mouths and run up tributaries on the fall spawning push. Flow and water temperature drive the river bite.
Prefers. Water 42–58°F (ideal 50°F) · either tide · depth 15–150 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 3
Michigan Great Lakes tributaries: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination. The fall king run on the Manistee and Pere Marquette is a marquee fishery.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Coho Salmon Workable day for Coho Salmon. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Oncorhynchus kisutch — “Silvers” — acrobatic, aggressive salmon that school near the surface and along piers in summer before their fall tributary run. A staple of the Great Lakes stocking program and the Pacific coast alike.
Prefers. Water 44–58°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 10–120 ft.
- Min size
- 10"
- Daily creel
- 3
Michigan Great Lakes tributaries: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination.
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
#1 Brown Trout Workable day for Brown Trout. In season 68/100
What's helping
- 5 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
About. Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Min size
- 8"
- Daily creel
- 5
Michigan inland: 5 trout/day, 8" minimum, no more than 3 over 15" (Type 1).
Source: Michigan regulations · verified 2026-06-03.
Location Info
Water Body
Inland River
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Michigan
Coordinates
Notes
Michigan Great Lakes tributary: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination. The Tippy Dam reach is the marquee run.
Local reports & rules for Manistee River: Michigan DNR fishing report → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Manistee River?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Manistee River you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Manistee River?
Manistee River is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Manistee River?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Manistee River against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Manistee River have?
Manistee River has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp. Michigan Great Lakes tributary: 3 trout & salmon/day in combination. The Tippy Dam reach is the marquee run.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Manistee River?
state agency regulations apply at Manistee River. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Manistee River tidal water?
No. Manistee River is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.