Manistee River: Fly Fishing Conditions & Hatch Report

By Chris Izworski  ·  Updated Friday, September 11, 2026  ·  Daily reports at Michigan Trout Daily
Flow
205 cfs
normal
Water Temp
52.3°F
prime
Gauge Height
0.94 ft
USGS gauge
Conditions
Prime
as of 1:30 PM UTC
About This River

Manistee River, Northwest Lower Michigan

Headwaters near Grayling, excellent brown trout in the upper reaches and world-class steelhead in lower sections. One of Michigan's longest and most diverse trout rivers.

Species present: Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead trout. Stream type: freestone.

Active Hatches: September 2026

What's Hatching Now

Based on current water temperature (52.3°F) and time of year, the following insects are active or expected on the Manistee River.

HatchLatinTop PatternsTime of Day
Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) Baetis spp. Parachute BWO #16, Sparkle Dun BWO #16 midday
BWO (Fall) Baetis tricaudatus Parachute BWO #16, Pheasant Tail Nymph #16 midday
Fall Caddis Neophylax spp. Orange Elk Hair Caddis #14, LaFontaine Pupa (orange) #14 afternoon
Access & Regulations
Public Access
Grayling (upper), CCC Bridge, High Bridge, Tippy Dam area
Regulations
Various special regulations by section. Check DNR for current rules.
Target Species
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead trout
Stream Type
Freestone
About the Author
Chris Izworski is a Michigan angler and the founder of the Michigan Trout Report, which tracks live conditions for 110+ Michigan rivers. He publishes daily stream reports at Michigan Trout Daily.
Get a daily conditions report for the Manistee River every morning during trout season.
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