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Fly Fishing the Manistee River

One of Michigan's most celebrated trout rivers, the Manistee offers a spring-creek-like upper section and a productive tailwater below Tippy Dam, anchored by the legendary Hex hatch that draws dry-fly devotees every June.

  • 3 shops nearby
  • freestone
  • May–October (trout)
  • Michigan
  • 5 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Manistee River is May–October (trout). Key hatches include Hendrickson / Black Caddis, Sulphurs / March Brown, Hex, Trico. 3 fly shops near the Manistee River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Manistee River

Shops and guides that fish the Manistee River. See all 17 Michigan shops →

Fresh Coast FlyDrake's Fly ShopTight Loops Fly Fishing
3 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassCarpPanfishPikeRedfishSalmonSteelheadTarponTrout

Nearby towns

Green Lake TownshipGraylingHayes Township

Rivers nearby

Au Sable RiverSalmon RiverPenns CreekDelaware River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Manistee River

River typefreestone
Best seasonMay–October (trout); September–November (steelhead and salmon runs)
AccessThe upper (flies-only) section is accessed via M-72 in Kalkaska County down to the CCC Bridge; the tailwater below Tippy Dam (Manistee County) is reached off Coates Highway with parking at the Tippy Dam Recreation Area.
Key hatches
  • Hendrickson / Black Caddis (late April–mid May)
  • Sulphurs / March Brown (May–June)
  • Hex — Hexagenia limbata (late June–early July, evenings)
  • Trico (mid-July–September, mornings)
  • Mahogany Dun / BWO (September–October)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Manistee River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Manistee River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

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The flies that work on the Manistee River

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Updated June 2026