What flies are hatching on the Manistee River right now?

Current and seasonal hatches on the Manistee River include Blue-Winged Olive, Caddis. Use the AI Hatch Advisor on this page for a live, temperature-aware recommendation.

What's the current flow on the Manistee River?

The Manistee River is running at 1,880 CFS at the Manistee River near Wellston, MI gauge. Readings update every 15 minutes from the USGS Water Services API.

Is the Manistee River fishable today?

Yes — Manistee River is rated fishable right now. Current flow is 1,880 CFS at the Manistee River near Wellston, MI gauge.

Manistee River Fly Fishing Conditions

Live Conditions

Manistee River — Manistee River near Wellston, MI

Fishable

1,880CFS

Discharge

8.92ft

Gauge Height

56.1°F

Water Temp

Updated 26 min agoView on USGS ↗

7-Day Flow

↑ Rising

RisingFallingStable

24-Hr Pressure

29.44 inHg · → High/stable

Falling (good)RisingHigh/stable

Local Weather

46°FClear sky

Wind 9 mph29.44 inHg Low & stable

Tough conditions — fish deep

Today

☁️

Overcast

54° / 31°

Tomorrow

☀️

Clear sky

57° / 45°

Mon

☁️

Overcast

61° / 42°

Tue

☀️

Clear sky

66° / 45°

Cold front incoming — go deep with nymphs, surface activity likely slow.

Weather by Open-Meteo · No API key · Updated every 30 min

What should I fish today?

⚡ AI

AI-powered recommendation using today's live flow, temperature, and hatch data.

9.4

Time of Day

Using: 1,880 CFS · 56.1°F · PEAK SALMON RUN

What should I pack?

Rod, flies, tippet, and safety gear specific to today's Manistee River conditions.

🪰 Hatch Calendar

Manistee River · October · Fall

Full calendar →

🟢 Active now at 56.1°F water

Blue-Winged OliveCaddis

Select month

JanDec

PEAK SALMON RUN (Chinook, Coho) below Tippy Dam — spawning fish, eggs drifting downstream feeding steelhead. FALL STEELHEAD strong. Streamers and egg patterns.

Streamer

🟢 Active · 🟡 Approaching · ⚪ Seasonal only

River Map

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USGS Gauge (click for site ID)Fishing Access / SectionScroll to zoom disabled — use map controls

About Manistee River

The Manistee River is one of Michigan's premier steelhead and salmon rivers, with a strong trout fishery in its upper reaches. The Wellston area in Mason County offers classic freestone trout water with wild browns, while the lower river below Tippy Dam hosts some of the state's best fall salmon and steelhead runs. Coho and Chinook salmon enter from Lake Michigan in September and October.

Blue-Winged OliveHendricksonSulphurCaddisHexageniaIsonychia

Regulations

Gear Restricted sections in trout zone. Check Manistee County exceptions in current Michigan DNR guide. Steelhead bag limit rules apply. Michigan Fishing License required. Season opens last Saturday of April for trout; steelhead year-round on designated sections.

Learn More

Guides to help you fish Manistee River with more confidence.