Gateway to Michigan's finest fly-fishing
Live and Die with a Dry Fly!
When I think about the many traditions immersed in the fly fishing world, images of dry fly fishing for trout quickly come to mind. Dry fly fishing is truly an artistic pursuit. It is typically the first of many fly fishing experiences a trout angler
March comes to an end and the Steelhead fishing continues. Fishing has been solid in March despite some weather fluctuations between Spring and Winter. The river conditions have been good with water levels a little lower than what we expect for this time of year, but with some cold rain
Manistee River Fishing Report for 3.26.25 The Manistee River Fishing Report for 3.26.25 has the Manistee in great shape and the fishing has been consistently good this past week. Right now the water has a beautiful green color and is flowing right around 2350 ft3/s.
Manistee Below Tippy
Fishing on the lower Manistee River has remained consistent for those willing to adapt to the significant temperature fluctuations we’ve experienced this March. While on the river, you can see the early signs of spring: Red-winged blackbirds are perched in the trees, and steelhead are starting to
From Matt Re: Grand Rapids area
The spring run of steelhead is here.
Warmer temperatures and a bump in river levels have pushed a lot of fish up the river systems. Most of our rivers still have a good amount of stain to the water from the recent snow runoff
**True North Trout** in Kalkaska, Michigan, is excited to announce an **Introduction to Fly Fishing Camp** on August 1 & 2, 2025, set against the picturesque backdrop of the Upper Manistee River. This immersive two-day camp is perfect for those with a basic understanding of fishing and the outdoors, looking
The longer days, return of sunshine and the installation of frost law speed limit signs on the shoulders of highways are indications that it’s Spring Steelhead season. A late arriving but “old school” winter with lots of snow and cold temps kept winter enthusiasts happy in N.W. Michigan, but the
St. Joseph River: Continues to produce a few walleye and steelhead. Most were fishing near the Berrien Springs Dam. Look for the steelhead bite with the warm-up.
Grand River near Grand Rapids: Continues to produce a few good runs of steelhead. Fish have been caught on jigs with wax worms, spawn and beads. Most are fishing near the 6th Street Dam and below. Walleye were caught off the wall and at Fulton Street. No big numbers, but steelhead still can be found in the Rogue River.
Muskegon River: Had decent steelhead fishing.
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.
Pere Marquette River: Was also producing steelhead for those using spawn, beads and wax worms.
St. Joseph River: The salmon run is winding down, and more steelhead are moving up into the river. Fish have been caught near the dam at Berrien Springs.
Dowagiac River: Continues to produce salmon and steelhead below the Pucker Street Dam.
Paw Paw River: Is producing the occasional salmon and a few more steelhead.
Black River: Those casting spoons continue to catch the occasional salmon. A couple lake trout were caught on lures, and steelhead were taken when still-fishing with spawn.
Kalamazoo River: As the salmon run winds down, a good number of steelhead are moving up into the river. Try floating spawn, flies and beads up near the Allegan Dam.
Grand River at Grand Rapids: The flow was still above average for this time of year, and the water was a bit stained. The salmon are pretty much done, so more steelhead are starting to move in. Anglers are catching a fair to good number of large steelhead on spawn and beads. The hot color was chartreuse.
Muskegon River: Continues to produce a few salmon, and the number of steelhead starting to show up is increasing. Bass fishing has also been good.
White River: Salmon are still being caught; however, the action is starting to slow. There has been very little activity at the Hesperia Dam.
Cheboygan River: Had three gates open at the dam, so water levels were high and fast. Fishing slowed, but anglers are still getting a few salmon on crank baits or when drifting skein in the early morning and at dusk. They are also getting steelhead when drifting flies and spawn bags. A 41-inch musky was caught on a crank bait near the dam, and smallmouth bass were hitting soft baits and crank baits.
Thunder Bay River: Continues to produce Chinook, a couple brown trout and the odd steelhead when casting spoons, spinners and crank baits or when floating and drifting skein and spawn bags. Most of the Chinook were very dark, but a few younger fish were still in good shape. The occasional Atlantic salmon was caught on spinners and streamer flies, but most did not want to bite.
Au Sable River: A couple salmon were caught by those drifting spawn, flies and beads. Atlantic salmon were slow to bite, but a couple were taken on streamer flies and spawn bags. Smallmouth bass were caught when casting crank baits and jigs or when using minnows.
Au Gres River: A couple steelhead were caught in the East Branch when drifting spawn at the Singing Bridge.
Bear River: There are still a few fish up at the dam, and those targeting them caught Chinook, coho and lake trout on spawn, artificial eggs, yarn and flies.
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.
Pere Marquette River: Salmon fishing is winding down here as well.
St. Joseph River: A few bass and walleye were caught by those trolling. There was still a fair number of salmon and steelhead going through the fish ladder at Berrien Springs. Fishing pressure at the dam was low.
Dowagiac River: Had a decent number of salmon. Both salmon and steelhead were caught below the dam at Pucker Street.
Black River: A couple salmon were caught by those casting spoons.
Kalamazoo River: Those drifting spawn or flies caught salmon near the Allegan Dam.
Muskegon River: Rain and cooler temperatures helped push a decent number of salmon up into the river. Some large fish have been taken by those casting crank baits floating skein and beads. Those fly fishing have done well during the day. The occasional steelhead and brown trout were also caught.
Cheboygan River: Salmon fishing was starting to slow, but anglers still caught some fish at the dam with spoons, crank baits and skein. The better catches came at dusk. Some reported steelhead jumping at the dam but there were no reports of fish caught. Boat anglers targeting smallmouth bass had success with soft baits near the cutter and the ferry parking lot.
Thunder Bay River: Those targeting salmon and trout caught a few Chinook, Atlantic and brown trout when floating or drifting skein, spawn bags, beads and flies, or when casting spoons and crank baits. The Atlantic bite was very slow as the fish were reluctant to hit. Most of the Chinook were dark but a few keepers could still be found. Early morning and evening were best. The occasional walleye was caught on body baits around dusk. Those trolling crank baits caught a couple northern pike. A small number of yellow perch were taken on minnows in the slower water near the mouth, but size and numbers were not consistent.
Au Sable River: Chinook salmon were caught by those drifting flies and spawn bags or casting spoons and spinners. The condition of the fish was deteriorating, and the numbers weren’t great. A couple steelhead entered the river and the odd fish was taken on spawn bags behind the beds. Atlantic salmon numbers were increasing, but the bite remained slow. A couple were taken on spinners or flies, but spawn bags, skein and beads should also take fish. Those casting jigs and crank baits down near the mouth caught the occasional walleye, pike and smallmouth bass. Water temperatures below Foote Dam dropped into the high 50’s. Anglers swinging and stripping streamers between Mio and McKinley Bridge caught brown trout.
Tawas River: A few walleye were caught at night when casting body baits at Gateway Park. Chinook salmon were seen but none were caught.
Bear River: Did see a push of salmon after the heavy rain and anglers managed to land a couple Chinook and coho. Many were turning quite dark however a few fresh fish were also hooked. Anglers were using spawn, artificial eggs, yarn and flies. A few lake trout showed up over the last week.
Betsie River: Was producing a fair number of coho.
Manistee River: Continued to produce some salmon though the fish are quite dark.
Pere Marquette River: Water levels were receding in the upper stretches, but the lower stretches were still high. Anglers continue to catch some large Chinook. The rain will certainly help not only the salmon, but the fall steelhead runs as well.
Manistique River: Was too fast to fish near the dam after all the rain. There were a lot of hook-ups in the fast water, but few were landed. Many of the large salmon were quite dark but the younger fish were still somewhat silver. Most were fishing the “Bass Hole” area and reported fair to good catches of Chinook, steelhead and brown trout when casting spawn, skein or crank baits. Fly anglers were casting yarn, flies or beads.
Two Hearted River: Continued to produce some coho.