April 5, 2026
After a Winter of significant snow, recent rains have more than topped off our watersheds leaving our rivers very high and muddy.
While the rivers were fishing well in normal elevated spring conditions, the rain made it just too much for the saturated land and swamps to absorb questioning going to the river in pursuit of steelhead. To put it into perspective, the rivers have doubled in volume in less than a week.
The numbers of fish in local rivers like the Betsie and Manistee have been impressive so far this Spring and with water temperatures just now getting over that 40-degree mark, fish will get to their spawning in the cover of stained water. The surge in water should also encourage more fish to head upstream from Lake Michigan providing a mixed bag of pre-spawn, spawning and post spawn fish.
If you do head out, don’t expect to wade too far from the bank and if you’re fishing in a boat, bring that extra anchor and keep your eye out for debris (logs/tress!) floating downstream. Or, consider taking a few days off and wait until conditions improve in regards to both safety and better fishing.
To monitor water levels on the Manistee below Tippy Dam, click here.
For the rest of the monitoring stations in Michigan, click here.
Good luck and be safe.
Ted
Trout Fishing –Streamer fishing and Matching the Hatch with dry flies is at its best May through June.
Smallmouth Bass – Lakes or Rivers, these eager to please fish bend the rod and continue to put smiles on faces.
2026 Season – Now booking for all seasons: Steelhead, Trout, Smallmouth Bass, Salmon & Learn to Fly Fish trips.