April 26, 2026
Water levels continue to drop steadily, however the local rivers are still running more than full, if not high. Nothing like they had been the past two weeks but encouraging for those looking to get on the water now that traditional trout opener is behind us.
For the most part, upper sections of watersheds are more fishable than lower sections as they offer enough transparency/clarity for early trout season fishing. There have been a trickle of Hendricksons on the upper Manistee along with some caddis. It was good to see some bugs floating and flying to ensure that all the nymphs didn’t get washed downstream. To put things into perspective, the high water mark left from the flood on the upper Manistee indicates the water was approximately 38 inches higher than average June levels.
Water temps most days are getting into the mid 50’s. Surface activity and feeding usually becomes more regular and consistent when the water stays in the upper 50s. Until then, streamer fishing might be your best approach until the bugs show up. If you do get out, be careful wading.
The steelhead are wrapping up their spring ritual on the other rivers with a few stragglers on the Manistee remaining and fewer on the Betsie which is kind of typical at this time of the year. Fingers crossed that they were successful in spawning and their eggs will hatch after the high water and sediment load; we will never really know now that MI-DNR is no longer marking hatchery fish with a clipped fin which helped us distinguish wild fish from hatchery stock.
And speaking of hatcheries, MI-DNR lost over 1,700 steelhead at the Little Manistee weir due to a power outage. This is more than half the average number of fish that they count each Spring (based on the last ten years). You can read more here. I can’t help to think that lowering the harvest of steelhead from three to one on most rivers – including the Big and Little Manistee river systems – can only help offset their latest blunder. But as they have pointed out, I am not a biologist.
Good luck.
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.