Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 29, 2025

UPDATE 3/31/25

The region received far more rainfall than forecast over the weekend leaving the rivers running very high and dirty. If you are headed to your favorite river, you are likely to find it un-wadable and boat handling risky. Use caution until water levels come down.

For more on regional water flows, you can click here.

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 in the forecast, we should see levels come up and a little more stain to the water. And likely more fish as water temps hover around 40 degrees.

The steelhead in the Manistee river are a mix of pre-spawn fish and fish just starting to spawn. Smaller rivers like the Betsie can have water temperatures increase (and decrease) rapidly which can spur more spawning activity but look for more spawning to be the case as water temps increase with more days into “Spring”. Regardless, the pocket water, runs and holes near spawning gravel have been fishing well.

With a slight stain to the water, smaller egg imitations have been outperforming the big, bold ones, but look for that to change if water conditions change. #8 rag eggs and 8mm beads in natural colors/tones have been best and often fished in tandem with a nymph. The best fishing nymphs lately have been green caddis, alevins, and hex. When the sun heats things up, the black stoneflies have been coming off and fluttering on the surface, which is a good indication to fish them under the surface.

Like usual, the popularity of steelhead has been bringing out scores of anglers and the rivers have been crowded. It’s not a bad time to practice the golden rule but then again, that might be expecting too much from some while others try to set an example.

Good luck,

Ted

Fall Steelhead – Spring season is all booked, but a few dates remain available for the Fall Steelhead.
Trout Fishing – May and June offer some of the best technical dry fly fishing as we chase bugs and browns.
2025 Season – Now booking the entire season for trout, bass, steelhead and salmon – get your dates planned.

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Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 13, 2025

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 slow thaw these past weeks provided a lot of groundwater and the return of brown to the landscape. Luckily the ground was not frozen and the regional snowpack mostly dripped into the water table without creating too much run-off. As such, the spring fed trout rivers and streams are recharged for the year and our steelhead fishing wasn’t condensed to a couple of weeks before most anglers got out.

The Manistee and Betsie rivers are both running full with temperatures in the mid to upper 30s. There is some color and stain which steelhead prefer as they migrate upstream under it’s cover. However, the brighter days, frankly, make for tough conditions as the fish either go deep or off to the side into wood. Shaded holes and runs, or early and late times of the day can make the difference in success. Majority of the fish have been in the river either over the winter or the past 6 weeks, but a few fresh, bright ones have been moving through the systems and acting a little spunkier when hooked.

Fish have been taking a mix of both eggs and nymphs without much of a common denominator or an outlier catching more fish. More subtle color egg schemes have outperformed the bold bright versions, but as the water is likely to darken with some additional run-off, look for that to change. A few early stoneflies have come off and it’s usually a good time to fish some of those. The usual suspects are always good to have in your fly box during spring steelhead season as we put winter behind us.

Good luck.

Ted

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Early December Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - December 5, 2024

Winter has come in hard with some sustained lake effect snow like we haven’t seen in some time. Thankfully the ground isn’t frozen and some of this snow will slowly seep into the water table to replenish an aquifer that was parched from last summer’s and fall’s drought.

Steelhead fishing has slowed down with water temperatures dropping pretty significantly the last 10 days to about 40 degrees. Steelhead don’t like rapid drops in temperature so I’d look for them to be grumpy until the temp stays relatively stable. As temps drop into the upper 30s, look for fish to seek out the slower holes and pools.

With a warm up in the forecast this weekend, some run-off should occur which might add some needed color to the Manistee and Betsie while encouraging a few fish to migrate upstream. With water temps in Lake Michigan being so warm, the cold river isn’t too inviting, which should bode well for a good Spring run of fish as they are likely to stay in the big water a while before moving upstream.

Good luck.

Ted

Spring Steelhead – A few dates remain available for Spring 2025 in March and April – “think Spring”
2025 Fishing Season – It’s not too early to look ahead to next year and get your dates planned and secured.
Gift Certificates – Available for Half or Full Day Guide Trips or a Casting Lesson making perfect gifts for anglers

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Late April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 21, 2024

As April winds down, I can say I’ve never experienced one like this one before.

The steelhead fishing was affected by the lack of rain and high water from a snowpack that never happened in this El Nino year. Winter was mild and so was the run of fish as they seemed to be spread out over 3 months without any noticeable peak. I suspect the trickle of fish will continue but it will be even lighter as we approach May.

There are still some fish to be found in the Betsie and Manistee but with water temps in the low 50s, they seem to come and go quickly with some males hanging around in out for their next date to show up.

Here in Traverse City the Boardman has some fish in it for close to home fishing or in my case – fun observation from the bridge as I go to the post office. It actually offers a good opportunity to watch steelhead behavior…. like fish sitting in the deep holes behind the gravel, how a stable, solo fish in a hole changes its attitude when another fish moves in, or fish moving into the shadow of the bridge when the sun gets overhead. Anyway, there are fish around in our rivers but it is winding down.

With the warmer weather and trout season officially opening this Saturday, it might be time exchange your steelhead rod for your favorite dry fly and streamer rods. Some rivers are open all year, others extended seasons and most closed until the last Saturday in April – check the MI-DNR Regulations if you aren’t sure.

Hendricksons have been spotty but showing up most days when conditions are right. Fish this time of year aren’t overly selective, but they do need some bugs on the surface to get them to look up. When an emergence isn’t around, cover the water with a streamer. Water clarity of the upper Manistee, AuSable and Boardman is a little clearer than we expect for this time of year so a mid-sized streamer likely will be a better pattern rather than the large ones.

Good luck.

Ted

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Early April Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - April 1, 2024

Some rain last week gave the rivers a nice little bump in water flow and some additional steelhead moving upstream from lake Michigan.

Clarity is still really good on the Manistee River below Tippy Dam, and is a little more stained on the Betsie River. Water temperatures have pretty much remained in the low 40-degree range as overnight temps and a lack of sunlight have kept things stable. With some significant rain in the forecast this week, water levels and clarity are likely to change.

The steelhead are mixed: from fresh fish moving upstream to spawning fish and drop-backs – all stages are within the river systems and be found in all kinds of water.

Smaller, natural color egg patterns and beads continue to be the first choice in the clear water. Shades and tones of yellow, gold nugget and steelhead orange have been productive. Fry patterns are starting to increase in effectiveness as salmon fry are starting to develop and swim making them prey to the steelhead as are the smaller stoneflies when the sun warms up that water just a bit and induces an emergence.

Good luck,

Ted

— PS: New, 2024 fishing licenses are required April 1 —

Trout Season – Mid-May into July offers some of the best match-the-hatch dry fly fishing of the season.
2024 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons thru September.

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Posts tagged "betsie river"

Late March Fishing Report

Mid-March Steelhead Fishing Report

Early December Fishing Report

Late April Fishing Report

Early April Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156