Generated artwork: BlueStreamFly · Regional illustration; not the exact location.
Fishable with caution. Check the flow and exact reach.
If you go: Bank fishing. USGS 04123500 is near M-72 and does not represent every reach from the headwaters to CCC Bridge. The same-date comparison uses 1943-1973 gauge records; use that older record as context, not a current normal-flow threshold.
Rating updatedRiver local time:
USGS shows 207 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1943-1973, 31 readings) show a median near 172 cfs and a high-water marker near 188 cfs; today's flow is above that high-water marker. USGS 04123500 is near M-72 and does not represent every reach from the headwaters to CCC Bridge. The same-date comparison uses 1943-1973 gauge records; use that older record as context, not a current normal-flow threshold. Treat this as high-water fishing: wading, clarity, crossings, and boat control need a conservative check.
NWS air forecast near
RiverReports gauge
Showing the available RiverReports chart while the current structured flow series loads. Check the chart on RiverReports Opens in a new tab.
Mostly Clear
The National Weather Service forecast is temporarily unavailable.
RiverReports gauge: Manistee River at Grayling
Seasonal starting points, not a live hatch report. Match what you see on the water.
These four rows cover the full year without overlap. They are a planning calendar, not a live hatch report.
Also try Sulphur comparadun, hex emerger, trico spinner
Also try trico spinner
Fly names open their exact Fly Box guides. Some family guides use a clearly identified natural insect reference or reviewed illustration instead of a tied-fly photo.
A good day has cool water, manageable edges, an open reach, and confirmed access. Leave if current is pushy around wood or the rule or site status is unclear.
Use the latest flow, water temperature, and timestamp as nearby evidence only. USGS may revise those readings.
The available same-date comparison ends in 1973. Treat it as old, limited context rather than a fixed threshold.
Wade protected edges. Do not force crossings or pushy, wood-filled water.
Carry a thermometer in warm weather and stop before trout handling becomes stressful.
These scores compare the risks of wading, bank fishing, and floating.
Wading is the most sensitive plan today. Use protected edges only, avoid crossings, and downgrade quickly if clarity or current feels wrong.
Bank and edge fishing is the safer default when water is high, pushy, or not fully verified.
This report does not recommend floating this reach.
Check the M-72 flow and water temperature, then choose the exact rule reach. This report covers the Upper Manistee from its headwaters to CCC Bridge.
This report covers the headwaters to CCC Bridge. USGS 04123500 near M-72 is nearby evidence, not a reading for every reach.
USGS shows 207 cfs. The flow has been stable over about 6 hours. USGS marks this reading provisional and may revise it. USGS records for this date (1943-1973, 31 readings) show a median near 172 cfs and a high-water marker near 188 cfs; today's flow is above that high-water marker. USGS 04123500 is near M-72 and does not represent every reach from the headwaters to CCC Bridge. The same-date comparison uses 1943-1973 gauge records; use that older record as context, not a current normal-flow threshold. Treat this as high-water fishing: wading, clarity, crossings, and boat control need a conservative check.
Bank / edge: Bank and edge fishing is the safer default when water is high, pushy, or not fully verified.
Fall · September through November: The Type 2 headwaters reach closes after September 30; the two downstream reaches remain open.
USGS water temperature is about 57.9F, and the rolling 24-hour high did not trigger a heat caution. USGS marks the temperature data provisional and may revise it.
No active NWS alert was returned for this forecast point.
Use the current M-72 flow and water temperature as nearby evidence. No single reading proves every reach is safe or fishable.
Leave when water is too warm, crossings are pushy around wood, a reach is closed, or access is unclear.
Check the M-72 gauge, choose one of the three rule reaches, then start from one named DNR site.
If the Upper Manistee is warm, high, closed, or hard to enter legally, check the Au Sable or Boardman report instead.
When: Reach-specific; see the three-rule table
The main upper-river target. The County Road 612-to-CCC reaches have an 18-inch minimum and a two-trout daily limit.
When: Most relevant toward colder upstream habitat
Do not assume equal numbers throughout the headwaters-to-CCC area.
When: Year-round possession downstream of County Road 612
Present at lower density. The two downstream reaches keep a 10-inch minimum.
This page stops at CCC Bridge. The three reaches have different seasons, tackle rules, and limits.
Headwaters to County Road 612 is Type 2. County Road 612 to M-72 is artificial-lures-only. M-72 to CCC Bridge is artificial-flies-only. Use the current digest, FO-200, trout map, and posted signs for the exact season, possession, size, and daily limits.
| River section and season | Fishing rules |
|---|---|
| Headwaters to County Road 612 | Type 2. Fishing and possession run from the last Saturday in April through September 30. Natural bait and artificial lures are allowed. Daily limit: five trout/salmon total, no more than three at least 15 inches. Minimums are brook 10, brown 12, and rainbow 10 inches. Official rule |
| County Road 612 to M-729.2 miles | Fishing is year-round. Brook and brown possession runs from the last Saturday in April through September 30. Rainbow possession is year-round. Artificial lures only. Daily limit: two trout, no more than one at least 18 inches. Minimums are brook 10, brown 18, and rainbow 10 inches. Official rule |
| M-72 to Sunset Trail Road / CCC Bridge16.7 miles | Fishing is year-round. Brook and brown possession runs from the last Saturday in April through September 30. Rainbow possession is year-round. Artificial flies only, with no scented material in the water or on shore. Daily limit: two trout, no more than one at least 18 inches. Minimums are brook 10, brown 18, and rainbow 10 inches. Official rule |
44.750265, -84.839361. Narrow riverside path, central stairs, carry access near site 16, four-vehicle river parking near site 5, and about a 50-yard walk. Recreation Passport required. Open year-round. Road not plowed.
Site details44.75928, -84.840049. Multiple river-entry points and carry access. Check the road, site status, signs, and exact reach rule.
Site details44.69468216, -84.847495. Two access paths with stairs, about 30 yards to the water, and parking near site 16. This is the tackle-rule boundary.
Site details7184 Sunset Trail SE. This is the downstream rule boundary and a named public access anchor. This report does not extend below it.
Site detailsFlow, temperature, weather, rules, access, and fishery sources were checked August 22, 2026. No field visit is claimed.
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
Check what is allowed, where the rule applies, and whether the river is open.
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Open the current rules and check the river section, season, and special limits.
Check the latest river reading and forecast before you leave.
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Open this river reading to check the latest level, flow, and update time.
Check public entry points, land rules, and seasonal access changes.
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
Open the land or access page, then check signs before you park or enter.
Use these links for stocking, safety, and other local details.
Open this page and check the latest safety advice before your trip.
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
Open this page for more river information and check when it was last updated.
What was checked: BlueStreamFly checked official public flow, water-temperature, rule, access, closure, fishery, and weather sources. This review does not claim a field visit, local residency, or first-hand Upper Manistee fishing experience.
Live measurements and forecasts keep their provider timestamps. Rules, access, and trip guidance use the source-review date shown here. BlueStreamFly planning advice is editorial interpretation, not an agency notice.
First-hand experience: BlueStreamFly does not claim a first-hand visit or local field test for this report unless a real contributor is explicitly named and linked.
From the headwaters downstream to Sunset Trail Road / CCC Bridge.
USGS 04123500 gives not yet confirmed flow and water temperature at or just upstream of M-72. It does not describe every reach.
Yes. The headwaters are Type 2, County Road 612 to M-72 is artificial-lures-only, and M-72 to CCC Bridge is artificial-flies-only. Seasons and limits also differ.
This report does not verify a fishing float. Confirm a legal route, launch, takeout, shuttle, suitable craft, PFD, water, wood, and weather before considering one.
No. It is a full-year planning calendar. Current flow, water temperature, weather, and insects on the water decide what to fish.
