Muskegon River Fishing Report (231) 519-7348
Manistee river – Tippy Day – Michigan Winter Steelhead Fishing Report ( 1/7/23)

~Michigan’s Manistee River Fishing Report below Tippy Dam.~
Winter Steelhead fishing on the Big Manistee has been improving with the recent warm snap. Steelhead have settled into their Winter holding lies. Slower, deeper runs have been holding good numbers of bright Winter Steelhead. Runs and holding areas with rocks and gravel tend to hold the most fish. drops offs and cuts with gravel transitioning to sand, with a few boulders mixed in.
Most productive Steelhead baits during the winter months are baits with scent. Fresh, small spawn sacks in natural colors, white, peach, or blue spawn sack netting. (Small, 4 salmon eggs) or 6-8 Steelhead eggs in the netting. One orange styrofoam floater, helps the Steelhead see the bait, especially in lower light levels. Float fishing with Trout beads has also been very productive. “Dead Eggs” or washed out tones of cream and orange colors, have been working the best. Steelhead Bead fishing with 8mm and 10mm beads have been getting bit the most. Fish your beads close to the bottom. Fishing tiny marabou jigs tipped with waxs worms, also helps keep the bait near the bottom. Wax worms represent Caddis Larvae, which is a major food source for Trout and Steelhead.
Mid day to later afternoon has been the best bite. Afternoon has the warmest water temperatures, and the most feeding activity.
Salmon fishing on the Big Manistee River has really been picking up! Starting to see good numbers of Coho Salmon, King Salmon, and the occasional fall Steelhead. Recent rains have bumped some new fish up into the upper Sections near Tippy Dam. morning and afternoon, seeing the most activity but numbers of Salmon throughout the day.
Casting Thundersticks in the morning hours has been very productive. mid day brings us into mid day flossing King Salmon on gravel. Kings have recently started spawning on gravel. Sight fishing them has been most productive. Bead fishing behind spawning salmon, for Rainbow and Brown Trout has been fun. Producing a few nice fish. Lake Trout have also started to enter the river, with a few of those starting to show up! Look for excellent fishing during the next three weeks. This is prime time, Fall Salmon fishing right now!
Fishing in itself is an absolute experience. And after a long day waiting for a Salmon to bite onto the bait, being rewarded feels extraordinary. However, for a beginner, the journey is much more complicated. But, when it comes to benefitting from the Manistee River Fishing Report, irrespective of your fishing experience level, you can make the most of it.
So, let’s get started by learning the importance of knowing how to prepare and read a fishing report.
What is a Fishing Report?
A fishing report comprises the things experienced by anglers during their fishing trips. Typically, a fishing report is like a diary or a journal, which states all the details about:
- The direction of the wind’s flow
- Weather conditions of the region
- Depth of the water
- How do the fishes react depending upon the time of the day
- How is fish’s behavior manipulated according to seasonal change
By reading a fishing report, you can anticipate your next moves for fishing. And plan your trip ahead of time. For instance, when you read the Manistee fishing report, you will have an overall idea about the area’s weather conditions and what you can expect in your next fishing expedition. The 2021 fishing report of Manistee River recorded:
- The flow of water in the Tippy Dam was below 1480 cubic foot
- The temperature in the winters when King Salmon are found ranging between 68-70 degrees
- The Suicide Bend region has been good for fishing –Summer Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout
This year, get set with all your gears, including – Streamers, tricks, beads, nymphs, wax worms, crankbaits, and jig baits that will serve best in catching the Brown Salmon.
Now you must be wondering how we can determine so much. Well, this is the secret that we wanted to reveal to you. By carefully reading and understanding the fishing reports, you will have an idea about most of the details and can easily plan your fishing trip.
Importance of preparing and reading fishing reports:
Anglers can gauge their future fishing expeditions by reading the fishing reports. Also, as stated by some of the experts in fishing, reading fishing reports will automatically enhance your experience in fishing, and the success rate will also be higher.
The weather conditions can greatly influence the fishing experiences in a location. However, when you read a fishing report, you will see how it will influence your judgment in spotting the right location to wait for King Salmon or any other fish of your choice. For example, if you plan your fishing trip to the Manistee River in November, we suggest you go through the previous year’s reports.
This way, you won’t be entirely clueless throughout your trip and will know what and what not to expect from your expedition.
Ways to read a Fishing report:
Just coming across a Manistee River Fishing Report is not enough; you will have to understand the various ways you must read it. Let us help you understand how to read between the lines and put the collected information to good use.
1. Guides and Tackle Shops are a good source:
In order to collect substantial information about a locality, there is no better option than relying on the local guides in the area. You can always get help from the tackle shop owners from whom you will purchase your fishing gear.
Also, to make a good impression with the shopkeepers and local guides, you must practice healthy interaction or hire their services and purchase goods from them.
2. Find out patterns to understand the reports better:
If you want to search for fishing reports, plenty is available online. However, how will you know which Manistee River Fishing Report you must trust and which to ignore? Again going back to our first point, finding readings and reports online is easy, but make sure to cross verify it with the information you have received from your professional guide or tackle shop owner.
Then it would help if you looked for certain signs:
- How are the fish behaving
- How is the weather influencing the fish
- What do the fishes prefer to bite on – Beads, soft plastics, or live baits
- Has the region recently experienced rain
Fishing reports will always help you differentiate a good fishing expedition from a bad one.
3. Know when to switch from online to offline mode:
Let’s be honest; not every time will the Internet be able to help you; in some cases, like obtaining the accurate Manistee fishing report, you will have to take instructions from someone who operates offline. Therefore, you must know when to rely on an online source and when to switch to offline mode.
4. Fishing report varies according to the species:
The behavior of fish varies greatly when saltwater and freshwater fish are compared. While the freshwater or river water fishes are stationary, saltwater fishes move around a lot. You cannot depend on the information that you find on online platforms. Getting the guidance of the local fishermen and anglers will provide you with the correct coordinate of the school of fish.
Conclusion:
Now that you have reached so far, you must be well acquainted with the importance of a Manistee fishing report. And we also hope that you have an overall idea of how to read the fishing reports and use them in your arsenal. So what are you waiting for? Let us know when you plan your fishing trip to the Manistee River for some fish and game.
Having the guidance of a professional angler by your side is very important to have an unmatched fishing experience. So, why deprive yourself of a quality trip when Betts Guide Service is here? Reach out to us at (248) 210-0827 and learn more about what we offer you.
Michigan Weekly DNR Fishing Reports for Salmon and Steelhead – Manistee River – Muskegon River (248) 210-0827
What is Fishing Tackle & What you Need it for Smallmouth Fishing

Going fishing? Do you have the right tackle? If the term is confusing you, there is nothing to worry about. It simply refers to the equipment or a box of gears you need to fish. Almost all types of fishing equipment can be called as tackle. In commercial terms, it’s called gears. But if you are fishing for recreational purpose, you will mostly hear about the tackle.
And, if you planning a Michigan smallmouth fishing trip, you definitely need the right tackle. The type of fishing equipment you use will depend on the technique. As you there are many fishing techniques like fly fishing and bait casting, spin fishing and trolling. Fly fishing popular method for fishing in the river water.
Knowing about tackle is important for the beginners. It will help your fishing technique and make you an efficient angler.
What is Fishing Tackle
Fishing tackle is set of gears, tools or equipment used for fishing. While there are so many tackles you can use, some are the very important and cannot be ignored like lines, hooks. and sinker. Apart from these, you will also need other equipment too like floats, baits, lures, roads, wades, and boxes. When you put them in a box or a container, you simply call it a tackle box.
Anglers need their tackle box to fish efficiently. It is important that the box is up to date and has all the important gears for fishing. Which is why you need to know about the various fishing gears you need.
What are the things you in your Tackle Box for Smallmouth Bass fishing?
Michigan smallmouth fishing is an exciting time for anglers. Like trout and steelhead, the smallmouth small too is not an easy fish to catch. You have to outsmart them too. With the right technique and equipment, you can easily catch the prized fish.
But before you go fishing for smallmouth, you need to ensure that you have all the things you need in your tackle box.
Here are some of the must-haves for smallmouth bass fishing trip in Michigan:
- Extra Hooks
No matter what type of fishing you are interested in, always carry extra hooks. This will help you stay prepared for catching all types of fish. But, if you are going for smallmouth bass fishing, you need the right hook. Some of the best types of hooks are the drop shot hook and extra wide gap hook. The type of hook you use will depend on the technique you will be using and your preference.
- Extra Lines
Just like extra hooks, you will also need extra lines. You can never tell when your lines may get stuck in the log or something and break. You need to be prepared for this. Extra lines will help you quickly get on with fishing and catch that smallmouth bass you want. choose fishing lines as per the place, weather condition and surroundings.
- Lures
You need lures to attract the smallmouth. Make sure that you have the right lures. You can use artificial lures to attract the fish you want to catch. You can then use the lures once again. Use the lures as per the type of fish you want to catch. For instance, if you are aiming for a big smallmouth bass, then choose a bigger lure. Bigger fish need bigger prey as their food requirement is different than small fish.
- Sinkers
Your hook and lures will not stay under water on their own. You need some weight to make them sink and that is when you need sinkers. Most of the sinkers are made of lead, but you can use steel and brass as well. You must have extra sinkers in your fishing tackle box so that you have a back-up.
The Bottom-line
Fishing tackle is important for anglers as it helps them catch the fish they way. It should contain all the equipment you need for fishing efficiently for a smallmouth bass. Make sure that you have all the things you need for Michigan smallmouth fishing trip.
Don’t want to be bothered with all the fishing equipment? Betts Guide Service is just for you. Our all-inclusive guided fishing service includes fishing gears, a boat and a guide. You can easily plan a fishing trip with your family and enjoy fishing with us. Learn from the experienced fishing guides and improve your fishing techniques. Text to Book now – (231) 519-7348
How to select the bait and lure for steelhead trout fishing?

When fishing for steelhead trouts, you will find significant differences in their luring compared to the other rainbow trout. The art of it can be explained by going through various steelhead fishing reports. The steelheads follow anadromy, which is going back to their exact birthplace for mating. They also venture into freshwater spaces and spend their lives at sea, unlike the rainbow trout, which dominantly occurs in the pacific ocean tributaries.
Selecting the proper bait and lure for steelhead fishing is, as before, an art. Here we will try to explain in an accurate perspective how to properly utilize equipment, time, and mentality to get your best catch of the day, every day.
Seasonal trends matter
When you go through steelhead fishing reports online, you will find that summer and winter steelheads differ from each other. Oftentimes are known as “summer-run” and “winter-run” during their respective seasons. Beginning in early November and continuing up to May, the winter season trouts are close to maturation and provide a lot of nutritional value.
During the onset of April, however, they start their migration to freshwater, keeping in mind their reproductive maturity on eggs and sperm production availability. They continue to do so and are finished with the whole migration process by the time November comes in. However, the reproductive maturity of summer-run fishes varies substantially as compared to their winter counterpart.
The important points you need to look through before angling, depending on the season, are as follows:-
- Summer-run steelheads are the most preferred as their metabolism is high during warm and comfortable water. They have more sexual aggression and mate well
- Summer-run steelheads, however, do not fully mature before they have migrated from saltwater to freshwater
- Winter-run steelheads have limited spawn timing as they are not reproductive ready during that season
- Various steelhead fishing reports suggest going for the summer-runs, hence more sought after as mentioned before
- Though different in their migration timings, both variants have spawn timings during the early summer and spring seasons
Time management is the key to a good catch
As mentioned in the earlier paragraphs, you need to get the timing right for your catch. Summer-run or winter-run is up to you to decide but getting a little insight on these will help you make a more educated decision. The winter fishes are in a race against time for their maturity and are predominantly moving to ocean tributaries from where they will go into the freshwater for summer maturation.
Keeping a steady plan to get a catch will help in the long run: –
- Follow the weather trend and the shoreline temperatures. Any indication of the temperature going down will push the fishes early into the river
- Depending on your area of living, check for local steelhead fishing reports to figure out the best possible time of getting a good catch
- Sometimes, aggressive steelheads do not even realize the water temperature and are all excited on their own. When the temperature starts to drop but is still holding in the high to mid-region, that can be the chance to get a catch if you have missed out on it at the beginning of the season
- During rainfall, a large number of fishes start pushing from the lower to the upper region of the river. Look for signs in the weather and take the opportunity if it presents
Look for reviews on catches and seasons online
Various online forums and archives are available where you can analyze the trends of a season and where a major variety of catches are being found. Being resourceful and gaining a lot of insight with steelhead fishing reports will ensure you find the best spot, time, bait, and lure for your angling needs. Whatever little information you may find, it will keep you in the loop on what’s going on in the scene and allow you to plan according to it.
Browsing in your local domain of anglers, you can find what type of trait works in what kind of environment. Following the hearing in these situations will make a difference in how you approach a catch. You can even book trips with professional anglers available in your locality and follow their path. Keeping in mind these simple characteristics of peers as they are light with years of insight and reports with the fish variant, their migration cycle, time of reproduction, and bulk availability in a particular area.
Conclusion
Researching steelhead fishing reports and monitoring the season and weather will help you determine the ideal timing for your catch. Flies work great as bait, and the aggressive fishes seem to love them when caught. Timing your lure for the peak season and keeping up with the local fishing scenario will go a long way for angling in the current and future seasons.
Are you looking for some quick fishing insights from experienced anglers? Our informational site provides you with a collection of steelhead fishing reports from yearly archives, along with the knowledge for bait and timing management. Head on to our website to go through our catalog of reports and what your fellow anglers are catching during the peak seasons. Get in touch with us at (231) 750-0673 or mail us at chadbetts@hotmail.com
Top 3 Steelhead Facts to Know Before You Start Fishing
When it’s Steelhead fishing on your mind, the right way to go would be to know everything there is about the art. This ensures that you can make the best of your time while catching the biggest fish of the day. Steelhead Trout & Rainbow Trout belong to the very same species while sharing similar appearances.
However, when you study the Steelhead fishing reports thoroughly, you would come to know that there sure is a major difference between the two. The Rainbows are actually native to the Pacific Ocean tributaries with cold water while living and hatching at the same place all their lives.
On the other hand, Steelhead Trout are known to venture into the freshwater spaces in order to spawn & spend a good segment of their life living at sea. Steelhead Trouts mostly return to their exact birthplace for mating, which is known as anadromy.
When you are out fishing, here are some facts that you might love to know and add to your fishing experience.
1-Winter and Summer Steelhead are Different:
It sure isn’t a secret that the steelhead fishing world is flourishing with two distinct steelhead variants. They are appropriately termed as “summer-run” and “winter-run” steelhead. Now, it might be fair to presume that the winter-run fishes are known to enter the area’s freshwater during the start of winter months, with summer-run migration starting early in the start of spring & summer.
Starting early in the month of November & continuing through the month of May, the winter-run fishes are known to enter the purge through the system when it is relatively developed close to maturation. At this stage, their bellies have been packed; time scarce, as well as the attention, concentrated.
As the Steelhead enter the freshwater, they undergo a transition from the saltwater area to freshwater. However, the winter-run species have limited access to spawn timing before they are ripe for reproduction with eggs and sperm.
On the other hand, summer-run fishes start venturing into the freshwater at the start of April. They start entering in bulk as the warmer months start in and are done before November starts approaching.
Apart from this, you also need to keep in mind the fact that the sexual maturity of your summer fishes tends to vary substantially from the winter counterparts. The reproductive organs of summer-run steelhead don’t mature until they have transitioned from saltwater to freshwater. Harvested historically, it has also been documented that retained entrails of the steelhead weren’t actually immature, rather barren.
Further, mild weather along with comfortable temperature within the water body enhances the metabolism of the Summer Steelhead while their aggression tends to be too high. This is why the summer-run fishes are sought after by most angling enthusiasts.
Regardless of the differences amid their migration timings, both summer-run and winter-run fishes spawn early in the summer and spring.
Read more: Muskegon River Steelhead Fishing Report – (231) 750-0673
2-Time-Management is the Key:
If you have fully understood the point explained above, you will surely relate when we say that timing is the key to it all. When you plan to fish and get a good result out of it, your timing must be right, or else you might not end up with a good catch or might have none at all.
The maturation of the fish drives both winter and summer fishes towards a set schedule of which one is surely laxer when compared to another. The winter fishes are all swollen & up against the clock set by Mother Nature close to the primarily dominating tributaries present within 100 miles of the closest ocean.
Both summer and winter Steelheads are known to survive as long as one year in the freshwater terrains without actually needing to feed in abundance. After battling through the long journeys & major obstacles, the summer-runs most often need an extra time allowance in order to ensure punctual arrival to the spawning beds.
The fish that venture further into the inland also need to factor in an increased presence of naturally occurring barriers that might or might not delay their travel. To get the best from the lot, time management sure is the need of the hour.
3-Otoliths are a Part of Steelhead Species:
Steelheads are known to have otoliths, also known as ear stones, located in their head right between their ears & behind the brain’s fleshy part. This solidified chunk of calcium carbonate is known to serve as an important segment of the balance and hearing system in the Steelhead fishes.
This chunk is primarily derived from the water & as the part grows older, there is a formation of new crystals of calcium carbonate that allows the trace water elements to successfully bind with the otoliths to help develop the layers.
Conclusion
With all these facts and figures known to you, we hope you have an amazing time fishing in the area of your choice and while you are at it, make sure you seek advice from your local fishing guide.
Are you in need of a reliable fishing guide service provider for an amazing fishing deal? If so, trust the services provided by Betts Guide Service. Our trained and experienced professionals know the right way to help you through the fishing process and make you better at the art with time. To know more about our services, give us a quick call at (231)-750-0673.