Michigan Weekly DNR Fishing Reports for Salmon and Steelhead – Manistee River – Manistee River (231) 519-7348


Michigan King SALMON Fishing report

Manistee River Salmon Fishing- River Salmon Fishing

Michigan DNR Fishing Reports for Manistee River.

King Salmon Fishing Report Sept 4, 2025
 Heavy winds and big rains the past two days have moved a lot of Salmon from Lake Michigan, into to the rivers.  Cold nights have also helped bring in more fish. There is a fishable amount of fresh Kings in the lower portion of the river.

Most action is by boat fishing near the cool creeks that flow into to the big river. Still slow at the dam with only a small handful of steelhead and salmon. Water is warm, low and continuing to drop. Most action is up top above the coffer/falls just before and after dark. Beads, flies, 1/4-1/2oz weight, 12-20lb leaders. There are no real large numbers of fish and most fishermen are going home empty handed but it’s nice to see a few fish here and there smashing the surface. It’s a great feeling to know, they are finally there and it’s only going to get better and better every week.

Good luck out there friends and neighbors. Tight lines.

Big Lake Charters in both Ludington and Manistee have been reporting excellent catches of King Salmon, Steelhead, Coho, and Lake Trout. Trolling spoons have been the most productive including Limeade, Blue Dolphin, Orange Crush, and Wonder Bread Blue. Sable Point and Manistee are producing good numbers. 
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Coho, Steelhead, and Lake Trout have been some nice bi catch as well.  This should make for an excellent fall season on the Big Manistee River below Tippy Dam.  We are looking forward to Tippy Day Salmon Fishing 2025.  

Lots of new fish are entering the river right now. Recent rains have bumped the water levels for improved Salmon migrations.  The Lower Pere Marquette River between Custer and Scottville has been loaded with salmon staging to move up river. Floats and skein has been very effective.  Casting Thunder stick lures in the morning has also been fishing well.  Fire Tiger has been the best color. 

The Big Manistee River has a ton of King Salmon and Coho, starting to spawn and hitting the gravel. Salmon fishing has been excellent at this time. Lots and lots of Salmon, and a handful of Steelhead near Tippy Dam, on the Manistee River.    Fly flossing fish on gravel has been very effective with long leaders, pencil weights, and black flies, or black yarn. Salmon don’t bite while on gravel, however, it is legal to run the line through their mouth. Fly fishing guides have been using this for years, this technique is very effective for spawning Salmon and Steelhead. Here is a video, on How To Floss Salmon & Steelhead on gravel. 

 Salmon have been pouring into Western Michigan rivers after the heavy North Eastern winds from last week.  The Lake Michigan temperatures have plummeted,  bringing in cooler water, and good numbers of King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead, into the White, Muskegon, Pere Marquette, Big Manistee, and Betsie rivers.   Recently, one Michigan fishing guide stated, “This is just the beginning!  Lot’s more salmon will enter the rivers.  Lots of bright fish entering the river.  September should see the best Salmon fishing of the year, in Northern Michigan.   
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Michigan Salmon Guides for the Manistee River. King Salmon Guides MI
Michigan Fall Steelhead Float Fishing _ Muskegon River Steelhead
Guided Fall Steelhead Trips - Tippy Dam

November brings into prime time Muskegon River Fall Steelhead. The Muskegon River had an incredible Fall King Salmon migration.  October was packed with spawning Chinook Salmon near Thornapple and Pine Street. Every inch of gravel seemed to have fish on or near it.  Salmon fishing was great to say the least!!   

   The Mighty Muskegon River has a ton of dime bright, chrome Fall Steelhead. One of the better runs over the past several years, this fall out shines them all, as per sheer numbers of fish.  Steelhead fishing should remain good well into New Years. There are plenty of Steelhead in the river, with a lot more coming in from the Lake. 

We have Michigan Fall Steelhead Guides available for both November or December Fall Steelhead.  

 Let us hook you up!!   Text to book  (231) 519-7348

King Salmon from the Big Manistee River. September 2023
DNR fishing reports for the Manistee River. 2023

Looks like we have a great weekend coming up for Salmon fishing in Michigan!! We had several days of hard North East winds that significantly cooled the water temperatures down along the lake shore.  Pere Marquette Lake, Ludington, Manistee Lake, Muskegon Lake, and Grand Haven now have King Salmon in close and pushing against the shore line.  Recent rains have brought up river levels which should bump salmon into the river systems with Pere Marquette River, and Manistee hot on that list. Muskegon Lake may have a few salmon as well. 

Michigan King Salmon - Ludington

Welcome to the weekly Michigan Fishing Reports for the Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee River for Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead. Updated DNR fishing reports for Western Michigan rivers, including Manistee, Tippy Dam, and Pere Marquette River for Salmon fishing.  We recommend Betts Guide Service for guided salmon fishing.

Starting to see good numbers of King Salmon entering Pere Marquette Lake and Manistee Lake. Salmon are beginning to stage in the lake and a few have already entered the river.  Look for good pushes to start entering the river this week.   

Jigging trips have been increasingly productive on Pere Marquette Lake.  Gabe has been doing Well with King Salmon jigging trips with customers. This year salmon numbers are less than normal however, the Salmon Fishing Reports in Michigan, indicate much larger than average, Salmon this year.  Fall Salmon in the rivers should be giant tackle busters!  Less fish will be landed but the Kings will be HUGE!!   

 

The best available Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates are from early September through late October.
King Salmon migrate into the rivers first, then Coho Salmon and Fall Steelhead.

Make Fishing Reservations for Salmon Fishing.  
 (231) 519-7348

Welcome to the weekly Fishing Reports for the Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee River for Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead. Updated DNR fishing reports for Western Michigan rivers, including Manistee, Tippy Dam, and Pere Marquette River for Salmon fishing.  We recommend Betts Guide Service for guided salmon fishing.

The best available Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates are from early September through late October.
King Salmon migrate into the rivers first, then Coho Salmon and Fall Steelhead.

Make Fishing Reservations for Salmon Fishing.   (231) 519-7348

December offers some of the best Fall and Winter Steelhead fishing that Michigan has to offer.  Both the Muskegon River, and the Manistee River sport great Steelhead fishing action.  Good numbers of both Lake Trout, Coho Salmon, and Steelhead below the coffer at Tippy Dam.  

King Salmon on Pere Marquette Lake
King Salmon Fishing Manistee River

Zach and Anthony have been consistantly getting fresh Kings on Manistee and Pere Marquette Lake near Ludington.  North East winds have been a game changer, bringing in cold water from Lake Michigan.  Jigging and casting Thundersticks has been the most productive. Salmon skein eggs under a float has also been doing well.   

Manistee River Salmon Fishing
King Salmon in Manistee River Harbor, Jigging season has started with Salmon moving into the river daily.
Casting Thunder Sticks at the river mouths has also been productive. New fish entering the river.

Strong North West winds have started to kick off our 2024 Fall Michigan King Salmon run on the Big Manistee River, and Pere Marquette River. Jigging 1 oz Luna Spoons has been producing fish. King Salmon this year seem to be running large. The upcoming season looks good with lots of bright Salmon on the horrizon.  

We recommend Betts Guide Service for guided salmon fishing.

The best available Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates are from early September through late October.
(September 7th – October 20th)  Spinning Tackle, and Fly Fishing Available.
King Salmon migrate into the rivers first, then Coho Salmon and Fall Steelhead.

Make Fishing Reservations for Salmon Fishing.   (231) 519-7348 

Michigan Steelhead Fishing Reports _ Muskegon River
Michigan Steelhead Fishing Guides
Michigan Winter Steelhead Fishing - Tippy Dam Steelhead
Manistee River Tippy Dam Steelhead Fishing

Michigan Steelhead Fishing Reports – Steelhead Fishing has been excellent on both the Muskegon River, Big Manistee, and the Grand River. November is truly a prime Time month for Steelhead in Michigan.  Steelhead have been running a muck larger size this year. Plentiful forage (Food) base in Lake Michigan has made for some monster Salmon, Steelhead, and Lake Trout.  This is certainly the year for giants. Fishing should remain very good for steelhead well into the new year.  CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW or Text to book. (231) 519-7348

Tippy Dam Fall Steelhead - Michigan Steelhead
Michigan Steelhead Fishing

Manistee River is starting to get a decent number of Michigan Fall Steelhead. Water levels are perfect for fall fishing. There’s still plenty of King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Lake Trout, and resident river trout. Tippy Dam area has been fishing well, and should continue to fishing well for the next several weeks. 

Pere Marquette Salmon Fishing Guides_ Michigan DNR Reports
Gorgeous King Salmon from the Lower Pere Marquette River.
Tippy Dam Skamania Steelhead

Tippy Dam Recreational Area has come alive over the past several days with fishing activity. Starting to see fishable numbers of bright, fresh King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Fall River Steelhead. a handful of Skamania Steelhead are also in the system.  King Salmon are now beginning to spawn and dig in the gravel. Look forward to an excellent Fall Salmon migration.  One for the record books for Huge Kings, and Plentiful Coho Salmon.  Book Now!!   

Pere Marquette King Salmon. Custer Scottville Salmon Fishing.
King Salmon Fishing- Manistee River Salmon
Caster Deep Junior Thunder Sticks has been very productive for King Salmon on the Pere Marquette River.
Custer King Salmon _ Pere Marquette River
Custer King Salmon PM River

Over the past several days, we have seen the main push of Michigan King Salmon entering the rivers in Northern Michigan. Pere Marquette, Manistee, Betsie, Platte, and Bear Creek, and Bordman, all receiving a big shot of salmon.  Look for excellent salmon fishing over the never several weeks. The King Salmon are huge this year!! cooler temperatures, and a little rain has significantly helped the salmon migration in Michigan. More to come… 

Manistee River Salmon Fishing
Nathan displays a gorgeous bright King Salmon from the Pere Marquette River mouth. Lots of salmon moving around. King Salmon coming in strong.

Jigging Kings in Pere Marquette Lake.  Most days, they’re huggin the bottom.  Lovin the Luna Jigs! 
 Salmon Season 2019.  

Michigan Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing
We started off this moring with a double - Michigan King Salmon. Recent rains have brought in good numbers of fish into the rivers. Pere Marquette, Big Manisteee, Betsie, and Bear Creek all have fishable numbers of salmon. Look for more salmon to enter the rivers this week. Michigan Salmon fishing is on now!
PM King Salmon _ MI Salmon Fishing
Starting to see lots of bright King Salmon in Pere Marquette Lake near Ludington.
Pere Marquette Salmon Fishing Guides
Get Jiggy with it!! Salmon season is going well. Jigging for salmon in Pere Marquette Lake is excellent.
Michigan Salmon Fishing - Manistee River
Starting to see good numbers of Michgan King Salmon on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Salmon are going to be huge this fall with good numbers.
Manistee River King Salmon _ Tippy Dam
Casting Thundersticks for King Salmon in Michigan, Manistee River, Tippy Dam.

Weather and its effect

First of all, North West winds have dramatically changed the water temperatures along the lake shore therefore making shore line temperatures along the coast line very cold.  This should bring Michigan King Salmon into the rivers early.  Cold shoreline temps kick off good fishing along the piers. Manistee River has a good number of Skamania Summer Run Steelhead below the coffer and Tippy Dam.  King Salmon have also entered the Manistee River. The average size of Michigan King Salmon this year is 22 lbs!! 

Manistee River King Salmon Fishing below Tippy Dam
Early Season King Salmon from the Manistee River.
Casting Thunder Sticks for Salmon in Manistee.
Casting Thunder Sticks for early season King Salmon on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Bone crushing hits on the crank baits . DNR Fishing Reports.

The best times for Michigan King Salmon is quickly approaching. Bright Chinook, Coho, and Summer Run Skamania Steelhead are now entering Lake Michigan rivers. Pere Marquette and the Big Manistee River have the best Salmon migrations right now.  The Muskegon River gets salmon later in the season. Best times for Salmon fishing in Michigan is late August, through early November hence September and October is prime. Coho Salmon also run later on the Manistee River below Tippy Dam.  Make Salmon Reservations >> Book Here. 

Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing - Manistee River Michigan
Fresh Coho Salmon below Tippy Dam.
Manistee River King Salmon
Starting to see good numbers of bright fresh King Salmon on the Manistee River.

Best time for fishing

The best salmon fishing in rivers takes place in September and October.  Prime salmon fishing is during the month of October for King and Coho Salmon.  Skamania Summer Run Steelhead, and early Fall Steelhead also enter the rivers in late October and November.  Tippy Dam area fishes very well during the fall months. (231) 519-7348

Casting Thundersticks for Michigan King Salmon
King Salmon landed on Deep Junior ThunderStick Lure.
ThunderStick Lure Selection For Michigan King Salmon
ThunderStick Collection for Michigan Salmon Fishing

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Manistee River Salmon Fishing Reports – Tippy Dam (231) 519-7348


Manistee River Salmon Fishing Reports
King Salmon Fishing- Manistee River Salmon
Manistee River King Salmon _ Tippy Dam

Many of the harbors along the lake shore are starting to see Salmon enter the rivers. The Lake Michigan Water temperatures “Flipped” or dropped significantly over the last several days, kicking off some very good Salmon fishing.   Starting to see many King Salmon in the Little Manistee River near Stronach Rd. Lots of Kings in the pools below the “Tubes” on the Little Manistee River.   Fishing floats and Salmon Skein eggs below a float, drifted through the deeper holes, has been producing some fish.  Flossing with a single trout bead, and black stone fly has also been very productive when fishing for King Salmon.  Please remember while flossing, Salmon and Steelhead MUST be hooked in the mouth, to be a legal catch. Anglers must be 100′ from the weir while fishing.  I know its tempting to snag them there but please don’t do it. Starting to see good numbers of King Salmon loading up in Manistee Lake, and Pere Marquette Lake.  Charter boats have been doing well there the last few days.  North East winds have improved Salmon fishing. Jigging PM Lake has also been productive. There has been a handful of Skamania Steelhead, and King Salmon at Tippy Dam, Manistee River.                                                 
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Manistee River Steelhead Fishing - SPring Steelhead in Michigan. Guided Steelhead Tippy Dam
Michigan Steelhead Fishing Guides

The Manistee River below Tippy Dam has just received a nice push of bright, chrome Spring Steelhead.  Good numbers of Steelhead the past few days.  Spring snow melt and recent rains have brought water levels up, to near perfect flow levels.  Steelhead fishing should remain very good during all of March and April.    

  Capt Daryll has been doing very well fishing with floats and beads.  Bright colors, and variants of chartreuse, pink, and natural orange have all been working well for Steelhead and Trout. Feather jigs tipped with waxworms have also been fishing well.  Mornings and the last two hours before dark, have been the best bite.  Our afternoon half days have been fishing well, with slightly warmer water temperatures. Look for more Steelhead entering the river each day.     

Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing
Salmon Fishing Tippy Dam _Manistee River

Manistee River Salmon Fishing – Tippy Dam Recreational Area 
Salmon fishing is in full swing now with good numbers of Kings on gravel, visible spawning fish.  Lots of both Coho Salmon, Chinook Salmon, Fall Steelhead, King Salmon, and Lake Trout near Tippy Dam.  Recent rains have pulled salmon into the upper sections of the Manistee River. Salmon fishing should be excellent from here on out. 

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Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing - Michigan
Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing _ Michigan
Manistee River Salmon Fishing
Jigging in Manistee Lake has been proving effective for moster King Salmon. Salmon fishing is now good through the Manistee River, near Tippy Dam.
Manistee River Salmon Fishing

Strong Winds and current change has brought good numbers of Michigan King Salmon into the River. Kings continue to move throughout the river system, up to the Tippy Dam area. Casting crank baits and fishing skein under a float has been the most productive for us. The main run of salmon has entered Manistee Lake. Salmon fishing should be good from here on out…

PM King Salmon _ MI Salmon Fishing
Dustin with a gorgeous bright King Salmon from Manistee Lake. Salmon entering the Manistee River daily.
Pere Marquette Salmon Fishing Guides
Zack with a huge buck!! Fresh Kinges in the Manistee River. Salmon season is in full swing. Book Now!!

There seems to be good numbers of bright King (Chinook) Salmon in Manistee River.  Salmon are beginning to ascend the Manistee River below Tippy Dam. Michigan Salmon fishing is going strong. Cooler water temperature and a North East wind has brought in Salmon.    Morning fishing has been fishing the best.  Jigging in Manistee Lake, Floating bobbers with fresh Salmon skein eggs, Trout bead fishing has all been producing good Salmon catches.  

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Michigan Salmon Fishing - Manistee River
King Salmon are big this season! Starting to see new Salmon entering the river near the train trestle and Insta-Launch.
Manistee River King Salmon Fishing below Tippy Dam
Starting to see fresh King Salmon below Tippy Dam on the Big Manistee River. Higher water levels are bringing Salmon in from Lake Michigan.

Recent high water levels over the past several weeks have brought in a fair number of fresh bright King Salmon on the Big Manistee River. The lower sections near the train trestle near Insta-Launch has been fishing well. Casting crank baits (thundersticks) Mag Lips, and drift Salmon skein under a float has been producing some very respectable fish, both King Salmon, Coho Salmon, and Summer Run Skamania Steelhead.  Salmon fishing has been best first thing in the morning, when light levels are low.    Text to Book >>> (231) 519-7348 

Manistee River King Salmon
Casting Thundersticks has been producing some very nice Salmon. The train trestle area and Insta-Launch is producing nice King Salmon, Steelhead, and Coho Salmon.
Manistee River King Salmon
Chrome King Salmon from the Manistee River. New Fish entering the river daily.

The best Salmon fishing on the Big Manistee River is during early September through late October and November for King Salmon. Steelhead and Coho Salmon are found below Tippy Dam in October and Novermber. Guided Salmon, Trout, Steelhead, and Smallmouth Bass trips, tours, and charters on the Big Manistee River below Tippy Dam. 

King Salmon fillets - Tippy Dam Recreation Area
Fresh King Salmon & Coho Salmon Fillets at Tippy Dam Recreation Area - Fish Cleaning Sation.
Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing - Manistee River Michigan