Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports ~ Salmon Trips


King Salmon from the Big Manistee River. September 2023

We are now heading into peak week for salmon on the Big Manistee River. Lots and lots of salmon everywhere on the Big Manistee River. Good numbers of larger, King Salmon this season with a decent amount of Coho as well. . Much larger average size this year. We are also starting to land a few steelhead each day. Also hitting a few Lake Trout below the coffer at Tippy Dam.

Salmon fishing is going strong on the Big Manistee and Muskegon Rivers in Michigan. Good catches of Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead.

Good numbers of King Salmon on the Big Manistee River. Michigan King Salmon Guides.

Go big or go home!! John landed this beast – His first Michigan, Pere Marquette River Salmon!!

Floats & Skein on the Big Manistee River. Salmon fishing up North has been excellent! Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing – Guided Salmon.

Nothing beats working for it! In a sea full of salmon, nothing is better than finding the dime piece!! New Steelhead starting to show up!

Tippy Dam salmon are rockin in full tilt!! Good numbers of both King and Coho Salmon. Lots of fish with lots more coming.

We are starting to see big numbers of both King Salmon, and Coho Salmon on the Big Manistee and Pere Marquette Rivers. Michigan Salmon Fishing is in full swing now!

King and Coho Salmon are excellent table fare. We allow our clients to keep a limit of salmon per day. (5) Salmon per angler on the Manistee River.

October 11th – Michigan Salmon Fishing Report – Big Manistee River & Muskegon River

Big Manistee River: Tippy Dam is now starting to have good numbers of both King and Coho Salmon. Big numbers of Coho above the coffer at Tippy. A few of the salmon are beginning to hit gravel and spawn. Things are running behind schedule with the heat last week. Look for peak salmon season in mid to late October this year. Fishing is now just starting to get good!

Some of the creek mouths have good numbers of Coho salmon. Manistee River has been hit or miss with big pushes of fish moving through at times. Water levels are great right now for good salmon movement. Crank bait fishing (Thunder sticks) has been consistently good during the mornings. Skein fishing behind log jams has been good during the day. Red and pink producing the most fish. Some Steelhead also beginning to come in near Insta Launch.

Pere Marquette River Salmon: Most of the numbers of King Salmon have moved into the Upper Pere Marquette River- “Flies Only” Section. Incredible numbers of fish in the holes, with spawning salmon on gravel. Taylor Road, Upper to Walhalla, Barothy’s, and Rainbow Rapids to Sulac is loaded with salmon. Upper and Lower flies only water is also fishing very well. Stone flies, eggs patterns, leeches, and fry patterns are all producing fish. White / Chartreuse streamers in the morning.

Muskegon River Salmon Fishing Report:(10/11) Cooler water temperatures and rain has helped bring in more salmon to the Muskegon River. Pods of fish are finally starting to move. A big push finally moved through Muskegon River and entered the river. There was a slight concentration above Thornapple in the “Pipe hole”, and a small pocket below the clay banks near Boat house. End of story, not much going on. Water temperature is still in the low 70’s. Too warm for salmon. Maybe a week or so and cold nights may bring up a few more Muskegon River salmon. I wouldn’t expect fishable numbers of salmon until mid October.

Here are our open Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates for the Manistee River (Below Tippy Dam) or the Muskegon River (Near Newaygo). Guided Salmon Trips are all Inclusive, Includes all the gear, tackle, rods, reels that you may need. Heck, We’ll even clean your salmon for you!

It’s should be an outstanding season with some really large fish this year. We are also expecting massive Coho Salmon migration later October, on the Big Manistee River – Fall Salmon Season.
Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports.

Full Day (8 hr Day) $395 ~ Half Day (4.5hrs) $295 (Two Anglers) ~ Text to Book>> (231) 519-7348 ​

Jigging. Casting. Float Fishing. We are gettin’ em!! Michigan Salmon Guides.

Good Numbers of Michigan King Salmon in the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and the Big Manistee River. Michigan Salmon Fishing.

Salmon trips have been going well. Good numbers of salmon so far and they are huge this year!! If you get one, it will be big!! Scattered shots of salmon pushing in from the Lake. Both Pere Marquette Lake and Manistee Lake are starting to fill in. We are doing both jigging trips, and floats and skein for King Salmon in Michigan.

Lake Michigan’s water temperature in Ludington last night was 47.6 degrees. Definitely a lake flip to bring in fresh salmon into the Pere Marquette River. This is our second big Push of Kings to happen before Labor Day.

Trickle charge of salmon entering Pere Marquette Lake and River. Manistee Lake is also starting to load up. Michigan Salmon are large this year, I’ve heard of several 30 lb King Salmon landed off Manistee. It’s about to bust lose! Here are our available Michigan salmon fishing dates listed below.

ALL INCLUSIVE GUIDED SALMON FISHING>> $395 full day.
(8 hrs) $295 half day. (4.5hrs)

Thomas with a gorgeous salmon from the Pere Marquette River mouth in Ludington.

Starting to see good numbers of salmon in Pere Marquette Lake. Some salmon are entering the river. Early Season King Salmon.

Salmon are lots of fun! Good numbers starting to enter the rivers. Michigan Salmon Fishing. Pere Marquette Lake and Manistee Lake have good numbers of fresh King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Skamania Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Fall Steelhead. Fishing Should be excellent this fall.

This year class of Salmon are in very good condition. Fat and healthy. Great table fare for sure!

Michigan King Salmon on the brain!

Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates available for the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and Big Manistee Rivers. ($395 / 2 anglers) All inclusive guided Michigan Salmon Fishing River Trips.

Michigan Salmon Fishing Guides – We’re very excited about the up coming 2018 Fall Salmon Season on the Pere Marquette and Big Manistee Rivers. We have a limited, 5 guide boats available for salmon fishing.

Guided Salmon Trips are $395. Half days are $295. Per two anglers.

** A third angler may be added to any trip for an additional $100. (Two angler fish at a time)

It’s should be an outstanding season with some really large fish this year. We are also expecting a massive Coho Salmon migration on the Big Manistee River – Fall Salmon Season. Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports.

Text to book (231) 519-7348 or Book Now!

Bobbers & Skein on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Rockin those big Kings!

Skein Ballin’ the Lower Pere Marquette River.
One of our most popular guided fishing trips is fishing King Salmon on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Drifting Skein (Fresh Salmon Eggs) From Indian Bridge to Scottville is a very productive method of salmon fishing. Bait Casters, Center pinning, or spin fishing works very well. King Salmon actually BITE salmon eggs under a float!! (Yes, I said bite salmon eggs) Salmon bite skein like a blue gill, followed by a hook set that sounds like a Muzzy broad head through a rib cage. No holds barred – Hand to hand combat with Michigan’s King Salmon. The Woodland Chinook of the Pere Marquette River.

Michigan King Salmon ~ Muskegon River (231) 519-7348


Michigan King Salmon - Ludington
Michigan Trout Fishing Report
Michigan Smallmouth Bass Fishing Reports

Muskegon River Trout fishing is going streong at this time.  Excellent hatches, such as the Gray Drake, Isonychia Bicolor, and Cinnamon Sedge Caddis.  These hatches generally occur during the evening.  Afternoon hatch fishing trips have been the most productive during the day.  

Smallmouth Bass fishing on the Muskegon River.  June, July, and August offer some of the finest summer time fishing in Michigan.  These fish are powerful, and love to fight!!   There are multiple ways to fish them, with light spinning gear, and fly fishing being top on the list. 

Michigan River Sucker Spawn - Sucker Spawn Fishing Muskegon River
Steelhead Eggs and Salmon Fry - Muskegon River Sucker Spawn
Michigan Salmon Guides for the Manistee River. King Salmon Guides MI

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! 

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

The Big Manistee River is now at full peak, King Salmon fishing! There are lots on fresh Kings entering the river from the Lake Michigan, with new fish entering the river daily. Good numbers of Chinook Salmon, Coho Salmon, and a handful of Fall Steelhead.   Best methods for fishing have been floats and skein eggs. Red or bright pink, has been the ticket for fish holding in the deep holes. Casting Thunder stick lures have also been working very well, especially during the morning hours.  Salmon are also beginning to dig gravel and spawn. Flossing is in full effect.  Long leaders with pencil weights, and dark flies have been fishing very well for spawning salmon.

Water levels are low and clear, making for excellent wading below Tippy Dam. Look for good fishing over the next few weeks.  Plenty of Salmon, with a bunch more coming. 

 If you need some Salmon fishing supplies, or rod and reel combos, stop in at Pappy’s Bait and Tackle. They have everything you need!   You have Herb clean your fish.  They also have Salmon for sale, from the Little Manistee River.

We have guided Salmon trips available for the Big Manistee River below Tippy dam.   Full Day ( 6hrs) $500 per 2 people. Half days available (4hrs) for two anglers. ($400 / 2 ppl).  Fish cleaning, and all gear and tackle is included. 

Text or book on the website.  (231) 519-7348 

Tippy Dam Steelhead fishing
Guided Fall Steelhead Trips - Tippy Dam

As our Big Manistee River King Salmon run winds to an end, we look forward to Fall Steelhead fishing through November and December.  With 2024 being one of the largest Salmon runs in history, it’s no wonder, this Fall Steelhead will be fantastic this year. Kings and Steelhead go hand in hand. If you have a great Salmon year, the Fall Steelhead and Lake Trout will be excellent.   Here at Tippy Dam, we are starting to see, and catch good numbers of both super skippers, and adult Steelhead.  Low water hasn’t slowed them down. Steelhead rush up to the Tippy Dam area for the constant salmon egg production.  Salmon eggs are pure protein for Trout, and Steelhead.  

With eggs being the only thing on the menu, that puts bead fishing into over drive!  light colored natural bead colors, such as natural orange and peach have really been fishing well.  10 mm Beads seem to be working the best. Look for Steelhead fishing to really heat up if we get some rain at the end of October. 

We have guide dates available for Steelhead on both the Muskegon River, or the Big Manistee River below Tippy.  Send us a text for booking.  (231) 519-7348

Michigan Winter Steelhead Guides
Michigan Steelhead Fishing Guides

Much more mild than normal, Winter tempratures have offered anglers some great Steelhead fishing oppertunities. The Muskegon and Manistee Rivers has had excellent migrations of Fall and Winter Steelhead, with fresh Steelhead entering from the lake daily. 

Trout Beads, Spawn Sack, Jigs with Waxworms, all fishing well. 

Text to Book >> (231) 519-7348

Click here to make a Steelhead Fishing Reservation

 

Manistee River below Tippy Dam, has been fishing extremely well.  Good numbers good, clean Fresh King Salmon, have loaded up on the gravel shoals.   Absolutely, lots of salmon!  Steelhead are also starting to show up in good numbers.  Recent rains from this week, have brought in a lot of new fish as well.   Things are look good, as late October is super prime time for the Big Manistee River King Salmon fishing in Michigan. 

Guided Fall Steelhead Trips - Tippy Dam

Big Manistee River Salmon and Steelhead – Guided Fishing Adventures in Western Michigan. 

Michigan Trout Fishing Reports
Michigan Trout Fishing Reports

Hatch Master’s Evening Special – 5pm -10pm 

Fly Fishing Evening (After work) Special for two anglers – Muskegon River 
( $295 for two anglers – 4.5 hours )

Both Trout fishing, and Smallmouth are going strong on the Muskegon River. Gravel redds on the Muskegon River continue to have Red Horse Suckers, and Great Lakes Suckers spawning on the gravel shoals.  King Salmon Fry (Salmon Smolt) are the main food source in the river at this time. Sucker Spawn for trophy Brown Trout is coming soon.  

Morning Spinning Brown Trout – Smallmouth Bass Trips 
Trophy Brown Trout on crank baits – Smallmouth Bass on soft plastics. 
7am – Noon ~ ($295 for two anglers) 
All inclusive guided fishing on the Muskegon & Big Manistee Rivers. 

     We are very excited to be able to resume guiding at this time.  Both Steelhead and Trout trips are now available.  If you had a deposit from April, you may now float it to a new date.  Now is also a great time to book a Michigan Fall Salmon trip as well.  Many of our rescheduled trips have moved to September and October.  Its a good time to get on the salmon calendar now.  

     We look forward to fishing will you. Thanks for the helping us get through this!!  

Full Day Guided Fishing Reservation  or Text to book (231) 519-7348

 

Michigan Trout Fishing Report – Trout fishing on the Mighty Muskegon River and Big Manistee River, has been going well. Good numbers over both winter hold overs, (12″ – 18′) and this year’s recently stocked hatchery Michigan Trout. (8″ – 10″) Plentiful Trout makes for a really great day of guided fishing with constant activity. Lots of Trout, and lots of catching.  Both morning (light Spinning tackle) and afternoon-evening trips are going well. 

Michigan Trout Fishing Reports
Trophy Trout are available during May. The Muskegon River Sucker Spawn attracts huge trout!
Michigan Trout Fishing Report
May and June offer the best times for larger, trophy Muskegon River Trout.

A variety of techniques have been working very well for Michigan Trout fishing. The best techique for Trout has been casting spinners on light spinning tackle. This technique in not a big fish trick but, more a less a numbers gig. Great for kids, (We pinch the barbs down, barbless) Because it’s much safer, and doesn’t injure the Steelhead and Salmon Smolt that we catch. I’m personally a fan of barbless hooks for Trout.  Tons of Trout are caught so it’s not a big deal to lose a few.  This in an excellent trip to introduce kids into river Trout fishing. 

Michigan Trout Fishing - Trout Reports MI
Muskegon River Sucker Spawn.
Michigan Trout Fishing Reports
Summertime Trout Fishing on the Muskegon River.

We are offering all inclusive, guided Trout Fishing Trips for the Full Day for $350 ( $50 Discount for Summer) and the evening “Hatch Master’s Special, evening dry fly Trout fishing trip.  (4pm – 9pm) for $250 – Evening Trips. 
Text to Book >>> (231) 519-7348