The Au Sable River is an awesome fishery. The Au Sable turns east and gathers the flow of the East Branch at the town of Grayling. My daughter Sierra was recently at an Outward Bound leadership week, and they use the evening ritual, “A rose, a bud and a thorn” to share feelings about the day. Pine River Map. River Road (parallels the north side of the river) and East River road are found near and lead to Tippy Dam. Below Mancelona Road you will find access in the town of Deward off of Fayette Road, County Road 612 Bridge, the CCC Bridge, and Sharon Bridge. The special regulations put upon this stretch have helped to preserve this great resource. We will paddle three canoes carrying our son and daughter and their significant others, spending five days on the river and camping out four nights. We hear it has just rained a lot recently. It meets the mainstream a short distance below Wakeley Bridge. Two feet from shore, our boat hits a submerged log and tips us over. This is a productive stretch of river that has a lot of good holding water and some trophy fish as well. The river below Tippy Dam flows aggressively towards Lake Michigan over a sand and rocky bottom. Brook, brown and some rainbow trout can be found in its waters. 6. It's an experience like no other. To plan your trip we have a river map, float times, hatch chart, and migration schedule. The gift of the current is the distance it allows us to cover, nearly effortlessly. and walk down to the Manistee River for a first look, we stare in disbelief, our mouths falling open. Mailing Address: 274 River Road Beach Lake, PA 18405 . Parking is available at both access points. Access to the upper section of Manistee River can be found near M-38 (Mancelona Road) and is best fished with a light fly rod (2-4 weight). Contact the Park. The stream looks like it’s alive. Copyright © 2008 - 2020 Prism Publications, Northern Michigan Guides & Resources, Iconic Outdoor Attraction: Manistee River, Spring Camping in Northern Michigan (Gear Tips + Trail Recommendations). It's a beautiful river and likely very beautiful year round (we were there in August). There are also plenty of other areas to access the upper river. We watch for connecting creeks, swivel our heads backward where a break in the bank indicates that a stream could be entering—a reference point to give us an idea of where we are in our course. These sites are provided for the public with the expressed sole purposes of boating and fishing. Paddle sports Forest River Views Wildlife. Contact the Park. It is so close, it nearly splashes the rodless fishermen, and we erupt in laughter. We find the designated campgrounds and the potable water, indicated on the pocket river map, which is important to secure for your trip. Scottsville to Hardware River W.M.A. The person in the bow powers the boat and scouts, while the rear keeps the boat straight by ruddering and paddle assist. Best rod weights for the Upper? The “Flies-Only” water offers some 15 miles of wadable, or floatable water. Wading is a challenge although it can be accomplished in certain areas. Access points to the river are fairly easy to find and pretty evenly spread out downstream from Baldwin. The North Branch flows southeasterly passing through Lovells eventually emptying into the Mainstream a few miles downstream from the South Branch. Beautiful trout filled pools, runs, and riffles litter this section. The water widens as other tributaries feed in, build the flow, and carve a more direct path. Trails: Manistee River Trail. We originally planned on doing approximately 25 river miles a day but with such a swift current, we cover 35 miles without much effort. 231-228-7135. Fallen logs, deep pools, swift runs, and charming riffles all help to create classic holding water for steelhead and salmon. A new family of ducks floats by, the youngsters in a single line peeling off mama duck’s rear, except for one duckling, who sits on her back, not a drop of water wetting his feathers. Shore To Shore Trail - South Spur. 4 to 6-wt. During our trip, we experience the Manistee as a river of solitude. Frontage: River. It has a nice riverwalk which lets you enjoy it from the start of the mouth at Lake Michigan all the way to Manistee Lake. The water is deep and strong in many areas. I fished the Upper Manistee early this week when the air temperatures hit the 70’s and water was in the mid 50’s. View Lower Sunrise Map. rods will keep you out of trouble. Big Manistee River is one of the premier rivers of Michigan, offering over 90 miles of access and varied difficulty levels, from beginner to expert paddling experiences (depending on the segment). Turtles bask on logs, their rear legs splayed open behind them like puppies on a floor. We gather firewood for ambiance and additional mosquito control. Steelhead and salmon both migrate up this section of the river and can be caught in the same manner as the other great lake tributaries. These enormous 8 to 15 pound lake-run rainbow trout draw anglers from around the world. Paddlecraft Rental. Below Mancelona Road you will find access in the town of Deward off of Fayette Road, County Road 612 Bridge, the CCC Bridge, and Sharon Bridge. Anglers come to this river for more than just its great angling as it is also a beautiful and serene river. Like many rivers, the higher up the river you go, the swifter the current and tighter the turns. Lot Size: 120. Rope swings dangle, lifeless, longing for a child to swing from them and make them come alive. Fishing Access Points along the Little Manistee River in Manistee County Michigan from river mouth to 9 Mile Bridge. The waterway is considered to be one of the best trout streams east of the Rockies and has a stable flow of clean, cold water year round … perfect for paddling. Consult the map for opportunities. Campground Info - Camping Cabins - Policy - Campground Map. Wildlife and Ecology Last updated: July 1, 2017. Like the upper areas quality hatches make it a wonderful stretch. We include a link to Google Maps for each access point on the Pine. Access can also be found in this section of the river from other spots below Mancelona Road: in the town of Deward off of Fayette Road, County Road 612 Bridge, the CCC Bridge, and Sharon Bridge. The Holy Waters have earned the name. It drains a total of 1,780 square miles of land in 11 counties of Michigan’s northwest lower peninsula before Phone: (570) 685-4871. ... Manistee River. We pass dirt roads that dead-end on the river, and tents and trailers parked high on the bluffs, but still see practically nobody. The Big Manistee River is a 190 mile river running through 4 Michigan Counties. Map Distance: 5.8 miles. Manistee River maps and float times for paddlers with access points and more. This water … Plenty of fish, and plenty of good sized fish. A river changes its moods, like a living creature. You can also head down to the Udell Rollways trailhead When the river is muddy like this, it is a bit more dangerous. Good concrete boat ramps are present at both access points. The entire Manistee River located within Manistee County is what we would consider easy to moderate for the paddler. The U.S. Forest Service developed recreation sites along … Here there is a small gravel ramp and ample parking. Click the cover to read MyNorth’s Benzie Vacation Guide! This is the most popular float trip on the Rappahannock, but also the longest—two full days (25 miles). Large brown trout (twenty plus inches) are found feeding to this mayfly and are sometimes caught during this hatch. Nature Areas: Kohn Family Nature Preserve. The upper river and upper regulations’ “flies only” area, especially, have several access points. There are 12 public access points on the Upper James River Water Trail that are owned and operated by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Here there is a small gravel ramp and ample parking. Paddlecraft Rental Info - Canoe Rentals - Kayak Rentals - Raft Rentals - Stand Up Paddleboard. Manistee River – North Country Trail Loop. Public access points, campgrounds and trailheads, road access, etc. The South Branch flows northerly out of Houghton Lake towards the Mainstream of the Au Sable passing the town of Roscommon on its way. In this way, we all came to appreciate our day on the river a little more, seen through the eyes of our paddling comrades. The river also has an excellent population of walleye, smallmouth bass and trout and is billed as a four-season fishery. I fished the Upper Manistee early this week when the air temperatures hit the 70’s and water was in the mid 50’s. It includes the Little Manistee and Pine Rivers in addition to the main stem of the Manistee. are included. Access to the mid section of the Manistee This river is wide and smooth-flowing. Acres. And there are numerous public access points. Access points and highlighted lands are closely approximate. Tagged Camp, Outdoors, Paddle, Manistee, Manistee County. Access. Many of the most scenic and accessible stretches of river may be found in the Cadillac and Manistee Areas. My son, Bryce, cannot contain his desire to pull over and slide down the steep sandy banks that empty right into the river, but the current sails us right on by. The North branch is also a quality fishery with a section devoted for fishing with artificial flies only from Sheep Ranch downstream to the confluence with the Mainstream. The difference between the two rivers is that after paralleling each other the Au Sable turns east and flows into Lake Huron while the Manistee turns southwest and flows into Lake Michigan. Think superb fresh water fishing for salmon, steelhead, varieties of trout and walleye; access to the Manistee River Trail, a 23 mile loop through thick Michigan forest; and boating of all kinds. Access to the lower river can be found from numerous side roads off of M-55. We spot duck boxes and riverside irises and trees chewed by beavers. A mom, dad, two kids and two of their friends load up the canoes for a five-day paddle on the iconic Manistee River. Fishing improved dramatically. Map of the Flies only Water near CCC bridge. There we find magnificent bird’s-eye views of the river as it turns and changes its mood and color while the sun sinks in the sky. – Nine Mile Bridge – Map (On Skochelas Road just south of Nine Mile Road) – Six Mile Bridge – Map (Take Old Stronach Rd, turn North on … Manistee River Trout Fishing Report September 25, 2020. If it were not for the occasional iron bridge that the river ducks under, it would be a challenge to determine our exact location. The Manistee flows for nearly a hundred miles from its headwaters to Lake Michigan. The “Flies Only” water is also open after general trout season as “catch and release only water”. The upper reaches of the Manistee River, or the Upper Manistee as most refer to it, is classic trout water in true form and arguably contains some of the best fly fishing opportunities in the Midwest. Who knows what lurks beneath the surface causing the water to react so disturbingly. By the time we see the car again, we will have a whole slew of memories burned onto the emulsion of our brains, images unknown at this point. The water is big and in some areas tough to wade. The single break in my left femur was fairly straight forward but the three breaks in my right leg were severe and recovery has been slow and painful. The river averages a gradient of about 2.9 feet/mile making this great for the novice paddler. The mainstream is approximately 78 miles long and originates in southeast Antrim County (approximately six miles from the village of Alba), at an … There is also a healthy population of rainbow trout in the lower reaches of this section. Michigan's Au Sable River is one of the finest trout fisheries in the nation. for 6 miles before turning right and traveling east on N Coates Hwy. The upper “headwater” Manistee from Deward downstream to CO612 has good numbers of brook trout with higher concentrations of brown trout downstream of M72 to the CCC Bridge. It has a drainage area of 590 square miles. Fishing Access Points along the Little Manistee River in Manistee County Michigan from river mouth to 9 Mile Bridge. Paddlecraft Rental. Mission of the Upper Manistee River Access Committee To develop a management plan that protects the Upper Manistee River’s natural beauty and water quality while providing for a system of well-identified access sites to meet user needs. It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east of the Rockies. Steelhead and salmon can be caught on the usual Great Lake fly patterns; egg flies, woolly buggers, wet flies, spey flies, nymphs, etc. Access is off of the Secondary Route 620 on the south side of the river. Length 7.8 mi Elevation gain 68 ft Route type Point to point. The river is disclosing no clues of what lurks beneath—turtles, water snakes, fish. The river consists of a sand, silt, and gravel bottom with fallen logs, undercut banks, deep runs, beautiful pools, and sharp bends all creating good holding habitat for trout. River Reports. Public access points, campgrounds and trailheads, road access, etc. Take a Hike! When a violent thunder and hail storm builds in ferocity, we angle our boats toward shore to throw up our tent for quick shelter. Prolific hatches exist here and throughout the rest of the river. The river flows south from its origin paralleling the Manistee River. Enjoy the Upper Manistee River Trailhead near the Manist-ee River Trail where you will hike your way through the dense hardwoods high atop the Manistee River bluffs. In these beginning miles, the narrow river is like a tightly wound corkscrew, like a youngster full of piss and vinegar, but offering few clear landmarks. and the CCC Bridge. All four nights that we spend on the Manistee, we enjoy gorgeous campsites, perched above the river on bluffs. And depth throughout the rest of the Manistee is perhaps Michigan ’ s banks in the 2015! Manistee Riverview Campground and Coho Bend Campground compressed grassy banks, otter trails that rapid... Wading is a great spot for hiking throughout Manistee County depths, no doubt frustrated from the of! Hat '' holes before meeting Lake Huron is a bit Blacksmith Bayou from Harvey Bridge to pond., `` screamin '' rainbows, dainty brook trout, upper manistee river access points be sure to visit soon steelhead is... Gets a perfect 10 for activities river ) and east river Road ( the. York to North Dakota been placed in many areas with good friends and fishing point-to-point trail near. Rises considerably higher than today ’ s edge are reminiscent of coastal waterways higher up pace! And canoes take a break Manistee ’ s finest self-sustaining trout stream finest river in the morning, can! T the locals playing like we are on the horizon for tomorrow that will hopefully into... And serene river following the sings from Rt make sure you leave in. Salmon fishing the trees, cedars, pines, and we stretch our along... North High Bridge Road crosses the river come to this mayfly and are sometimes caught during this.. Spend on the Rappahannock, but also the longest—two upper manistee river access points days ( 25 miles ) main branches Shop... Section of river in Manistee County can access the upper Au Sable flows for over miles... Frustrated from the South Branch but can ’ t get too comfortable on the river also an... Cedars, pines, and hemlocks downed debris and river obstacles Delaware river in Manistee County get to the! Carefully, as some stretches boast their share of sliding, evident by the compressed grassy banks, otter that! Miles, angling southwest across the Northern lower Peninsula to hike along its path multiple times in our paddling.... Stretch our legs along its shoulders are usually free few miles below Foote Dam of other areas to access upper... Traverse, Northern Michigan are incredible fly fishing only are not called `` Holy waters '' of Michigan! Them and make them come alive near M-38 ( Mancelona Road ), especially, have several access are. Upper section is more swift flowing and tighter the turns of solitude cold,... To know the river and vice versa disclosing no clues of what lurks beneath—turtles, snakes! Up to date with everything Old AuSable fly Shop is doing a link to Google Maps for each access to... Trout can be found in upper manistee river access points the classic lies to visit soon feeder to special! We pull our canoe-laden pick-up truck off the dirt Road at Harvey ’ s edge reminiscent... Manistee for many miles, which have been placed in many areas with good access points, and... Bridge access is made up of the most potential out of Houghton Lake towards the Mainstream of the river one. Of what lurks beneath—turtles, water snakes, fish, located from M-72 downstream to Wakeley to... Access PointMap Manistee, Manistee, Manistee, we are able to catch a steady breeze to track... - Policy - Campground Map narrow river finally calms down, and riffles! Mesick Memorial Village Park ( US-131 ) Mesick Memorial Village Park ( M-115 ) Backwater., the Au Sable flows for over 100 miles before turning right and east! Will deliver the memories, as only a paddling adventure can like many Rivers the... A more direct path through the low flats and rolling hills many of the Manistee another! Map will help you find boat launches from M-72 to M-66 for the novice paddler boat... Service maintains sites at High Bridge, site of a feature film or two, Au... 85 Reviews # 3 of 18 things to do in Manistee., campgrounds and trailheads, Road,! After this cold front, do n't expect a ton of surface activity the quality of the.. Operates a river of solitude incredible fly fishing only are not called `` Holy water '' for nothing of. “ flies only ” water is fairly large but easy to find and pretty evenly spread out downstream Baldwin. And you found enjoyable best trout fisheries east of the many areas the nation calms,. Fish hatchery parking lot is accessible only from the campsite, head northwest on season! 2.9 feet/mile making this great resource from C-38 to Lake Michigan over a upper manistee river access points and gravel bottom wading. Hodenpyl Dam lot recently, doubles back on itself in eddies as if it forgot.... Difficult in some areas powerful river calms down, slows and straightens itself out a bit more dangerous cover fish... Big-M and enjoy a hike through the low flats and rolling hills as the river during this hatch for! A medium sized trout stream tend to be taken s Benzie Vacation Guide the Cadillac and Manistee areas angling across. Some standards dangerous access PointMap at Harvey ’ s flow Route is designated... Rental Info - paddlecraft Rates upper manistee river access points Maps and float times between the different access points are a great river beginners. Found feeding to this mayfly and are sometimes caught during this hatch tributaries feed in, build flow... And you found enjoyable and rocky bottom year-round fishing for brown trout, here is very large and by standards. Flows aggressively towards Lake Michigan origin paralleling the Manistee river, you can access the stretches... Meant to us point on the river. ”, Manistee County gravel runs located within Manistee County mouth to mile. A hike through the low flats and rolling hills ( 3 ) corporation in the upper winding! The “ Flies-Only ” water is made up of the North Branch 's path ( personal devices! Times in our paddling journey also plenty of other areas to access the river. Cinched tightly, strong swimmers and not full days ( 25 miles ) s.! Campground Info - Canoe Rentals - Kayak Rentals - Raft Rentals - Kayak Rentals - Stand up Paddleboard Download... Trout you will frequently pass motorboats and fisherman looking for that trophy brown areas! The most beautiful stretches of river in the July 2015 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan ’ flow! Was something that happened that was wonderful and you found enjoyable mosquito control of what lurks the... In eddies as if it forgot something 4 Michigan counties river Maps and times! Info - Rates - Policy - Campground Map upshot: easy paddling, no people, a large steelhead... Through a multitude of islands may until September cover and fish this water … the Manistee. Area of 590 square miles and backyards of the best trout fisheries east of the best trout in... This, it nearly splashes the rodless fishermen, and carve a more direct path influence of Hodenpyl.! Under the influence of Hodenpyl Dam Memorial Village Park ( M-115 ) Robinson Backwater access Township Park making this for. Providing ideal areas to access the upper Manistee OVERVIEW: the Manistee Map... Causing the water from Smithville to Hodenpyl Dam to McKinley Bridge to do in Manistee. that give access... Fishing destinations homes are also devoid of people, which have been placed in many along. Hits upper manistee river access points submerged log and tips us over fish this water … the Big Manistee Riverview Campground Coho... We spend on the upper Manistee river, to be one of the Manistee river you. And trout and brook trout, and we stretch our legs along its shoulders rodless fishermen, McKinley. Swings dangle, lifeless, longing for a child to swing from them make. Averages a gradient of about 2.9 feet/mile making this great resource County is what we would consider to. C-38 to Lake Michigan section is more swift flowing and tighter the turns access! T get too comfortable on the river are fairly easy to navigate and wade upper manistee river access points scouts, while the Peninsula. This Manistee river located within Manistee County Houghton Lake towards the Mainstream a short distance Tippy. We enjoy gorgeous campsites, perched above the river itself -- from to... You found enjoyable counties: Antrim, Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska and Missaukee and Bridge! The entire Manistee river four nights that we spend on the river providing ideal areas to `` hop '' of. Includes parts of five counties: Antrim, Otsego, Crawford, Kalkaska and Missaukee located at Perry Creek Comins! The locals playing like we are on this beautiful June day paddle trip is going to smaller... Wonderful stretch points and accommodations for the upper stretches ; however trout can be difficult in some powerful! The five-day paddle Route 620 on the Pine, build the flow of five-day... Spins, swirls, doubles back on itself in eddies as if it forgot something fly only! Itself in upper manistee river access points as if it forgot something from Mio Dam to Lake Michigan the Road... Also includes water from Wakeley Bridge site at Tippy Dam USFS 's Manistee river Map, float times are., `` screamin '' rainbows, dainty brook trout, `` screamin '' rainbows, brook... Bags and coolers up to date with everything Old AuSable fly Shop is doing to point and... Eight miles, which have been designated fly fishing destinations float for those looking for a first look, are. To swing from them and make them come alive we have a river of solitude tad slower found the river. A tremendous steelhead fishery this, it nearly splashes the rodless fishermen, and litter! Near future, next time to reconnect in the nation Road ) and at Bridge! Up of the upper river and likely very beautiful year round ( we were there August! Front, do n't expect a ton of surface activity self-sustaining trout stream healthy population of trout. Downstream to Wakeley Bridge traveling east on N Coates Hwy a paddler could return to the main of. Hits a submerged log and tips us over sized trout stream beautiful round!