Manistee River: Anglers continue to catch some good size steelhead right along with a few coho. Spawn, beads and flies were the ticket.

Little Manistee River: Anglers are reminded that the Little Manistee will close to fishing on January 1 and will not re-open until April 1.

Manistee River: The bite was slow as water temperatures dropped to the mid 30s. Steelhead anglers floating spawn and beads have managed to take a few nice fish. The odd coho also was caught.

Manistee River: Those braving the cold caught steelhead, but the bite was slow.

Pier anglers were still getting the occasional steelhead when still-fishing with a spawn bag.

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing was difficult as the waters are low and clear. Fish are in the river but will spook easily with the lower water levels. Conditions should improve with rain by the weekend. Until then, try fishing the deeper holes.

Manistee River: Should still have a decent number of steelhead however with snow and cold temperatures, many are hunting instead of fishing.

When they can get out, pier anglers caught steelhead and whitefish.

Manistee River: Boat anglers drifting along the lower river caught a few fish in the deeper holes. Those fishing up near Tippy Dam have caught steelhead on spawn, flies and beads.

Steelhead and whitefish are still being caught off the pier with spawn bags on the bottom.

Manistee River: Boat anglers on the lower river have caught a few fish. There is still a small number of salmon present however they are actively spawning and will be gone soon. Steelhead fishing was tough as the water is low and clear.

Surface water temperatures were holding in the low 50’s. Few anglers were out. Steelhead were caught off the pier. Spawn worked best.

Manistee River: Boat anglers in the lower river are catching steelhead but there has been no word on fish up near Tippy Dam. The Little Manistee River is low and clear which makes steelhead fishing more difficult.

Surface temperature readings were about 52 degrees. The restrooms and the fish cleaning station are now closed and the docks are starting to get pulled. Pier fishing was starting to heat up with steelhead taken on spawn. Some whitefish were taken by those using spawn off the north pier.

Manistee River: The Chinook salmon are on the downswing. There are still plenty around, but they are dark and actively spawning. Anglers caught small steelhead and a couple Atlantics while drifting or floating beads, spawn, and skein right behind the spawning Chinook. The steelhead seem to be actively feeding on anything egg-like. The Atlantics appear to be waiting for their turn on the gravel, occasionally grabbing whatever the current brings by including eggs, streamers and spinners.

Steelhead are starting to show up. Pier and shore anglers caught fish on spawn. Small numbers of coho are still being caught as well.

Manistee River: Had a good number of salmon all the way up to Tippy Dam and lots of anglers targeting them. Expect the fish to start dying off here in the next week or so. As that happens, coho and steelhead will be moving into the river. Those looking to avoid the crowds might want to fish the upper stretches near Hodenpyle.

Surface temperature readings were about 56 degrees. The fish cleaning station is now closed. Fishing slowed but some anglers did manage to catch a few coho when trolling artificial lures in the harbor. A small number of Chinook and coho were caught off the pier.

Manistee River: Had a decent run of coho at Tippy Dam. Anglers have also found a few brown trout, some walleye and the occasional pike.

Surface temperature readings dropped to about 62 degrees. Angler activity was slow but some had success when trolling in the harbor and around the piers for Chinook. A few coho have also been caught. Spoons and J-plugs worked best. Pier fishing was slow but those fishing early or late managed to catch a few salmon when casting artificial baits.

Manistee River: Brown trout, walleye and pike have started to bite again.

Surface water temperatures climbed back up to near 70 degrees. Dredging continues in the area, so boat anglers need to be mindful and not make a wake. The Chinook slowed however lots of coho were coming in. Fish were caught 40 to 70 feet down in 150 to 220 feet with spoons and meat rigs. A small number of lake trout and steelhead were also caught at the same depths. Pier fishing was slow.

Surface temperature readings were about 70 degrees. Chinook fishing slowed but coho were hitting on spoons in 180 to 250 feet. Trolling has been tough because of the deep thermoclines. Many of the Chinook salmon have moved into Manistee Lake and up in the rivers. Pier fishing for salmon was good at times.

Manistee River: Had lots of anglers fishing for salmon. Anglers are reminded that snagging is illegal and using a treble hook is illegal unless it is attached to a true lure.

Dredging continues, so boat anglers are asked to watch for the buoy and not make a wake. Good number of Chinook salmon moved into the harbor and just outside the pier heads. Anglers had success trolling spoons and J-plugs. Pier anglers caught a few when casting spoons and thunder-sticks. One angler managed to catch a 32-pound Chinook off the north pier.

Manistee River: There was some movement or fish last week and anglers were catching them. Now the river is high and muddy so it is difficult to say what conditions are like, but the rain should have pushed more fish up into the river.

Surface water temps were at 74 degrees and the south pier is now open. Dredging in the area continues so anglers should be cautious while leaving pier heads. Chinook fishing slowed but some fish were picked up in 60 to 100 feet, 40 to 50 feet down. J-plugs, spoons and meat rigs were most successful. Coho finally started to arrive and were caught in the same depths as Chinook. Lake trout were caught in 120 to 180 feet of water, 50 to 100 feet down. Pier fishing was slow.

Surface temperature readings were about 73 degrees. Dredging has started in the channel. Weather dependent, they are hoping to complete the job in a few weeks. Boat anglers are asked to please be extra cautious and not produce a wake when leaving the channel. The south pier remains closed. Fishing slowed some however big fish including many Chinook up near 30 pounds were still being caught. Most were caught 50 to 100 feet down in 120 to 300 feet with j-plugs, flies and meat rigs. Steelhead, lake trout and the odd coho were also caught.

Manistee River: Salmon appear to be moving in closer to shore and some anglers have observed salmon beginning to move up into the river.

Surface water temperatures were about 72 degrees. Chinook salmon fishing continues to get better as angler activity and catch rates were both high. Big fish including a 32-pounder continue to be caught 50 to 100 feet down in 140 to 300 feet. Spoons, J-plugs and meat rigs worked best. A small number of steelhead and lake trout were also caught. Pier fishing was slow.

Manistee River: Is producing a fair to good number of smallmouth bass and pike. Below Tippy Dam, those fishing above or below the coffer dam caught the occasional summer steelhead but water temperatures are too warm.

Surface temperatures were 65 degrees. Chinook fishing has really started to heat up with some nice fish including a 31 and a 29-pounder taken recently. Most were caught 50 to 100 feet down in 130 to 250 feet. Steelhead and lake trout were also found, but most of the fish taken were Chinook. Spoons and meat rigs worked best. Those trolling spoons and J-plugs in the channel and around the piers also found some Chinook.

Surface water temperatures were still up near 70 degrees. Fishing had picked up a little as anglers were coming in with a mixed bag of Chinook, lake trout and steelhead. The fish were hitting on spoons and a flasher fly combo 60 to 100 feet down in 130 to 200 feet. Pier fishing was spotty but a couple steelhead where taken on shrimp or spawn in the early morning.

Manistee River: Brook trout were caught on flies and spinners on the North Branch.

Surface temperature readings were about 70 degrees. The south pier remains closed. Small numbers of steelhead were caught by pier anglers using spawn. Lake trout were caught in the bottom 80 to 100 in 120 to 200 feet. Spoons and flies worked best. Chinook salmon fishing was slow however the ones caught have been quite large. Fishing for adult Chinook will only improve as we move through July. Catch rates for steelhead were spotty.

Surface water temperatures were about 65 degrees. Pier fishing was slow but a few anglers caught steelhead off the north pier with alewife and spawn. Boat anglers reported slower fishing. Lake trout and a few Chinook were caught on spoons.

Manistee River: Had good brown trout fishing especially at night with the ongoing hex hatch. The fly hatch along the upper river should be over soon.

Surface temperature readings were about 55 degrees. A recent fishing tournament netted a 25 pound Chinook salmon. A handful of Chinook, lake trout and steelhead were caught on spoons in 120 to 200 feet. Morning was best. There is still some baitfish in the harbor but not as much. A few anglers caught brown trout when trolling in the basin. Pier fishing was slow and the south pier remains closed.

Trolling in the harbor slowed but anglers were still picking up a few brown trout and the occasional Chinook. Most were still coming in with a mix of Chinook, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout when using spoons 75 to 100 feet down in 150 to 200 feet. Steelhead are starting be caught off the north pier when using spawn.

Manistee River: The hex hatch has started and the river should be in great shape for trout fishing.

Surface temperature readings were about 56 degrees. Anglers are reminded the south pier remains closed. Off shore, fishing slowed way down as the fish were scattered. A small number of Chinook and lake trout were caught on spoons in 120 to 300 feet. Baitfish are still in the harbor and anglers fishing off the north pier caught Chinook and steelhead. Those trolling in the channel caught a few fish.

Surface temperatures dropped to 50 degrees. Boat anglers were still getting a fair to good number of Chinook on spoons in 130 to 250 feet. A small number of steelhead and lake trout were also caught. Pier fishing was very slow because of the large number of baitfish in the harbor. The south pier remains closed.

Surface temperature readings were about 52 degrees. Pier fishing is slow. The Chinook salmon are finally here and some good size fish have been caught to the south in 120 to 200 feet with spoons. Coho, lake trout, brown trout and steelhead were also caught.

Surface water temperatures dropped to 41 degrees. The south pier remains closed. Those trolling caught a mix of Chinook, lake trout, steelhead and brown trout in less than 40 feet. Boats were fishing north, south and near the pier heads.

Surface temperature readings were about 47 degrees. The south pier remains closed. Those trolling caught lake trout in 40 to 60 feet. A couple brown trout were caught by those trolling around the pier heads. Perch fishing slowed and the majority of fish caught were throwbacks. Walleye fishing slowed so many were just fishing for them at night. They were casting artificial baits or jigging with artificial grubs.

Manistee River: Steelhead fishing is about done as most fish have spawned and are headed back to the big lake. Tippy Dam Pond was giving up some good catches of walleye and smallmouth bass.

Manistee: Surface temperature readings were about 45 degrees. The fish cleaning station is open. The south pier is still closed until further notice. Walleye fishing slowed but some were caught off the piers and in the channel when jigging wax worms at night. Perch were caught off the north pier with minnows and wigglers. Those trolling caught lake trout, brown trout and coho in 30 to 50 feet with spoons, rapalas and spin-glo's.

Surface temperature readings are slowly climbing and were about 41 degrees. Lake trout and brown trout were still being caught in 9 to 15 feet along the shoreline. Perch and a few whitefish were starting to show up off the north pier. Walleye are being caught in the channel. The south pier, the fish cleaning station and the restrooms were still closed.

Big Manistee River: Was still producing steelhead. Fish were hitting on spawn, spinners, crank baits, flies and beads.

Surface temperature readings were about 39 degrees. All docks are now in at the city launch, but the fish cleaning station was still closed. The south pier is still closed until further notice. Small numbers of brown trout and steelhead were caught off the north pier. Boat anglers picked up brown trout, lake trout, and the occasional steelhead when trolling rapalas in the basin and outside the piers in 9 to 14 feet.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing continues and the fish will run and spawn quickly now that it has warmed up. Fish should also be found in the Little Manistee. For the walleye opener, try Tippy Dam Pond and Hodenpyl Dam Pond.

Surface temperature readings were holding around 36 degrees. Not many anglers had been out. Pier anglers caught a couple brown trout on spawn bags. The south pier is closed because of a large hole.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead were caught up as far as Tippy Dam by those using beads and spawn bags. The rain should help bring more fish in.

Coho salmon and brown trout fishing is picking up for those trolling along the beach. There is one dock in at the First Street launch. Pier anglers caught a couple steelhead and brown trout.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing is decent in the lower river.

When they could get out, boat anglers trolling for trout and salmon caught brown trout. A few coho were also mixed in. Those vertical jigging in the channel caught a few walleye.

Big Manistee River: Some chrome colored steelhead were taken in the lower section of the river.

Manistee Lake: The ice was pretty much done.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing picked up with the rain and warmer temperatures. Try spawn, beads and wax worms. Water levels were near normal.

In Manistee County had a lot of anglers fishing out from Penny Park. Rumor has it they caught some nice pike on tip-ups or when spearing. Perch and crappie were also caught.

Big Manistee River: Steelhead fishing should pick up with the warmer weather especially up around Tippy Dam. The river was frozen in the lower end.

Steelhead were caught during the warm spell but as we head back into a deep freeze, fishing might not be all that great by the weekend. Most were using spawn, jig and wax worm, beads and flies.