Manistee County · stream · order 6 river · ~1,484 cfs typical
Manistee River
Stocked 61× since 2024 · Michigan DNR
Manistee River is a stream in Manistee County, Michigan, stocked with Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, Lake Sturgeon and Rainbow Trout — most recently on May 13, 2026. FishableWaters aggregates every stocking record for this water from Michigan DNR; the latest schedule and today's bite windows are above.
Best days this week
Days near a new or full moon tend to fish best.
Today's bite windows
Conditions, next 3 days
Today
Overcast
81°
57°
13 mph
1%
Fri
Rain
80°
68°
10 mph
31%
Sat
Rain
69°
62°
10 mph
62%
↘ pressure fallingFalling pressure ahead of a front often turns the bite on.
Stocking ledger
| — 2026 — | ||||
| May 13 | Rainbow Trout | 7,723 | 20.1" | |
| May 12 | Rainbow Trout | 2,630 | 20.25" | |
| May 12 | Brown Trout | 7,073 | 19.71" | |
| May 12 | Brown Trout | 10,126 | 19.71" | |
| May 12 | Brown Trout | 10,128 | 19.71" | |
| May 6 | Rainbow Trout | 13,331 | 17.9" | |
| May 4 | Rainbow Trout | 1,333 | 18.6" | |
| May 4 | Rainbow Trout | 13,327 | 18.6" | |
| May 4 | Rainbow Trout | 13,333 | 18.6" | |
| May 1 | Rainbow Trout | 19,064 | 18.8" | |
| Apr 29 | Rainbow Trout | 34,838 | 18.8" | |
| Apr 28 | Rainbow Trout | 26,490 | 19.02" | |
| Apr 27 | Brown Trout | 6,600 | 18.78" | |
| Apr 27 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | 19.49" | |
| Apr 9 | Rainbow Trout | 5,195 | 19.61" | |
| Apr 9 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | 19.61" | |
| Apr 9 | Brown Trout | 4,000 | 18.69" | |
| Apr 9 | Brown Trout | 7,300 | 18.75" | |
| Apr 9 | Brown Trout | 11,295 | 18.69" | |
| Apr 7 | Coho Salmon | 62,600 | 13.8" | |
| Apr 7 | Brown Trout | 14,100 | 15.49" | |
| Apr 7 | Brown Trout | 6,000 | 19.27" | |
| Apr 6 | Brown Trout | 14,100 | 15.65" | |
| Mar 26 | Brown Trout | 9,997 | 17.86" | |
| Mar 26 | Brown Trout | 23,200 | 17.86" | |
| Mar 25 | Brown Trout | 23,197 | 17.82" | |
| — 2025 — | ||||
| Oct 20 | Rainbow Trout | 59,817 | 7.24" | |
| Sep 27 | Brown Trout | 5,678 | 10.87" | |
| Sep 27 | Brown Trout | 11,335 | 10.87" | |
| Sep 6 | Lake Sturgeon | 664 | 20.1" | |
| May 15 | Rainbow Trout | 8,845 | 21.45" | |
| May 15 | Rainbow Trout | 8,857 | 21.45" | |
| May 15 | Rainbow Trout | 8,860 | 21.45" | |
| May 14 | Brown Trout | 6,527 | 19.65" | |
| May 6 | Brown Trout | 6,798 | 19.1" | |
| May 6 | Brown Trout | 9,000 | 19.1" | |
| May 1 | Rainbow Trout | 27,696 | 18.1" | |
| Apr 25 | Coho Salmon | 22,720 | 13.5" | |
| Apr 25 | Brown Trout | 9,997 | 18.93" | |
| Apr 24 | Brown Trout | 6,900 | 19.32" | |
| Apr 24 | Rainbow Trout | 29,826 | 18.3" | |
| Apr 24 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 19.3" | |
| Apr 23 | Rainbow Trout | 24,185 | 18.3" | |
| Apr 21 | Coho Salmon | 22,720 | 14.2" | |
| Apr 17 | Brown Trout | 6,961 | 19.36" | |
| Apr 17 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | 20.26" | |
| Apr 16 | Rainbow Trout | 5,200 | 20.01" | |
| Apr 16 | Brown Trout | 9,000 | 19.72" | |
| Apr 16 | Brown Trout | 2,900 | 19.72" | |
| Apr 15 | Rainbow Trout | 31,722 | 18.3" | |
| Apr 14 | Brown Trout | 6,900 | 18.88" | |
| Apr 10 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 19.39" | |
| Apr 10 | Brown Trout | 3,600 | 19.39" | |
| Mar 19 | Brown Trout | 7,559 | 18.3" | |
| Mar 19 | Brown Trout | 11,900 | 18.3" | |
| Mar 19 | Brown Trout | 23,717 | 18.6" | |
| Mar 18 | Brown Trout | 10,000 | 18.7" | |
| Mar 18 | Brown Trout | 21,999 | 18.7" | |
| — 2024 — | ||||
| Oct 25 | Rainbow Trout | 150,495 | 7.8" | |
| Sep 28 | Brown Trout | 9,504 | 13.81" | |
| Sep 7 | Lake Sturgeon | 807 | 17.1" | |
When does Manistee River get stocked?
Going by 61 records since 2024, stocking here peaks in April.
Angler reports
What's biting
No reports yet — be the first
Best bite times
No reports yet
Field notes
No notes yet
All Michigan waters with brown trout → · All Michigan waters with coho salmon →
Nearby waters
- Lake Winnogene1.8 mi
- Gambs Lake2.3 mi
- Manistee Lake2.2 mi
- Canfield Lake3.0 mi
- Bar Lake4.1 mi
- Totches Bayou3.5 mi
- Little Manistee River4.2 mistocked May 6, 2026
- Tainer Lake5.8 mi
Seasons, limits, and rules are the state's call — check the official MI regulations and buy your license before you go. We link the source; we never restate the rules.
Manistee River fishing — FAQ
What fish are stocked in Manistee River?+
Manistee River is stocked with Brown Trout, Coho Salmon, Lake Sturgeon and Rainbow Trout in Manistee County, Michigan, most recently on May 13, 2026 by Michigan DNR. The full stocking ledger is on this page.
When does Manistee River get stocked?+
Going by 61 records since 2024, stocking at Manistee River peaks in April. Check this page for the season's scheduled and most recent stockings.
Do I need a license to fish Manistee River?+
Yes — Michigan requires a fishing license. Buy one from the state and check current seasons and limits before you go; both are linked on this page.
Where is Manistee River?+
Manistee River is a stream in Manistee County, Michigan. Driving directions and an interactive topo map are on this page.
Data: Michigan DNR · updated May 13, 2026 · checked daily · we publish what agencies publish, nothing else.