Waterbody · Michigan
Manistee River Fishing Regulations 2026
Manistee River fishing regulations in 2026: top targets are salmon, steelhead, brown trout. 147 current rules across 9 species from DNR.
Species pages for Manistee River
Dedicated rule pages for the most-targeted species at this water.
Rules (147)
DNR regulates 147 rules across 9 species at this water.
Rainbow Trout
Manistee River (Crawford And Kalkaska Cos.) From M-72 To Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Little Manistee River
- Possession
- 1 fish
NOTE: The daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout from 300’ downstream of Little Manistee River Weir down to the boundary with Manistee Lake, which is defined as the power line crossing downstream of Stronach Road Bridge (also referred to as Water Street on some maps).
Manistee River
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round — the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Manistee River From Tippy Dam Downstream To Railroad Bridge Below M-55 (T21n, R16w, S6)
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Manistee River (Crawford Co.) From Co. Rd. 612 To M-72Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Little Manistee River From Johnson Rd. (Johnson’s Bridge) Downstream To The Boundary With Manistee Lake, Which Is Defined As The Power Line Crossing Downstream Of Stronach Road Bridge (Also Referred To As Water Street On Some Maps)
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round — from Johnson Rd. downstream to 300 feet above the Little Manistee River Weir
Au Sable River Mainstream (Crawford Co.) From South Wakeley Bridge Rd. (Wakeley Bridge) To McMasters Bridge Rd. (McMasters Bridge)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Au Sable River Mainstream (Oscoda Co.) From Mio Power Line (T26n, R3e, S7; 44° 39’ 40.550" N/ 84° 7’ 24.280" W) To Evans Rd. (McKinley Bridge)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Au Sable River North Branch (Crawford Co.) From Sheep Ranch (T28n, R2w, S12; 44° 49’ 40.470" N/ 84° 29’ 25.933" W) To Confluence With MainstreamOpen
- Status
- Open
open all year
Au Sable River South Branch (Crawford Co.) From Lower High Banks (T25n, R2w, S13; 44° 33’ 49.735" N/ 84° 29’ 59.107" W) To Confluence With MainstreamOpen
- Status
- Open
open all year
Bear Creek
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round — the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Betsie River
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round — the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Betsie River From Kurick Rd. Downstream To M-22.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
Year-round —the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Big South Branch Pere Marquette River From Confluence Of Beaver/ Winnepesaug Creeks Downstream To Confluence With Pere Marquette River
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Big South Branch Pere Marquette River From Confluence Of Beaver/Winnepesaug Creeks Downstream To Confluence With Pere Marquette River
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Black River (Otsego And Montmorency Cos.) From Tin Shanty Bridge Rd. To The Town Corner Lake Stairs (T32n, R1e, S31 Se/Se; 45° 6’ 50.872" N/ 84° 21’ 0.488" W)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Carp River
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round — the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Carp River From Morgan Creek Downstream To L. Superior
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Duck Creek (Gogebic Co.) From Railroad Bridge (T44n, R39w, S16) To Confluence With Middle Branch Ontonagon RiverOpen
- Status
- Open
open all year
Escanaba River (Delta Co.) From Boney Falls Dam To Mouth Of Silver CreekOpen
- Status
- Open
- Min size
- 12"
open all year
Muskegon River From Croton Dam Downstream To M-120
- Possession
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
Year-round, no more than three (3) trout 15" or greater and shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout 20 inches or greater Year-round, shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout 20 inches or greater
North Branch White River From Arthur Rd. Downstream To Confluence With White River
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Pere Marquette River
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round — the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Pere Marquette River (Lake Co.) From M-37 To The Downstream Edge Of The Boat Ramp/Slide At Gleason’s Landing (T17n, R14w, S13; 43° 52’ 14.521" N/ 85° 55’ 21.752" W)
- Possession
- 1 fish
From Sep. 1 – the Fri. before the last Sat. in April
Pere Marquette River From Reek Rd. (Indian Bridge) Downstream To Old Us-31
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Pere Marquette River From The Upstream Edge Of The Boat Ramp At Rainbow Rapids (T18n, R14w, S27) Downstream To Reek Rd. (Indian Bridge)
- Possession
- 1 fish/day
Year-round
Pigeon River: (Cheboygan And Otsego Cos.) From Elk Hill Campground Horse Trail (T32n, R1w, S10; 45° 10’ 50.753" N/ 84° 25’ 27.866" W) To Pine Grove Campground Stairs (T33n, R1w, S17; 45° 14’ 38.497" N/ 84° 26’ 47.983" W)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Platte River From Us-31 Bridge At Veteran’s Park Downstream To L. Michigan.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
The daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Rogue River
- Daily bag
- 5 fish
- Possession
- 1 fish
- Slot max
- 15"
Year-round — From Rockford Dam downstream to confluence with Grand River — the daily possession limit for Type 4 still applies with up to five (5) Rainbow Trout allowed in the daily possession limit, no more than three (3) trout 15" or greater and shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout 20 inches or greater.
Whitefish River
- Possession
- 1 fish
Year-round - the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Whitefish River From 38th Road (U.s.f.s. 2236) Downstream To Us-2 Bridge In T41n, R21w, S28.
- Daily bag
- 1 fish
Year-round - the daily possession limit shall not include more than one (1) Rainbow Trout.
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 10"
general statewide inland streams rule; combined trout limits may apply on specific waters
Brook Trout
Little Manistee River (Lake Co.) From North Peacock Trail (Spencer’s Bridge) To Johnson Rd. (Johnson’s Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Manistee River (Crawford Co.) From Co. Rd. 612 To M-72
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Manistee River (Crawford And Kalkaska Cos.) From M-72 To Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Au Sable River Mainstream (Crawford Co.) From South Wakeley Bridge Rd. (Wakeley Bridge) To McMasters Bridge Rd. (McMasters Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Au Sable River Mainstream (Oscoda Co.) From Mio Power Line (T26n, R3e, S7; 44° 39’ 40.550" N/ 84° 7’ 24.280" W) To Evans Rd. (McKinley Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Au Sable River North Branch (Crawford Co.) From Sheep Ranch (T28n, R2w, S12; 44° 49’ 40.470" N/ 84° 29’ 25.933" W) To Confluence With Mainstream
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Au Sable River South Branch (Crawford Co.) From Lower High Banks (T25n, R2w, S13; 44° 33’ 49.735" N/ 84° 29’ 59.107" W) To Confluence With Mainstream
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Black River (Otsego And Montmorency Cos.) From Tin Shanty Bridge Rd. To The Town Corner Lake Stairs (T32n, R1e, S31 Se/Se; 45° 6’ 50.872" N/ 84° 21’ 0.488" W)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Cooks Run To The Mouth Of The North Branch Of The Paint River
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Duck Creek (Gogebic Co.) From Railroad Bridge (T44n, R39w, S16) To Confluence With Middle Branch Ontonagon River
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Escanaba River (Delta Co.) From Boney Falls Dam To Mouth Of Silver Creek
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Isle Royale National Park WatersCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
Within 4.5 miles of Isle Royale; no possession.
L. SuperiorClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Daily bag
- 1 fish/day
- Min size
- 20"
within 4.5 miles of Isle Royale, no possession of Brook Trout
Pere Marquette RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
- Min size
- 8"
harvest of fish greater than 14" and less than 18" shall be prohibited
Pere Marquette River (Lake Co.) From M-37 To The Downstream Edge Of The Boat Ramp/Slide At Gleason’s Landing (T17n, R14w, S13; 43° 52’ 14.521" N/ 85° 55’ 21.752" W)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Min size
- 8"
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
From Sep. 1 – the Fri. before the last Sat. in April From the last Sat. in April – Aug. 31 harvest of fish greater than 14" and less than 18" shall be prohibited. From the last Sat. in April – Aug. 31
Pigeon River: (Cheboygan And Otsego Cos.) From Elk Hill Campground Horse Trail (T32n, R1w, S10; 45° 10’ 50.753" N/ 84° 25’ 27.866" W) To Pine Grove Campground Stairs (T33n, R1w, S17; 45° 14’ 38.497" N/ 84° 26’ 47.983" W)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 10"
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 7"
inland streams and rivers statewide general rule; combined trout limits may apply on specific waters
Brown Trout
Little Manistee River (Lake Co.) From North Peacock Trail (Spencer’s Bridge) To Johnson Rd. (Johnson’s Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 15"
Manistee River (Crawford Co.) From Co. Rd. 612 To M-72
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Manistee River (Crawford And Kalkaska Cos.) From M-72 To Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Au Sable River Mainstream (Crawford Co.) From South Wakeley Bridge Rd. (Wakeley Bridge) To McMasters Bridge Rd. (McMasters Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Au Sable River Mainstream (Oscoda Co.) From Mio Power Line (T26n, R3e, S7; 44° 39’ 40.550" N/ 84° 7’ 24.280" W) To Evans Rd. (McKinley Bridge)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Au Sable River North Branch (Crawford Co.) From Sheep Ranch (T28n, R2w, S12; 44° 49’ 40.470" N/ 84° 29’ 25.933" W) To Confluence With Mainstream
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Au Sable River South Branch (Crawford Co.) From Lower High Banks (T25n, R2w, S13; 44° 33’ 49.735" N/ 84° 29’ 59.107" W) To Confluence With Mainstream
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 18"
Black River (Otsego And Montmorency Cos.) From Tin Shanty Bridge Rd. To The Town Corner Lake Stairs (T32n, R1e, S31 Se/Se; 45° 6’ 50.872" N/ 84° 21’ 0.488" W)Open
- Status
- Open
open all year
Duck Creek (Gogebic Co.) From Railroad Bridge (T44n, R39w, S16) To Confluence With Middle Branch Ontonagon River
- Season closes
- Sep 30
Escanaba River (Delta Co.) From Boney Falls Dam To Mouth Of Silver Creek
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 12"
Pere Marquette RiverClosed
- Status
- Prohibited
harvest of fish greater than 14" and less than 18" shall be prohibited
Pere Marquette River (Lake Co.) From M-37 To The Downstream Edge Of The Boat Ramp/Slide At Gleason’s Landing (T17n, R14w, S13; 43° 52’ 14.521" N/ 85° 55’ 21.752" W)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Slot min
- 14"
- Slot max
- 18"
From Sep. 1 – the Fri. before the last Sat. in April harvest of fish greater than 14" and less than 18" shall be prohibited. From the last Sat. in April – Aug. 31
Pigeon River: (Cheboygan And Otsego Cos.) From Elk Hill Campground Horse Trail (T32n, R1w, S10; 45° 10’ 50.753" N/ 84° 25’ 27.866" W) To Pine Grove Campground Stairs (T33n, R1w, S17; 45° 14’ 38.497" N/ 84° 26’ 47.983" W)
- Season closes
- Sep 30
- Min size
- 12"
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
- Min size
- 8"
general statewide inland streams rule; combined trout limits may apply on specific waters
All Species
Manistee River From Co. Rd. 612 To M-72.Open
- Status
- Permitted
GR p.45 regulations apply
Little Manistee RiverClosed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Closed to Fishing - Jan. 1 - March 31 from a point 300 feet upstream of the DNR weir to Spencer’s Bridge. Special Artificial Lure Regulations: apply Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, see p. 8.
Manistee River From Tippy Dam Downstream To Railroad Bridge Below M-55 (T21n, R16w, S6)
- Gear
- Artificial Only
apply Aug. 1 - Nov. 15
Manistee River
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Special Artificial Lure Regulations: apply Aug. 1 - Nov. 15, see p. 8.
Manistee River From Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge T26n, Rw, S26) Downstream To M-115Open
- Status
- Permitted
Little Manistee River (Lake Co.) From North Peacock Trail (Spencer’s Bridge) To Johnson Rd. (Johnson’s Bridge)In season
- Season opens
- Apr 1
- Season closes
- Dec 31
- Possession
- 2 fish
- Min size
- 10"
- Gear
- Fly Only
for all other trout and salmon any combination of trout and salmon all other trout and salmon
Manistee River (Crawford Co.) From Co. Rd. 612 To M-72Open
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 2 trout
- Gear
- Artificial Only
open all year with no more than 1 trout 18" or greater
Manistee River (Crawford And Kalkaska Cos.) From M-72 To Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge)Open
- Status
- Open
- Possession
- 2 trout
- Gear
- Fly Only
open all year with no more than 1 trout 18" or greater
Manistee River From Headwaters Downstream To Co. Rd. 612.Open
- Status
- Permitted
Type 2 regulations apply
Manistee River From M-72 Downstream To Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge T26n, R6w, S26).Open
- Status
- Permitted
GR p.45 regulations apply
Little Manistee River From Johnson Rd. (Johnson’s Bridge) Downstream To The Boundary With Manistee Lake, Which Is Defined As The Power Line Crossing Downstream Of Stronach Road Bridge (Also Referred To As Water Street On Some Maps)Closed
- Status
- Closed
- Gear
- Artificial Only
Jan. 1 - March 31 from a point 300 feet upstream of the DNR weir to Spencer’s Bridge apply Aug. 1 - Nov. 15
Manistee River From Headwaters Downstream To Co. Rd. 612Open
- Status
- Permitted
Manistee River From Sunset Trail Rd. (Ccc Bridge T26n, R6w,S26) Downstream To M-115Open
- Status
- Permitted
Trout
Spring Mill PondCatch & release
- Status
- Catch And Release
- Gear
- Artificial Only
April 1 - Fri. before the last Sat. in April, catch-and-immediate-release of trout with artificial lures only
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
combined total for all trout and salmon species, except for specific regulations
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Pink Salmon
Salmon
Michigan statewide
- Daily bag
- 5 fish/day
combined total for all trout and salmon species, except for specific regulations
FAQ
Who regulates fishing on Manistee River?
DNR regulates fishing on Manistee River.
What species can I target on Manistee River?
Manistee River is best known for salmon, steelhead, brown trout. Other species are present and tracked in the rule tables below.
Where should I verify these rules?
These rules summarize DNR's published content. Always confirm with the official source before keeping a catch.
Reference only. Regulations change mid-season. Always verify with the official source before keeping a catch.