Michigan
Manistee River near Wellston
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Blocking Factors
- Configured water observations are currently unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 04125550 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Overcast
Temperature
72°F
Feels like
77°F
Wind
5 mph NE
Wind gust
12 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 1:15 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.75 in
Last 48 hours
2.39 in
Moderate rainfall may cause rising or changing flows.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 10%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 66°F
Chance 8%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 12 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 70°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 4 PM
Clear
Temp 77°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 8 PM
Partly cloudy
Temp 72°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 65°F
Chance 15%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 16 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 76°F / Low 59°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 17 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 84°F / Low 58°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 60°F
Chance 31%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 34 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Manistee River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
The Manistee near Wellston is the quality trout reach between Hodenpyl and Tippy dams. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04125550 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Manistee near Sherman 04124000 and from the Lake Michigan mouth. Hydro dams block the classic lower-river steelhead run from this pin. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Manistee Wellston brown trout. USGS 04125550. Distinct from Sherman 04124000.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Manistee rainbow trout above Tippy Dam.
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Manistee brook trout in colder water.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Regulated Manistee River trout water in Manistee County near Wellston, distinct from Sherman upstream and from the tailwater below Tippy Dam.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MDNR and Huron-Manistee National Forest Manistee River access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04125550. This pin is not Sherman 04124000.
Stocking information
MDNR manages Manistee trout in this reach. Confirm current official stocking separately.
Official sources
MDNR Manistee River gear-restricted trout rules change by reach. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. Distinct from Sherman 04124000. Confirm current MDNR Fishing Regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Manistee, Michigan
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Manistee
Management Category
Regulated inland trout river
Regulation Scope
Manistee River near Wellston
Regulation Summary
Manistee near Wellston: MDNR inland trout stream rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, rainbow-trout, brook-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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