Michigan
Manistee River near Wellston
Location Snapshot
Manistee River near Wellston is a northern Michigan mainstem reach downstream from the inland trout water near Sherman and closer to the river’s Lake Michigan influence. Brown trout are the primary supported target, with rainbow trout adding another salmonid opportunity in this larger coldwater river.
Current River Rating
Fair · 61
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Wednesday, 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
Why
- Water temperature is within the preferred trout range.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: Medium
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1650 CFS
- Gage Height
- 8.79 ft
- Water Temperature
- 55.6 °F
- Observation Time
- Oct 20, 2026, 11:15 AM
Updated recently · 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
Clear
Temperature
39°F
Feels like
34°F
Wind
2 mph E
Wind gust
4 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 AM
Clear
Temp 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 12 PM
Clear
Temp 56°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 4 PM
Clear
Temp 63°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 12 AM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 4 AM
Clear
Temp 41°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 63°F / Low 39°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 38°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Mostly clear
High 70°F / Low 48°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 9 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 49°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 19 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
Brown trout are in the mixed, regulated-flow fishery on the Manistee River near Wellston, along with rainbow trout.
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
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Regulated flow
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
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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