June 24, 2026 Northern Michigan Fishing Report
Conditions & Outlook
Fishing for trout on the local rivers is in full swing and we are focusing more efforts on dry fly fishing in the late afternoon/evening to dark. Streamer and nymph fishing during the day has been productive.
We are in the thick of our dry fly season. Evening fishing will continue to build and get better and better in the coming weeks. Grab your headlamp, bug spray and hit the stream! We are just at the beginning of our Hex Hatch on The Manistee and that should be almost ready to pop once we get this warm weather this upcoming week. Other sections with gravel rifles are seeing ISO hatches in the afternoons and evenings.
Need help planning your trip? Stop by the shop, give us a call, or book a guide trip. Our staff and guides are on the water daily and can help point you in the right direction.
Traverse City Weather Conditions
Traverse City Weather Conditions
Manistee River
The Manistee River has been fairly consistent throughout the past week. Streamer fishing in the morning hours to the late afternoon has produced some nice fish. The River is starting to clear after that bump of water we received last week which did bring clarity down on the upper river to 2-3 feet. It seems like we have a healthy mix of mayflies on the Upper River with Isonychias, and stoneflies during the day and into the evenings taking the main stage
What's Working
- McCoy’s Cherry Bomb Iso
- Borchers Drake
- Wet Skunks
- Dust Bunny
- Chubbies Size 12-8
Best Tactics
- Look for Isos in riffle waters and Hex in the more swampy sections. For the best dry fly fishing, look for the activity to really build during the evening hours until dark. Set up on a run and fish to the feeding fish and avoid just random casting in order to let the bigger fish get out and start to feed. The mosquitoes are in full force and make sure you pack your bug spray or stop by the shop and pick up a Sol Defense or Insect Shield Hoodies- they really do make a big difference!
Looking Ahead
In the coming week,we will see more isonychia action on the Manistee and Hex will get rolling in the swampy sections of this river. Trout will start to really key in on more surface action, but streamer action will remain a good choice during the daytime hour or fish a large stonefly on the warm sunny days.
Boardman Ottaway River
The Boardman continues to fish well for anglers willing to cover water and focus on prime holding lies. Cooler sections of the river remain particularly productive. Look to explore more water on this river and focus efforts on sub surface flies such as smaller streamers and nymphs. Evening may provide some dry fly action depending on the section you are exploring.
What's Working
- Wet Skunk
- Balenced Leeches
- Laser Legal