NORTHERN MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT- BASS & TROUT CONDITIONS | JULY 17, 2026

Conditions & Outlook

This week has been really crazy here in Northern Michigan with the smoke and particulate pollution from the wild fires in Ontario.  Today the air quality is starting to improve and the river temperatures are much better for the trout fishing.  We are excited for our Sage, Redington and Fishpond Demo Day tomorrow at the shop!  Stop by and cast one of the new Sage rods for your chance to win a Fishpond Pack or a Rio Fly Line!!  We will have in store specials and refreshments! See you this Saturday!!

The next week looks really good for early morning trout, warm water bass and bluegill action!  Our guides have been doing well on trout when the water temperatures are in a safe zone for the trout and the bass fishing has been really pretty solid for this time of year.  Cooler evening and night time temperatures will make the trout happy once again.  Terrestrial action is really picking up and the night time bite has been productive.

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

USGS Upper Manistee River Gauge

USGS Boardman River Gauge

Manistee River

The Upper Manistee is really in great shape and fishing has been good prior to this really warm weather we experienced the past week.  It actually felt good to give the trout a break and chase some bass! We are excited to get back on the trout stream for some early morning dry fly action. Tricos are starting to hatch early mornings, which is getting the trout to look up.  Smaller terrestrials, ants, and beetles have been gaining good eats from the browns and brookies on the Upper Manistee.  The lower Manistee has been gaining traction for the smallmouth and occasional pike from Highbridge down.  

What's Working:

  • Amy’s Ant
  • Purple Chubbies
  • Splitwing Beetle
  • Atomic Ant
  • Tricos
  • Best Tactics

Early morning trout bite or late evenings are the best.  Avoid the middle of the day and target some of the faster water riffles. The brook trout have really been concentrated in the gravel sections.  Big browns are still out on the prowl with moths and leftover hex hatching.  There have been some of the smaller hexagenia recurvata hatching throughout the morning hours.  Get your 3 or 4 weight rod out and have some fun with dry flies!

Looking Ahead

Morning fishing will be the ticket for the balance of the summer.  Tricos and terrestrials will be the ticket for trout!

 

Boardman Ottaway River

The birthplace of the Adams fly- the Boardman-Ottoway River is in great shape and temperatures have been holding in a safe range.  This river is best fished on overcast or partly cloudy days.  Smaller streamers and nymphs work well when the fish are not looking up.  Ants and beetles fished with some twitches work great!

What's Working

  • Pink Hippy Stompers
  • Black Chubby Chernobyls
  • Ant Acid

Best Tactics

Cover water on this river!  Fish spots and keep moving.  Stalk fish and don’t be afraid to give your fly plenty of action.

Looking Ahead

The Boardman River will really fish great for the balance of the summer.  It is in great shape and make sure you have rubber legged flies in your box!

 

Inland Lakes

Bass and bluegill and have been looking up for poppers!  Early morning and evenings are best.

What's Working

Best Tactics

Look for fishing to be best in the early morning hours and evening hours.  Topwater action is the best and it is so much fun to hit a local lake for some bass and bluegill and fish until just before dark.  

Looking Ahead

Fish drop offs and over weed beds for bass on streamers.  Some fish are dropping off and heading for some deeper water but work the shallows for minnows and dragon flies in the early morning and late evenings. .

 

Around the Shop

A quick update on:

 

Looking Ahead

The balance of the summer should really be fun with many options for anglers from rivers to small creeks  for trout.  A ton of lakes and the lower Manistee for bass!  If you have a desire to get out this fall we still have a handful of dates available.

As always, stop in, call, or send us a message if you'd like the latest information before your trip. We look forward to seeing you on the water.

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