NORTHERN MICHIGAN FISHING REPORT – BASS & TROUT CONDITIONS | JUNE 11, 2026

DON'T DELAY, FISH DRIES TODAY!

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. Early June is a great time to get out before summer recreation traffic becomes a larger factor on our rivers. 

If you are a trout angler and love dry flies, June is your month!  We wait for the next several weeks, dreaming of that 20” trout taking your dry as the mayflies of June float by like kids waiting on Santa to bring the present of their dreams. Evening fishing will continue to build and get better and better in the coming weeks. Grab your headlamp, bug spray and hit the stream!

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 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. It seems like we have a healthy mix of mayflies on the Upper River with Isonychias, Sulphurs, and some Brown Drakes in certain sections. Mahoganies are wrapping up and we are seeing stoneflies during the day and into the evenings.  

What's Working:

  • McCoy’s Cherry Bomb Iso
  • Borchers Drake
  • Sparkle dun emerger suphur

Best Tactics

Look for Isos and Sulphurs to be in riffle waters and Brown Drakes in the more sandy 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 Brown Drake and Isonychia action on the Manistee and Hex will be starting soon 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 hours.

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 my provide some dry fly action depending on the section you are exploring.

What's Working

Best Tactics

Fish the Boardman-Ottaway River on an overcast day for best results. This river will humble you on a bluebird day! Work downstream, wading stealthily with a small streamer cast to the bank and worked or twitched out to the center of the river. Swinging nymphs and soft hackles in the riffles.

Looking Ahead

In the coming weeks look for the fish to start looking up on leggy attractors twitched on the surface. Streamer and nymph fishing is always a great way to fish the Boardman Ottaway River.

Inland Lakes

Fishing on our inland lakes is fantastic right now. Bass, pike, and bluegill are all active and happy to take flies. We have really started to see good action on poppers, spiders and surface bugs.  If you are inclined to fish streamers, this has been good over weed beds for pike and bass. The mayflies are starting to hatch on some of the local lakes and the fish will start to gorge themselves on those throughout the evening and nighttime hours.

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

Lake fishing should be great for the balance of the summer, BUT during times of the heavy mayfly hatches the fish may not be as aggressive as they are really targeting the nymphs and adults as they emerge on local lakes.

Around the Shop

A quick update on:

  • New Winston Rods are in the shop.  Stop by and cast one!
  • The Northern Angler Fly Fishing Classes: June 20, July 25 and August 2
  • Events- Book Signing with Matt Supinski July 11, 2026
  • Guide available for float trips on the Manistee for trout or smallmouth and inland lakes for bass and bluegills
  • Demo Day with Ben Hunting July 18th-Sage, Redington Rio and Fishpond!!

Looking Ahead

As we move into the coming week, anglers should keep an eye on weather patterns and water temperatures. A well-timed rain event could improve conditions dramatically, while warmer weather will continue to concentrate activity during the cooler parts of the day.

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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