Manistee River/ Manistee Lake?

[Youngfish.]

Going to get out and fish in the boat in Manistee next week. I was just wondering about the river, and Manistee lake. Does anyone ever fish Manistee Lake for Steelhead/Browns, and how deep is it? I was thinking of launching on the lauch by the pierheads then trolling up river toward Manistee Lake, the trolling back down river, then troll the shoreline of the lake. I was planning on running 4-6 boards, two level lines, with hot n tots, a variety of raps, and some smaller spoons. Thanks for any advice!!

[SeaCatMich]

The Little Manistee feeds into the lake at Filer City. This arm of the lake is pretty deep with drop offs and I have caught steelhead and salmon trolling off the mouth. I have only done this in the fall and I don't know if there is a spring fishery there or not -- especially after the steelhead have gone up river.

At Filer City there is a nice launch ramp that would handle your boat fine.

There are special regulations for the river and mouth of the river. Here's the info from the fishing guide:

MANISTEE: Little Manistee R. 300’ either side of weir closed to fishing all year; from 300’ above weir to Spencers Bridge closed to fishing Jan. 1 - March 31; also from 300’ below DNR weir to mouth closed to fishing Sept. 1 - Nov. 14 and Jan. 1 - March 31. South end of Manistee L. (south of a line from red post 110 ft. south of boat launch on east side of lake to a red post near south end of Packaging Corp. on west side of lake), closed to fishing Sept. 6 - Oct. 15 or to when the quota of chinook eggs has been taken.

[Youngfish.]

Alright cool thanks! What would you run when you trolled? I will probably give it a try then. Do you think there are still fish coming up? They are just starting to come up on the Manistique. My uncle took me out about 6 years ago and we went to lake Manistee. I want to say it was end of April sometime. I remember watching someone next to us catch a nice steelhead. Thanks!

[SeaCatMich]

I mainly used body baits for fishing the lake -- X4, X5, and U20 Flatfish, Tadpoly, and Deep Jr. Thundersticks. Both on flat lines and off downriggers set 15-20' deep -- but you have to really watch for the drop offs.

[Sea sick again]

Across from the bager is a good spot

[Youngfish.]

Alright thanks! How deep is the lake on average?

[polizh prinze]

Most people troll in Manistee Lake in the fall. Depth varies a lot and can change in a hurry around the old slab docks. There are buoys for navigation. People anchor in the mouth of the Big Manistee on the north end of the lake early in the year, but of course this year is unlike any other. They mainly fish with spawn there. Personally, I would concentrate on the shoreline for browns and steelhead. Good luck.

[Youngfish.]

Alright cool... Yeah, I will probably check it out but concentrate on the shoreline then. Thanks for all the information! Hope to have a report to share.

[SeaCatMich]

Across from the bager is a good spot

Yes it is, but that is in Ludington!