South Branch Manistee
Luther · Chase · Wild Trout
N Lower Michigan, USA
Open live forecast →Target species: Brown, Brook, and Rainbow.
Stream gauge: 04125460. Flow and water temperature update on every refresh.
Weekly AI Outlook as of 07/31/26
At 226 cfs the South Branch Manistee is running at a comfortable, wadeable level — expect clear flows through the Luther and Chase stretches with good visibility into the slots and undercut banks. Water temp of 59.4°F is right in the wheelhouse for late-July activity, and Hexagenia is at peak right now — this is the main event. Hex spinner falls are a low-light affair; fish the last 30 minutes of evening light into dark on slow inside bends and glassy flats. Size 4–6 foam or extended-body patterns are the call. With a high of 87°F today and 1.47" of rain forecast Saturday, watch for a short-term CFS bump — if flows jump more than 30–40 cfs after that rain event, the evening Hex windows may push tighter to dark as visibility drops. No recent shop intel specific to the South Branch — outlook based on current gauge and hatch calendar.
- Flow: 226 cfs — wadeable and fishable throughout. Saturday rain (1.47") could bump flows 24–48 hrs later; monitor gauge before evening sessions.
- Hatches: Hexagenia is at peak. Fish size #4–6 Foam Hex or Extended Body Hex at dusk into dark. Spotted Sedge caddis (#14–16 Elk Hair) covers daytime activity.
- Water Temp: 59.4°F — ideal range for brown and brook trout activity. Daytime highs near 88°F; fish mornings and evenings to avoid midday thermal stress on fish.
- Best Window: Early morning for rising fish on caddis; prime Hex window is 8:30–10:30pm. Sunday–Monday evenings look cleanest with no rain and lighter winds.
Generated weekly from live USGS gauge readings, weather forecasts, and recent fly shop reports. Updates Friday mornings.
About this Water
- Freestone
- Best months: May–Oct, peak June (Hex)
The South Branch of the Manistee River in northern Michigan is a smaller, more intimate version of its Mainstream sister — wild brown and brook trout in pocket water and gravel runs through the Manistee National Forest. The Mason Tract section offers fly-only catch-and-release water through a particularly scenic corridor. Hatches mirror the broader Manistee system: Hendrickson and Cahill in spring, the Hex emergence in late June.
The Mason Tract on the South Branch — a fly-fishing-only catch-and-release section — was one of the first conservation easements in Michigan history, protected by the Mason family in the 1970s specifically to preserve a wild trout fishery for future generations.
Hatch Calendar
| Insect | Peak | Active | Size | Productive Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hexagenia (Giant Mayfly) Hexagenia limbata |
Jun, Jul | Jun, Jul | #4–6 |
|
| Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria |
Apr, May | Apr, May | #12–14 |
|
| Brown Drake Ephemera simulans |
Jun | Jun | #10–12 |
|
| Caddis (Spotted Sedge) Hydropsyche spp. |
May, Jun | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | #14–16 |
|
Access & Approach
Roscommon, MI is the primary base. Mason Tract Pathway provides hike-in access to the most productive water. Michigan fishing license + trout stamp required. Catch-and-release / fly-only regulations on the Mason Tract.
Nearby Fly Shops
- Baldwin Bait & Tackle
- Trails To Trout
- Mangled Fly
Regulations & License
Fishing in Michigan requires a current license. Always verify season dates, bag limits, and any special-regulation waters before you fish.
Michigan fishing regulations & license →
Nearby Waters
Closest Waters
More in This Region
About Current
South Branch Manistee conditions on Current combine real-time flow data (USGS, WSC, CDEC, CEHQ), weather, tide predictions, hatch probabilities calibrated to this specific water, and recent fly shop reports from the area.
South Branch Manistee is one of 245 hand-curated waters in Current. The app and web forecast also generate AI outlooks for any unlisted river, lake, or saltwater flat anywhere in the world — drop a pin or paste a name and Current produces a fresh seasonal outlook with weather, flow context, and recommended techniques.
Open the live forecast for today's numbers and the 7-day outlook, or download the iOS app to carry it with you on the water.