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 10/02/26
At 286 cfs and 53.1°F, the South Branch is running at a solid fall level with water temps right at the PMD/March Brown threshold — but this time of year, October BWOs are the story. On a freestone like this, expect Baetis to come off during the warmest part of the day, roughly 11am–2pm, as air temps crest into the mid-to-upper 50s. The 4-day forecast shows highs holding between 57–66°F with no significant rain, which means stable, fishable conditions throughout the week. Sunday the 4th looks like the outlier — a push to 65.9°F could extend the afternoon hatch window nicely. Baldwin Bait & Tackle noted solid action building with smiling clients but no blowout conditions yet. With temps where they are, fish streamers early on overcast mornings and switch to a dry-dropper or straight BWO dries by late morning. Size 18–20 Sparkle Duns or Vis-A-Dun parachutes are the move during the hatch. Browns are aggressive pre-spawn — don't sleep on swinging soft hackles through the deeper runs after the hatch dies.
- Flow: 286 cfs — healthy fall level, wading comfortable, enough push to keep fish tucked in current seams and along undercut banks.
- Hatches: October BWOs (Baetis) expected 11am–2pm when air temps peak. Size 18–20 dries. Soft hackle swings productive when hatch fades.
- Water Temp: 53.1°F — right at the PMD/March Brown crossover. Caddis and BWO activity both viable; expect Baetis to dominate into October.
- Best Window: Late morning through early afternoon for dry fly action. Overcast mornings favor streamers for pre-spawn browns. Sunday may extend hatch window.
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
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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.