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 06/05/26
South Branch flows at 196 cfs with water temps hitting 57.9°F — prime conditions for the massive Hex emergence that defines Michigan summer fishing. Brown Drakes are already starting to show in the evenings, with the main Hexagenia limbata event likely days away as temps climb into the upper 70s. Focus on foam patterns and extended-body dries for the surface chaos, but don't overlook subsurface presentations during daylight hours when big browns are feeding on ascending nymphs.
- Flow: 196 cfs — ideal levels for wade fishing and sight-casting to rising fish during the evening emergences
- Hatches: Brown Drakes active evenings, massive Hex emergence imminent with water at 57.9°F — size #4-6 foam patterns essential
- Water Temp: 57.9°F and climbing — crossed the Hex trigger threshold, prime zone for giant mayfly activity
- Best Window: Dusk through dark for surface action, midday subsurface for nymphing ascending Hex patterns
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.