Apparel
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer
A 100% merino wool base layer for temperature regulation and moisture management, under waders or a jacket.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's Page
Lakes & ReservoirsFly FishingSpin, Cast & Bait
Lake Michigan (Manistee) Fishing Guide
Michigan
Lake Michigan off Manistee, where the DNR lists lake trout and steelhead in every season, brown trout in winter and spring, and Chinook and coho salmon from spring into fall.
Photo: Gregory Varnum via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Trip at a Glance
Anglers come to Lake Michigan (Manistee) for brown trout, lake trout, steelhead, Chinook salmon, coho salmon and walleye. November is outside the confirmed prime months here: steelhead and Chinook salmon are prime Oct; coho salmon is prime Aug; walleye is prime Apr.
There are 5 shops within 25 miles; the closest is Tangled Tackle Co. in Manistee, about 2 mi away. Also nearby: the Manistee River.
Season at a Glance
JFMAMJJASOND
Brown Trout
Lake Trout
No Agency SeasonNo Agency Season Found
Steelhead
Chinook Salmon
Coho Salmon
Walleye
Legend
This Month Prime: Top Months Open, Slower State Pattern No Agency Season Found
Agency: Michigan DNR: Steelhead; Chinook SalmonCreel Survey: Michigan DNR (Coho Salmon, Walleye)State Pattern: Michigan DNR (Brown Trout), not confirmed for this waterHow We Read It
Season Rules & Licenses
- Trout and salmon (2026): 5 a day in any combination, no more than 3 of them brook, brown, rainbow (steelhead) and lake trout and splake combined; 10 inch minimum, 15 inches for lake trout and splake. Lake trout and splake may be kept all year here (unit MM-6). Michigan DNR 2026
Rules: our short summary, not the official text. Gear & Tackle is independent, not a government site; rules change, so read the agency's current rules before you go.
Most anglers need a Michigan fishing license; age cutoffs and exemptions are set by the state.
Licensed Bait Dealers Nearby
Don's Sporting Goods
535 Cypress St, ManisteeSource: Michigan DNR's bait dealer list, May 2026.
Parts of Lake Michigan
- Lakes & Reservoirs · MichiganLake Michigan (Frankfort)Lake Michigan off Frankfort, where the DNR lists browns, lake trout, and steelhead in winter and spring and salmon from summer into fall.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · WisconsinLake Michigan (Algoma)Lake Michigan off Algoma in Kewaunee County, where state creel surveys counted more than 42,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, plus rainbows and coho.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · Michigan · You're HereLake Michigan (Manistee)Lake Michigan off Manistee, where the DNR lists lake trout and steelhead in every season, brown trout in winter and spring, and Chinook and coho salmon from spring into fall.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · WisconsinLake Michigan (Manitowoc)Lake Michigan off Manitowoc and Two Rivers, where state creel surveys counted more than 17,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, plus rainbows, coho, and lake trout.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · WisconsinLake Michigan (Sheboygan)Lake Michigan off Sheboygan, where state creel surveys counted more than 13,000 Chinook salmon kept in 2023, along with coho, lake trout, and rainbows.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · MichiganLake Michigan (Grand Haven)Lake Michigan off Grand Haven, where the DNR's roadmap for Muskegon and Grand Haven lists coho and steelhead from winter into fall, lake trout in winter, summer and fall, and Chinook from spring into fall.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · MichiganLake Michigan (St. Joseph)Lake Michigan off St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, where the DNR lists salmon and steelhead through most of the year and yellow perch in summer and fall.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · IllinoisLake Michigan (Chicago)Harbors and lakefront structure along Chicago with spring coho, summer kings, and perch.
- Lakes & Reservoirs · IndianaLake Michigan (Michigan City)Lake Michigan at Michigan City, Indiana, with coho and Chinook salmon, steelhead, lake trout, brown trout, yellow perch, and smallmouth bass.
Lake Michigan (Manistee) Species
Brown Trout
State pattern per Michigan DNR (Michigan's Great Lakes waters): Mar to Apr. Not yet confirmed here.
Catch by Month
Creel survey data, 2016 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)
Lake Trout
No agency season found.
Catch by Month
Creel survey data, 2016 to 2022 (blank: not surveyed)
Steelhead
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Prime: Oct
View Species
Chinook Salmon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Prime: Oct
View Species
Coho Salmon
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Prime: Aug
View Species
Walleye
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Prime: Apr
View SpeciesSpecies per Michigan DNR. Catch by month from Michigan DNR creel survey data.
Images: Timothy Knepp and Michael Humling, USFWS. Public domain.
What to Use
Fishing In
Fish
Steelhead
Prime: Oct
Fly
11 to 13 ft 7 or 8 wt spey or switch rod with a Skagit head and sink tips, or a 10 ft 8 wt single hand rod with an indicator rig.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodNo pick yet; match the setup above.
- ReelRedington Behemoth Fly Reel · for 7 and 8 weightCheck Price
- LineScientific Anglers Sink-Tip Fly Line · 8 wt.Check Price
- LeaderRIO Fluorocarbon Tippet · not named by the setup textCheck Price
Tie On in November
No flies listed for this fish here yet.
Spin / Cast
8.5 to 10.5 ft medium-light rod, 3000 spinning reel, 8 to 12 lb line. Float and jig or drift rigs.
Rod, Reel and Line
- RodUgly Stik Elite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod · 8 ft 6 in medium, 8 to 14 lb, fast, 2 pieceCheck Price
- ReelShimano Sedona Spinning Reel · C3000Check Price
- LineBerkley Trilene XL Monofilament · 8, 10 or 12 lbCheck Price
Tie On in November
- Bait for November · Single or clusterCured Salmon Eggs✓ Named by Michigan DNRBait Shops
- Lure for November · 3 to 4.5 inTrolling Spoon✓ Named by Michigan DNRSmall spoons near the thermal bars.See Options
- Lure for November · 1/16 to 1 ozCasting SpoonFrom piers and warm water discharges.See Options
Named by Michigan DNR: the Michigan Department of Natural Resources names this kind of fly, lure or bait for this fish here; tap the name for its page. It names the type, not the product we link, and does not endorse this site.
Other Picks: general for this fish, each checked against state and federal agency pages, not specific to this water. Ask a local shop what is working.
Gear: rods, reels and lines are starting points, sized from each maker's page. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Buy Local
Shops near Lake Michigan (Manistee):
- Tangled Tackle Co., ManisteeWebsite
- Pappy's Bait & Tackle, WellstonWebsite
- Moore Outfitters, ThompsonvilleWebsite
Map of Lake Michigan (Manistee)
Planning for a Month
Prime in November
Nothing at its peak this month.
Daylight
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Moon
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Typical Weather
46°F high, 33°F low
About 3.2 in of precipitation for the month.
Typical, Not a Forecast: weather from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals at a station about 4 mi away.
Also Worth Packing
Clothing for November comes first, picked from typical weather here.
Apparel
Glacier Glove Alaska River Flip Mitt
Fingerless fishing gloves with a fold-over mitt for cold hands between casts.
Pack It For: Nov to Mar
Check Price Maker's PageNets & Tools
Frabill Rubber Mesh Landing Net
A floating trout net with tangle-free micromesh rubberized netting and a flat bottom that supports the fish's weight evenly.
Check Price Maker's PageFlashers & Dodgers
Pro-Troll ProChip 11 Flasher
A trolling flasher with a kicker fin for an erratic roll, with the kicking power to run spoons and bait rigs behind it.
Check Price Maker's PageTerminal Tackle
Northland Rock-Runner Bottom Bouncer
A bottom bouncer with a 10 in stainless steel wire feeler that glides over rocks, logs and weeds, for drifting and trolling spinner rigs and live bait for walleyes.
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Simms SolarFlex Sun Hoody
A UPF 50+ hooded sun shirt with a vented hood and extended sleeves, for long, bright days.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Buff CoolNet UV Neckwear
A UPF 50 sun gaiter for the face and neck.
Pack It For: Jun to Sep
Check Price Maker's PageApparel
Frogg Toggs Pro Action Rain Jacket
A durable, waterproof hooded jacket for a wet month.
Pack It For: Oct
Check Price Maker's PageSome links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Shops Near Lake Michigan (Manistee)
Within 25 mi
Guides and Charters Near Lake Michigan (Manistee)
Within 25 mi
Charter
Riverside Charters
Manistee, Michigan· 1 mi
Per their website: Brown Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon, River Trips
Charter
Michigan Sport Fishing Charters
Manistee, Michigan· 2 mi
297 6th Avenue, slip #12 517-745-0738
Per their website: Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon
Charter
Slipknot Charters
Manistee, Michigan· 2 mi
308 River St, Slip 7 231-679-0358
Per their website: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Lake Trout, Full-Day Trips, River Trips
Charter
Keepin' It Reel Fishing Charters
Manistee, Michigan· 2 mi
Per their website: Lake Trout, Steelhead, Chinook Salmon
Charter
Dog Bone Sport Fishing Charters LLC
Manistee, Michigan· 2 mi
Per their website: Half-Day Trips, Full-Day Trips
