Trip brief · Pine River (Manistee tributary)
How to go fish the Pine River (Manistee tributary)
The months we list for the Pine River (Manistee tributary) are May, June, July, September. October is outside that window, so this brief is written for May, the next month we list.
May
Reading the gauge…
Flies to tie — May
Hendrickson (Ephemerella subvaria)#12-14
Hendrickson Dry, Hendrickson Nymph
Caddis (Trichoptera)#14-16
Stonefly#6-12
Golden Stone, Stimulator
Access
Elm Flats Canoe Landing
44.153, -85.709parking
Dobson Bridge Canoe Landing
44.180, -85.759parking
Peterson Bridge Campground
44.202, -85.797parking
Peterson Bridge Canoe Landing
44.204, -85.796parking
Regs — check current rules before you go
Michigan DNR no longer maintains an active Blue Ribbon list; current rules are stream Types 1-4 plus any Gear Restricted listing. Confirm the 2026 Michigan Fishing Regulations and the Inland Trout and Salmon map for the Pine River in Manistee, Lake, and Osceola counties (this is not the Oscoda County Pine). Michigan fishing license required. On the National Scenic River corridor, a watercraft permit is required Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (recreation.gov). Stay on Forest Service landings; private land is posted.
Pack list
- A current state fishing licence
- Waders and boots you have already leak-tested
- Net, nippers, forceps
- Floatant and desiccant
- Tippet in the sizes the chart asks for
- Water, sun cover, polarised glasses
Generic gear. Anything specific to this water is above.
Full hatch chart, access map and live gauge on the Pine River (Manistee tributary) page →