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Premium Manistee River Salmon Trip | Majestic MI
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- Brethren, MI, United States
- $250 - $600 price range
- Updated Date: August 29, 2025
Summary
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Salmon on the Line
Exciting river boats ready for fishing adventure!
Exciting rainbow trout catch on the river!
Exciting smallmouth bass catch on the river!
Exciting Smoker Drifter boat ready for river fishing!
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Exciting trout catch on the fly in crystal-clear river waters!
Exciting brown trout catch on the river!
Exciting river fishing day under clear blue skies!
Exciting river boats ready for fishing adventure!
Exciting rainbow trout catch on the river!
Exciting smallmouth bass catch on the river!
Exciting Smoker Drifter boat ready for river fishing!
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Exciting trout catch on the fly in crystal-clear river waters!
Exciting brown trout catch on the river!
Exciting river fishing day under clear blue skies!
Exciting river boats ready for fishing adventure!
Exciting rainbow trout catch on the river!
Exciting smallmouth bass catch on the river!
Exciting Smoker Drifter boat ready for river fishing!
Reel in Salmon on the Mighty Manistee
Get ready to hit the water for an epic day of salmon fishing on Michigan's renowned Manistee River. This full-day trip puts you right in the action, drifting through prime salmon habitat with an expert guide at the helm. Whether you're a seasoned angler or trying your hand at salmon for the first time, Captain Josh knows all the sweet spots and techniques to get you on fish. Strap in for nine hours of world-class fishing, stunning scenery, and the rush of battling powerful salmon in one of the Midwest's top fishing destinations.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day kicks off bright and early at 6 AM when you'll meet Captain Josh at the boat launch. After a quick safety briefing, you'll hop aboard our comfortable 16-foot drift boat and push off into the misty morning waters of the Manistee. As the sun climbs higher, we'll work our way downstream, hitting all the prime salmon holding spots. Captain Josh will be right there to offer tips on presentation, reading the water, and fighting fish when that rod doubles over. We provide all the gear you need - top-quality rods, reels, and terminal tackle suited for both fly fishing and conventional methods. Just remember to grab your Michigan fishing license before the trip. Dress in layers and bring rain gear just in case - Michigan weather can be fickle, but we fish rain or shine. Around midday, we'll pull over to a scenic spot to refuel with the included lunch before getting back after those salmon.
Hooking Into Manistee Monsters
The Manistee River is legendary among salmon anglers, and for good reason. Its deep runs, gravel bars, and woody structure create the perfect habitat for big, aggressive fish. We'll employ various techniques throughout the day to entice strikes. If you're fly fishing, we might swing streamers through likely runs or dead-drift egg patterns under an indicator. For conventional anglers, we'll often use spawn bags, beads, or crankbaits. Captain Josh will teach you how to properly mend your line, detect subtle takes, and set the hook when a salmon inhales your offering. Be ready for explosive fights - these fish are fresh from Lake Michigan and full of power. When you hook into a chrome-bright 20-pounder, you'll quickly understand why anglers travel from all over to fish the Manistee.
Species You'll Want to Hook
While this trip focuses on salmon, the Manistee hosts several exciting species that'll test your angling skills. Here's what you might encounter:
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King Salmon, these are the giants of the Pacific salmon world. Manistee kings often tip the scales at 15-30 pounds, with some true monsters pushing 40+. They enter the river starting in August, with peak runs in September and October. Chinooks are prized for their hard-fighting ability and rich, orange flesh. When a big king decides to run, hold on tight - they can peel off 100 yards of line in seconds.
Coho Salmon: Slightly smaller than kings but no less exciting, coho (or silver) salmon typically range from 5-12 pounds on the Manistee. What they lack in size, they make up for in acrobatics. Expect wild aerial displays when you hook into a fresh coho. Their peak run is usually in October, often coinciding with the stunning fall colors along the river.
Steelhead: While not the primary target on this trip, you might encounter some early-run steelhead, especially later in the season. These sea-run rainbow trout are prized for their hard fights and taste. Steelhead in the 5-12 pound range are common, with some reaching 15+ pounds. They often hold in the same water as salmon, so don't be surprised if you hook into one while salmon fishing.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
The Manistee River isn't just another fishing spot - it's a slice of angling paradise that keeps fishermen coming back year after year. The combination of stunning scenery, world-class salmon runs, and the chance to tangle with truly massive fish makes it a bucket-list destination for many. Fall on the Manistee is particularly special. As you drift through sections of the river, you're surrounded by a riot of autumn colors reflecting off the water. The crisp air carries the scent of fallen leaves, and the only sounds are the gentle lapping of water against the boat and the occasional splash of a jumping salmon. It's the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.
Gearing Up for Success
While we provide all the necessary fishing gear, there are a few things you'll want to bring to ensure a comfortable and successful day on the water. First and foremost, don't forget your Michigan fishing license - you can easily purchase one online before the trip. Dress in layers, as Michigan weather can change quickly. A warm base layer, fleece or wool mid-layer, and waterproof outer layer are ideal. Polarized sunglasses are a must for cutting glare and spotting fish. A hat, sunscreen, and a camera to document your catches are also good ideas. If you have any favorite snacks or drinks, feel free to bring them along to supplement the provided lunch. Lastly, bring a positive attitude and be ready to learn - even experienced anglers often pick up new tricks on these trips.
Time to Book Your Spot
If you're itching to test your skills against some of the biggest, baddest salmon in the Midwest, it's time to lock in your Manistee River trip. At $600 for a full day of guided fishing for up to two anglers, it's an incredible value for the level of experience and opportunity you're getting. Remember, the prime salmon season runs from August 15 to December 31, but the best dates fill up fast. Whether you're looking to land your personal best, learn new techniques, or just spend a day making memories on one of Michigan's most beautiful rivers, this trip delivers. Don't let another season slip by - reach out to Majestic Michigan Charters today and get ready for the salmon fishing adventure of a lifetime on the mighty Manistee.
Learn more about the specie
Chum Salmon
Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) Fish Description
The Chum Salmon is an underrated game fish that thrives in both fresh and saltwater. In the ocean, they are blue-green in color and have a silvery appearance (which helps them blend in the ocean), but when they are fully matured and return to freshwaters, they change to olive-green with pink stripes. Females change to brown-grey with a large dark horizontal bar. They eat a variety of prey such as small fishes, mollusks, and squids.
Interesting Facts about the Chum Salmon
- They are anadromous, meaning they mature in the sea then travel back to freshwaters to spawn.
- Matured male chum salmons develop their snouts into a hook-like shape called ‘kype’ and large canine teeth which they use to fight with other males. Females have kypes too but they’re less noticeable compared to males.
Size and Speed of the Chum Salmon
The chum salmon is medium size fish that averages 24 inches in length and between 9.7 to 22 lbs in weight. The world record for the chum salmon is 42 lbs and 44 inches. The average speed of chum salmon is 1-1.8 mph.
Habitat and Distribution of the Chum Salmon
Out of all the salmons, the chum salmons make the longest migration. They can travel up to 2000 miles from the ocean to the rivers where they were born to spawn. Spawning usually happens during fall, but sometimes it happens in late summer. The eggs will hatch in winter and the fries will hide under branches, water plants, and rocks to survive and feed. As they grow bigger, they become more adept at saltwater and slowly make their way to the oceans.
Their preferred depths in the ocean are usually around 42 feet but at night they swim near the surface, around 16 feet. The preferred temperatures of adult chum salmons are between 39.92 to 77.9°F. The chum salmon fry meanwhile prefers temperatures between 53.6 to 57.2°F.
Out of all the salmons in the Pacific, the chum salmon is the most distributed. They can be found throughout the North Pacific Ocean to the Arctic coasts of Canada. Fishing spots for chum salmons are located in Stave River, Harrison River, Chilliwack River, Puget Sound, Yaquina Bay, Oregon, the West Coast, and throughout Alaska.
How to Catch Chum Salmon
Anglers love fly fishing chum salmons in their prime, they can give you a tough battle and they’re also good to eat. One of the most preferred methods is through sight casting. They are said to be pretty easy to catch but they’re also easy to spook. So don’t cast your line right in the middle of the school or an individual. Just cast your line a few feet off the edge from the school. In the ocean, make sure to set your gear to depths of 15-40 feet.
The recommended gear for chum salmon fly fishing is a 7-9 weight fly rod with a full floating line or semi-floating. The mainline should be between 20-25lb combined with a 15-20lb monofilament leader. A clicker reel is more reliable but a drag reel will also be fine. Use a weight of ½ to 2 oz to reach the desired depth.
For the lures, use chartreuse-colored flies to capture the attention of the fish. Other colors such as pink and purple have been reportedly successful too. For baits, what anglers usually use are prawns.
About the Smoker drifter
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 3
Manufacturer Name: Mercury
Maximum Cruising Speed: 5
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 6
