2026 regulation year
Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties) 2026 — Michigan Fishing Regulations
Michigan statewide rules apply unless overridden below.
Last updated
Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties) carries a special-regulation overlay on top of Michigan's 2026 fishing rules. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.
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State-level special regulation
Flies-only gear-restricted upper-river reach from M-72 to Sunset Trail Road (CCC Bridge, ~16.7 mi) — distinct from the lower salmon water below Tippy Dam; 2 trout / day, no more than 1 fish ≥ 18 in; size minimums brook + rainbow 10 in, brown 18 in; open all year
Source: Michigan special-water list
Official source
Michigan Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Michigan fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.
Visit official Michigan fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Michigan Department of Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Michigan trip during the active season.
Other special-regulation waters in Michigan
- Au Sable River — Mason Tract
- Au Sable River mainstream (Oscoda County)
- Au Sable River, North Branch (Crawford County)
- Au Sable River, South Branch (Crawford County)
- Betsie River
- Big Manistee
- Black Lake (Cheboygan County)
- Black River (Otsego / Montmorency Counties)
- Boardman River
- Cooks Run (Iron County)
- Detroit River (border with ON)
- Duck Creek (Gogebic County)
Frequently asked questions
- What special fishing regulations apply at Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties)?
- Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties) carries one special-regulation overlay that overrides Michigan's statewide 2026 rules. It reads: "Flies-only gear-restricted upper-river reach from M-72 to Sunset Trail Road (CCC Bridge, ~16.7 mi) — distinct from the lower salmon water below Tippy Dam; 2 trout / day, no more than 1 fish ≥ 18 in; size minimums brook + rainbow 10 in, brown 18 in; open all year." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
- Do I need a fishing license to fish Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties)?
- Yes. Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties) is in Michigan, so a valid Michigan fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Manistee River, flies-only headwaters; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Michigan rules.
- Do Manistee River, flies-only headwaters (Crawford / Kalkaska Counties)'s special rules replace Michigan's statewide limits?
- Only where they conflict. Michigan's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Manistee River, flies-only headwaters by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rule for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.