The Manistee River in the U.S. state of Michigan, runs 190 miles (310 km) through the northwestern Lower Peninsula; it now passes through the contemporary villages of Sharon, Smithville, and Mesick, entering Lake Michigan at Manistee.It is considered, like the nearby Au Sable River, to be one of the best trout fisheries east of the Rockies.. The entire Manistee River located within Manistee County is what we would consider easy to moderate for the paddler. (231) 883-8156 ted@current-works.com This is a great river for the beginner paddler, but be sure to wear your life jacket, portions of this river can be quite deep. Manistee River Trail, Trail Guide and Trail Map, Photos, Maps, Links, Resources for hiking and running,trail maps, trail information, rail trails, Michigan trails. Largely nomadic, these tribes summered on rivers to the south such as the Grand, the White, and the Muskegon, but always returned to winter on the Manistee River. This map was created by a user. Information and tips for fly fishing the Upper Manistee River in N. Michigan, including streamer fishing for trout, hatches, map and more. Unmolested by bridges, cottages and dams, this wild stretch of Michigan's third-longest river appeals not only to paddlers and anglers looking for trophy trout but also to hikers. This is widely regarded as the best self-sustaining trout water in the Michigan. Western Upper Peninsula (Maps 001 – 032) Central Upper Peninsula (Maps 033– 068) Eastern Upper Peninsula (Maps 069 – 090) Northwest Lower Michigan (Maps 091 – 124) Manistee National Forest (Maps 125 – 143) West Michigan (Maps 144 – 164) Southern Michigan(Maps 165 – 180) With no impoundments and wadable water from Mancelona Road all the way to Smithville, this offers many miles of easy access, wadable, hatch water. Quiet up-river stretches of the Manistee River make ideal waters for an easy, beautiful and doable day of paddling in Northern Michigan. The Manistee River Loop Trail is a 19.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Mesick, Michigan that features a lake and is rated as moderate. Like many rivers, the higher up the river you go, the swifter the current and tighter the turns. bna_0006.jpg. Learn how to create your own. Little Manistee River is a river in Manistee, MI in Manistee National Forest. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. July 25, 2013 • River Maps The Upper Manistee River. The Manistee River watershed was inhabited and controlled by the “Three Fires” Indians : the Potowatami, Ottawa, and Chippewa tribes of the Algonquin Nation. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. TRAIL MAP N MAP KEY Manistee River Trail Section North Country Trail Mile Markers (illustrative purposes only) Trailhead/Access Point Parking Available Toilets Potable Water (seasonal) Fee Area Camping Available Boat/Watercraft Launch P O MESICK Marilla Trailhead (GPS: 44.358397, -85.810473) Slagle Creek Cedar Creek Arquilla Creek From Hodenpyl Dam Pond the Manistee River winds south uninhibited and free in the Manistee National Forest for 13 miles before a road crosses it. Meijer.