Michigan Fly Fishing Hub · Manistee River
Tippy Dam Public Fishing
Access & Boat Ramp Guide
Every public access point, boat ramp, wade-in spot, and parking area below Tippy Dam on the Manistee River — with directions, fees, seasonal notes, and what species to target from each location.
📍 Wellston, MI 49689
🚗 40 min from Traverse City
🎣 Steelhead · Salmon · Brown Trout
🚢 2 Boat Ramps at Dam Site
⛺ 40 Rustic Campsites
Overview
Tippy Dam — Why Every Michigan Angler Knows This Place
Tippy Dam is the upper boundary for steelhead and salmon on the Manistee River — the first point in the system where these powerful migratory fish from Lake Michigan hit the dam and congregate. Below the dam lies one of the most productive stretches of river in Michigan for multiple species across multiple seasons.
The dam is operated by Consumers Energy as a hydroelectric facility and has been running since 1918. The Michigan DNR manages the recreation area below the dam including campground, boat launch, and accessible fishing pier. The stretch from Tippy Dam to M-55 (approximately 20 miles) is designated a National Recreation River — one of only a handful in Michigan — and most adjacent land is USFS property open to public access.
The river below Tippy is wide — 200 to 300 feet across — powerful, and can be dangerous to wade without experience. A drift boat significantly increases both access and safety on this water.
⚠️ Water Level Warning
Tippy Dam is an active hydroelectric facility. Water levels below the dam can rise rapidly without warning when turbines activate. Warning signs are posted at the recreation area. Wade cautiously and always be aware of an escape route to higher ground. Never wade above knee depth directly below the dam structure.
Access Points
Every Public Access Point Below Tippy Dam
Listed in downstream order from the dam. All distances are approximate from the Tippy Dam Recreation Area parking lot.
Tippy Dam Recreation Area — Main Site
Boat LaunchFishing PierWade Access
Location
📍 Manistee County Rd 669, Wellston, MI 49689
Coordinates
44.2601°N, 85.9401°W
Boat Ramp
✅ Concrete ramp on the Manistee River — suitable for drift boats and small motorized vessels
Parking
Large gravel lot — can fill completely during fall salmon runs
Facilities
ADA accessible fishing pier, fish cleaning station, vault toilets, food concession (fall season)
Campground
40 rustic sites (no electricity/water), open year-round, handpump and vault toilets
This is the primary access point and the most heavily used site in Michigan during the fall salmon run. Expect shoulder-to-shoulder conditions September–October. Spring steelhead is significantly less crowded. There is also a second boat launch on the upstream Tippy Dam Backwaters pond — good for paddlers and those targeting bass and pike in the impoundment.
Bear Creek Access — USFS Site
Boat LaunchFishing Pier$5/day Fee
Distance from Dam
~3 miles downstream
Managed By
US Forest Service
Fee
$5/day or $15/week — required for parking
Boat Ramp
✅ Concrete ramp suitable for drift boats and small motorized vessels under 25 feet
Bear Creek is the largest tributary of the Manistee below Tippy Dam and flows into the main river here — creating a confluence that holds excellent populations of steelhead and salmon in addition to the main river fish. Barrier-free fishing pier with concrete walkways provides ADA-accessible access. One of the most productive wading spots on the lower river. Open year-round 24/7. The confluence pool below where Bear Creek enters is a premier steelhead holding spot in spring and fall.
High Bridge Access — USFS Site
Wade AccessRecreation Pass
Distance from Dam
~6 miles downstream
Location
High Bridge Road, off M-37
Fee
America the Beautiful Pass or daily fee
Features
Bank fishing, wade access, limited parking
High Bridge is where the character of the Manistee begins to change — the river widens and deepens, private property begins to mix with public USFS land. Excellent wade fishing access for the deep runs and pools in this section. This is prime streamer water for large brown trout in summer and reliable steelhead water in spring and fall. The pool directly below High Bridge holds fish year-round.
Rainbow Bend — USFS Site
Wade AccessCanoe Launch
Distance from Dam
~9 miles downstream
Best For
Summer trout, Hex hatch access, drift boat float stop
Features
Bank fishing, sandy beach wading, canoe/kayak access
Rainbow Bend is a favorite drift boat float stop and a productive Hex hatch location in late June. The slow outside bend holds significant Hexagenia limbata habitat in the soft muck bottom. The beach area makes for easy wading access. This section is far enough from Tippy Dam that it sees noticeably less pressure than the dam pool and Bear Creek areas.
Blacksmith Bayou — USFS Site
Wade Access
Distance from Dam
~12 miles downstream
Best For
Brown trout, summer dry fly, less pressure
Blacksmith Bayou is a quieter access site used primarily by summer dry fly anglers and those willing to drive past the more crowded upstream sites. Good wade access to summer brown trout water. The area around the bayou holds excellent Hex habitat and receives very light pressure during the hatch compared to the High Bridge and Bear Creek sections.
Season Guide
What to Target and When
| Season | Primary Target | Best Access Points | Peak Timing |
|---|
| Spring Steelhead | Steelhead — chrome spring fish | Tippy Dam pool, Bear Creek confluence | February–May |
| Summer Trout | Brown trout — dry fly and streamers | Rainbow Bend, Blacksmith Bayou, High Bridge | June–August |
| Hex Hatch | Trophy brown trout — night dry fly | Rainbow Bend, Blacksmith Bayou (soft bottom areas) | Late June – early July |
| Fall Chinook | King Salmon — early in the state | Tippy Dam pool (shoulder to shoulder) | Late August–October |
| Fall Coho | Coho Salmon — more aggressive, harder fighters | Tippy Dam pool, Bear Creek | September–October |
| Fall Steelhead | Fall steelhead — more aggressive than spring | Bear Creek, High Bridge | October–November |
| Winter | Brown trout, year-round tailwater | Tippy Dam pool (open year-round) | December–February |
Fall crowds — know before you go
The Tippy Dam pool during peak Chinook salmon season (mid-September through October) is one of the most crowded fishing spots in Michigan. The DNR confirms anglers line the banks shoulder to shoulder. Arrive before dawn for any hope of a quality position. The Bear Creek access 3 miles downstream provides a far better experience with comparable fish counts.
Directions
Getting to Tippy Dam
From Traverse City (1 hour): US-31 South to M-115 East to M-37 South. Turn east on Coates Highway, then north on Chippewa Road to the recreation area.
From Cadillac (40 minutes): US-131 North to M-115 West, then north on M-37, east on Coates Highway.
From Grand Rapids (2.5 hours): US-131 North past Cadillac, same as above.
Address for GPS: Tippy Dam Rd, Wellston, MI 49689. Cell service is limited in the area — download offline maps before leaving.