Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(10 reviews)
Dilling Road
Brethren MI, United States

Come fish with Chromeseekers! After Lake Michigan and the Betsie River, Captain Dan offers yet another adventure. This time, you can join him on the Big Manistee River. The trips are suitable for both beginners and avid anglers, so there’s a fish to be found for everyone.

You’ll be fishing 1 of 2 boats.

One is a 17’ Smokercraft boat that accommodates up to 2 anglers during steelhead and 3 during Salmon. This jet boat is powered by a 40/60 HP Yamaha engine.

The other boat is a 15 ft stealth craft drift boat ran by Captain Dan’s other guide, Keygan. This boat is used as overflow. Only 2 anglers allowed due to space.

Due to where the captains are allowed to fish on the Big Manistee (Tippy Dam) the salmon may not be around. So he spends most of late August and September on the Betsie river in his drift boat or on Lake Michigan. When the Betsie starts to slow down in early October, the captain will move down to fish Tippy Dam full time.

Steelhead fishing gets going sometime in October when we get some rain and more cooler temps.

Winter can be a great time because the crowds are gone. Don’t let the snow or cold stop you because this can be some awesome fishing for winter run steelhead.

Late February the spring run starts to show up and can get good anytime between mid march and late April depending on weather. Available til May.

When most leave for the lakes, the river fishes for other species. Steelhead, Trout, Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, etc. You never know what you will catch come summer time.

The captain takes care for your fishing equipment, including lures and live bait. We ask that all steelhead be caught and release. With salmon, please think about limiting your kill and not killing your limit for the future of the fishery.

Don’t forget to purchase your fishing license and pack some snacks and drinks for the day.

  • Live Bait
  • You Keep Catch
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Child Friendly
  • Rods, reels & tackle

Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    5 Hour – Winter Steelhead (MAX 2)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 11:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Dec 1 - Mar 10
    $310
    Do you enjoy the peace and quiet of the river with little to no pressure around? This might be the trip for you if you can bear the cold weather and the snow. Although this is not "peak" Steelheading time, with the little pressure and conditions, the fish usually wants to bite. This is one of the captain's favorite times to hit the water on his own. Trips also take place during the warmest part of the day. Max allowed on this trip is 2.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip–Winter Steelhead (MAX2)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Dec 1 - Mar 10
    $385
    Do you enjoy the peace and quiet of the river with little to no pressure around? This might be the trip for you if you can bear the cold weather and the snow. Although this is not "peak" Steelheading time, with the little pressure and conditions, the fish usually wants to bite. This is one of the captain's favorite times to hit the water on his own. The trip runs during the warmest part of the day. No worries, if the weather is downright cold, the captain will cancel the trip if it makes sense.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Salmon (11:30AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 11:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 25 - Oct 20
    $325
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. You will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, you can bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, the captain has all the gear you will need. The peak time is September 25 - October 12. Sleep in and miss the morning rush. The captain will see you at the launch at 11:30 a.m.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Sep 30 - Oct 20
    $325
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. Peak time is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Sep 20 - Oct 20
    $325
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. Peak time is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 15 - May 20
    $325
    Looking to test your skills against a challenging fish? Then Steelhead is for you. All you need is a license and warm clothes, as the captain has all the gear you will need. Primetime is late October, November, late February, March, and April.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Oct 10 - May 20
    $325
    Looking to test your skills against a challenging fish? Then Steelhead is for you. All you need is a license and warm clothes, as the captain has all the gear you will need. Primetime is late October, November, late February, March, and April. The crew offers both morning and afternoons. For the PM trips, if the water is low and clear and the skies are clear, fishing can be downright brutal. If you still want to go in the afternoon, the captain can accommodate you.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Summer (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 20 - Aug 1
    $350
    This trip is not designed for any particular species. You will typically start off looking for Trout and finish with looking for more toothy critters. Fish to be potentially caught: Trout, Skamania Steelhead, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bass. Salmon trips don’t start until late August for the area I fish and it gets way better towards mid to late September. We fish crawlers under floats and bottom bouncing. We also cast jigs and body boats for other fish.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip – Summer (PM) MAX 2
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 4:30 PM
    Seasonal trip May 20 - Aug 1
    $350
    This trip is not designed for any particular species. You typically start off looking for Trout and end the trip looking for more toothy critters. Fish to be potentially caught: Trout, Skamania Steelhead, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bass. Salmon trips don’t start until late August for the area I fish and it gets way better towards mid to late September. We fish crawlers under floats and bottom bouncing. We also cast jigs and body boats for other fish. Only 2 allowed on the trip.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 25 - Oct 20
    $400
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. The peak time where I can guide is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Oct 1 - Oct 20
    $400
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. The peak time is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Aug 25 - Oct 20
    $500
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. Peak time is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Sep 20 - Oct 20
    $500
    Come do battle with some of the biggest fish in Michigan. We will be fishing either body baits or floating skein underneath a bobber in September. All rods have spinning reels with long rods. In October, we bottom bounce beads and yard with spinning reels. All you need is a license and warm clothes, I have all the gear you will need. Peak time is Sep 25 – Oct 12. We offer both the morning and afternoons.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) MAX 2
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 20 - Aug 1
    $400
    This trip isn't designed for any particular species. Typically start off looking for Trout and end the trip looking for more toothy critters. Fish to be potentially caught: Trout, Skamania Steelhead, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bass. Salmon Trips don’t start until late August for the area the captain fishes and way better towards mid to late September. You can fish crawlers under floats, bottom bounce, and cast jigs and body boats for other fish.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip – Summer (PM) MAX 2
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 1:30 PM
    Seasonal trip May 20 - Aug 1
    $400
    This trip isn't designed for any particular species. Typically start off looking for Trout and end the trip looking for more toothy critters. Fish to be potentially caught: Trout, Skamania Steelhead, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, and Bass. Salmon Trips don’t start until late August for the area the captain fishes and they get way better towards mid to late September. You fish crawlers under floats and bottom bouncing and also cast jigs and body boats for other fish.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 30 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip Oct 10 - May 20
    $425
    Looking to test your skills against a challenging fish? Then Steelhead is for you. All you need is a license and warm clothes, as the captain has all the gear you will need. Primetime is late October, November, late February, March, and April.

About the Captain

Dan Stewart
Brethren, Michigan, United States
14 Fishing Reports
ID & License verified
36 Customer Reviews
Response time 12 hours
Member since May 2020
Captain Dan Stewart has been fishing for as long as he can remember. From SE Michigan to NW Michigan, we have a boat for everything. As a result, he knows all the hiding spots for favorites including Steelhead, Chinook, Coho Salmon and walleye throughout the state of Michigan. He'll easily accommodate both experienced anglers and novices and looks forward to giving his guests a welcome escape to nature. You will have such a great time with Captain Dan that you will be booking other trips the rest of the year around the great state of Michigan. My season starts in the Nw for Steelhead. In Mid April I move to the Detroit River for walleye. In May I move to the St Clair river for walleye. When Lake St Clair heats up I move over there. Around Mid June I end the walleye fishing and move back to the Nw chasing a variety of fish. We fish crystal lake and all other inland lakes near by. We are also fishing Lake Michigan for Salmon and Trout. We follow the salmon up river then back to steelhe

About this listing

Targeted Species

Bass (Smallmouth) Smallmouth Bass
Brown Trout Brown Trout
Pike (Northern) Northern Pike
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead) Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)

Salmon (Chinook) Chinook Salmon
Salmon (Coho) Coho Salmon
Walleye Walleye

Boat Specs

Smokercraft (Jet boat) originally built in 2007. Powered by a 60HP Yamaha engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 25 knots.

Length
17 ft
Capacity
3 persons

Types of Fishing

River Fishing

Fishing Techniques

Light Tackle
Spinning
Jigging

Amenities

Trip Includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 30 days prior to trip

Customers can cancel or modify their booking up to 30 days before the trip date free of charge. If the trip is canceled or modified later, or in the event of a no-show, 100% of the deposit will be charged.

Listing Policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Crew Keeps Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
PayPal
Checks
Bank Transfer

Brethren Fishing Calendar

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Customer Reviews

Rating Summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (12)
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 10 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Full day on the Manistee
Full day on the Manistee
Fishing with Dan
+9
Angler Rating
8
1
0
0
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
89%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
90%
Appropriate for children
89%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Catch intended fish
89%
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Showing:
5 of 10 reviews
Carrie Y.
Delta, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hour trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM) on October 15, 2021
My Fiance and I had a wonderful time with captain Dan we have never salmon fished before what a fun enjoyable experience we...
Carrie Y. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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  Dan Stewart Captain replied
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Dan H.
Iron River, WI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day on the Manistee

VERIFIED   8 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM) on October 9, 2021
Captain Dan was professional, hardworking, knowledgeable, and most importantly a great guy. He worked all day to keep us on...
Dan H. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Dan Stewart Captain replied
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Thomas W.
Southgate, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Morning run

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM) on June 22, 2021
Meet up with Dan this morning.  Beautiful day. Dan was great to us too all the fishing holes.  Fishing was tough, but we...
Thomas W. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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  Dan Stewart Captain replied
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Donavon W.
Taylor, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hour trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM) on October 17, 2021
Great Guide and Guy!
Donavon W. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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Donavon W. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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You found this review helpful
Brian A.
Maple Heights, Ohio
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Dan

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip (PM) on June 24, 2021
Brian A. recommends Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River
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  Dan Stewart Captain replied
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FAQs about Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River

Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River offers the following trips to customers:
  • $310 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour – Winter Steelhead (MAX 2) (5 hours)
  • $310 per group, additional $75 per person after 1 guest - 8 Hour Trip–Winter Steelhead (MAX2) (8 hours)
  • $325 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Salmon (11:30AM) (4 hours)
  • $325 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM) (4 hours)
  • $325 per group, additional $75 per person after 2 guests - 4 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM) (4 hours)
  • $325 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (AM) (5 hours)
  • $325 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (PM) (5 hours)
  • $350 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) (5 hours)
  • $350 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 5 Hour Trip – Summer (PM) MAX 2 (5 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM) (6 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 2 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM) (6 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 1 guest - 8 Hour Trip – Salmon (AM) (8 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $100 per person after 1 guest - 8 Hour Trip – Salmon (PM) (8 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Summer (AM) MAX 2 (8 hours)
  • $400 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour Trip – Summer (PM) MAX 2 (8 hours)
  • $425 per group, additional $200 per person after 2 guests - 8 Hour – Steelhead Fall Spring (AM) (8 hours)
Trips booked with Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River offers the following type of fishing:
  • River Fishing
Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
Top targeted fish species with Chromeseekers – Big Manistee River include:
  • Bass (Smallmouth)
  • Brown Trout
  • Pike (Northern)
  • Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Salmon (Coho)
  • Walleye