Manistee is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 6,586. It is the county seat of Manistee County6. Manistee is locally known as "The Stee". It is said that the name "Manistee" is a Native American word first applied to the principal river of the county. Specifically, it is said it could be interpreted as: 'river at whose mouth there are islands.' But see, Manistee River.Manistee Township is located to the northeast of the city, but is politically separate. The city is located at the mouth of the Manistee River on Lake Michigan.