Muskegon River Spring Steelhead Report – Croton Dam – (231) 519-7348

Muskegon River Spring Steelhead

Fully Guided Spring Steelhead Trips for Michigan Rivers. Full Day Trips ( 8 hours) $395 Half Day Guided Fishing Tours (4 hours) $295

** All Gear, Tackle, Rods, Reels, Fishing Cleaning Provided** Super Prime Spring Steelhead Dates & Half days available for Muskegon River.

Steelhead fishing has been incredible. The main push of steelhead is here now during May. Water temperatures are equivalent of April 20th. Steelhead is way behind schedule and fishing is great. Our main focus has been sight fly fishing for steelhead on gravel. River water has been gin clear therefore sight fishing has been excellent. Good pockets of fish in the upper Muskegon River near the Croton Dam. Similarly, Mid section above Pine St has been doing well. Temperature and clarity is very good. Best Steelhead flies have been brown pheasant tail nymphs, salmon fry patterns, sack fry, olive hares ears nymphs. Small egg patterns are also working well. Apricot, Steelhead orange, Oregon Cheese, and golden nugget, all working well in #8, or #10’s. Consequently, Steelhead Egg Flies Fishing should remain great for the nest 10 days or more.

Open May Steelhead Dates

After May 15th, guided steelhead trips are $395 for the full day. Half day afternoon trips are $295 for 4.5 hrs of steelhead fishing.

George with a beautiful hen. Spring Steelhead are just beginning to spawn. May will be very good with lots of steelhead well into June this year.
Jordan with a giant buck steelhead. Double digit days just starting to rock! Spring steelhead just now beginning to spawn.

Two Steelhead on at a time! Yes, It’s about to be really really good fishing! New steelhead still coming in from Lake Michigan.
These steelhead have been gorgeous! Spring has been a month behind with very cold water temperatures hence fishing is just now getting good !

Open May Steelhead Dates:

After May 15th, guided steelhead trips are $396 for the full day. Half day afternoon trips are $295 for 4.5 hrs of steelhead fishing.

If you’re sitting in your office cubicle, bored, or sitting at home, NOW is the time to get out of the house and fish! May Steelhead dates are filling quickly. We are only offering the $295 half day Spring special until May 15th.

Water temperatures are still very cold! 44 degrees. We are landing at least one steelhead per hour on the Muskegon. It’s a great time to be on the water with little angling pressure and lots of fish. Fishing has been excellent with last week’s high water which shuffled the deck and brought in lots of new steelhead from the lower river. Likewise, Spring Chromers coming in from the lake with more to come!

It’s nearly May 5th and over 90% of the Michigan Spring Steelhead migration has not even begun to spawn. Similarly, all of the spawning hen steelhead have not spawned yet. Fly fishing for steelhead is phenomenal right now! If you seen the weather pattern for the past month, you’d swear it was March at best which makes this year’s spring steelhead feel the same way!

Water temperatures are just barely in the 40’s with the vast majority of the steelhead not even ready to spawn. Gravel fishing over the past couple days has been PHENOMINAL! Double digit days have been the norm with the weather finally warming up, and water levels dropping to a perfect level. The drop has made for some very good fly fishing! Visibly sight fishing for steelhead on gravel is probably some of the best steelhead fishing you’ll ever experience. Watching a fish take your bead or fly. Exhilarating!!

Best Steelhead tips and techniques

 Right now, free style nymphing for steelhead has been our best bet for numbers of steelhead. Trout beads and small black stone flies, salmon fry patterns, or green PM Caddis have all been working well. Sight fishing to spawning steelhead on gravel has been very effective. Long leaders and quality drifts has been the key to success. Running lines with a small amount of weight, and a two fly rig, or one trout bead with a stone fly dropper.

How To Catch More Trout

Bobber fishing on spinning tackle has also been effective. Very small spawn sacks in natural colors have been the best for both trout and spring steelhead. Brown trout have also been very active around spawning steelhead. Look for big numbers of steelhead during May this year. Steelhead are now just getting started and should go well into June this year.

Super Prime Spring Steelhead Dates & Half days available. Text to book >>> (231) 519-7348

Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports ~ Salmon Trips

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We are now heading into peak week for salmon on the Big Manistee River. Lots and lots of salmon everywhere on the Big Manistee River. Good numbers of larger, King Salmon this season with a decent amount of Coho as well. . Much larger average size this year. We are also starting to land a few steelhead each day. Also hitting a few Lake Trout below the coffer at Tippy Dam.

Salmon fishing is going strong on the Big Manistee and Muskegon Rivers in Michigan. Good catches of Salmon, Trout, and Steelhead.

Good numbers of King Salmon on the Big Manistee River. Michigan King Salmon Guides.

Go big or go home!! John landed this beast – His first Michigan, Pere Marquette River Salmon!!

Floats & Skein on the Big Manistee River. Salmon fishing up North has been excellent! Tippy Dam Salmon Fishing – Guided Salmon.

Nothing beats working for it! In a sea full of salmon, nothing is better than finding the dime piece!! New Steelhead starting to show up!

Tippy Dam salmon are rockin in full tilt!! Good numbers of both King and Coho Salmon. Lots of fish with lots more coming.

We are starting to see big numbers of both King Salmon, and Coho Salmon on the Big Manistee and Pere Marquette Rivers. Michigan Salmon Fishing is in full swing now!

King and Coho Salmon are excellent table fare. We allow our clients to keep a limit of salmon per day. (5) Salmon per angler on the Manistee River.

October 11th – Michigan Salmon Fishing Report – Big Manistee River & Muskegon River

Big Manistee River: Tippy Dam is now starting to have good numbers of both King and Coho Salmon. Big numbers of Coho above the coffer at Tippy. A few of the salmon are beginning to hit gravel and spawn. Things are running behind schedule with the heat last week. Look for peak salmon season in mid to late October this year. Fishing is now just starting to get good!

Some of the creek mouths have good numbers of Coho salmon. Manistee River has been hit or miss with big pushes of fish moving through at times. Water levels are great right now for good salmon movement. Crank bait fishing (Thunder sticks) has been consistently good during the mornings. Skein fishing behind log jams has been good during the day. Red and pink producing the most fish. Some Steelhead also beginning to come in near Insta Launch.

Pere Marquette River Salmon: Most of the numbers of King Salmon have moved into the Upper Pere Marquette River- “Flies Only” Section. Incredible numbers of fish in the holes, with spawning salmon on gravel. Taylor Road, Upper to Walhalla, Barothy’s, and Rainbow Rapids to Sulac is loaded with salmon. Upper and Lower flies only water is also fishing very well. Stone flies, eggs patterns, leeches, and fry patterns are all producing fish. White / Chartreuse streamers in the morning.

Muskegon River Salmon Fishing Report:(10/11) Cooler water temperatures and rain has helped bring in more salmon to the Muskegon River. Pods of fish are finally starting to move. A big push finally moved through Muskegon River and entered the river. There was a slight concentration above Thornapple in the “Pipe hole”, and a small pocket below the clay banks near Boat house. End of story, not much going on. Water temperature is still in the low 70’s. Too warm for salmon. Maybe a week or so and cold nights may bring up a few more Muskegon River salmon. I wouldn’t expect fishable numbers of salmon until mid October.

Here are our open Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates for the Manistee River (Below Tippy Dam) or the Muskegon River (Near Newaygo). Guided Salmon Trips are all Inclusive, Includes all the gear, tackle, rods, reels that you may need. Heck, We’ll even clean your salmon for you!

It’s should be an outstanding season with some really large fish this year. We are also expecting massive Coho Salmon migration later October, on the Big Manistee River – Fall Salmon Season.
Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports.

Full Day (8 hr Day) $395 ~ Half Day (4.5hrs) $295 (Two Anglers) ~ Text to Book>> (231) 519-7348 ​

Jigging. Casting. Float Fishing. We are gettin’ em!! Michigan Salmon Guides.

Good Numbers of Michigan King Salmon in the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and the Big Manistee River. Michigan Salmon Fishing.

Salmon trips have been going well. Good numbers of salmon so far and they are huge this year!! If you get one, it will be big!! Scattered shots of salmon pushing in from the Lake. Both Pere Marquette Lake and Manistee Lake are starting to fill in. We are doing both jigging trips, and floats and skein for King Salmon in Michigan.

Lake Michigan’s water temperature in Ludington last night was 47.6 degrees. Definitely a lake flip to bring in fresh salmon into the Pere Marquette River. This is our second big Push of Kings to happen before Labor Day.

Trickle charge of salmon entering Pere Marquette Lake and River. Manistee Lake is also starting to load up. Michigan Salmon are large this year, I’ve heard of several 30 lb King Salmon landed off Manistee. It’s about to bust lose! Here are our available Michigan salmon fishing dates listed below.

ALL INCLUSIVE GUIDED SALMON FISHING>> $395 full day.
(8 hrs) $295 half day. (4.5hrs)

Thomas with a gorgeous salmon from the Pere Marquette River mouth in Ludington.

Starting to see good numbers of salmon in Pere Marquette Lake. Some salmon are entering the river. Early Season King Salmon.

Salmon are lots of fun! Good numbers starting to enter the rivers. Michigan Salmon Fishing. Pere Marquette Lake and Manistee Lake have good numbers of fresh King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Skamania Steelhead, Lake Trout, and Fall Steelhead. Fishing Should be excellent this fall.

This year class of Salmon are in very good condition. Fat and healthy. Great table fare for sure!

Michigan King Salmon on the brain!

Michigan Salmon Fishing Dates available for the Pere Marquette, Muskegon, and Big Manistee Rivers. ($395 / 2 anglers) All inclusive guided Michigan Salmon Fishing River Trips.

Michigan Salmon Fishing Guides – We’re very excited about the up coming 2018 Fall Salmon Season on the Pere Marquette and Big Manistee Rivers. We have a limited, 5 guide boats available for salmon fishing.

Guided Salmon Trips are $395. Half days are $295. Per two anglers.

** A third angler may be added to any trip for an additional $100. (Two angler fish at a time)

It’s should be an outstanding season with some really large fish this year. We are also expecting a massive Coho Salmon migration on the Big Manistee River – Fall Salmon Season. Michigan Salmon Fishing Reports.

Text to book (231) 519-7348 or Book Now!

Bobbers & Skein on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Rockin those big Kings!

Skein Ballin’ the Lower Pere Marquette River.
One of our most popular guided fishing trips is fishing King Salmon on the Lower Pere Marquette River. Drifting Skein (Fresh Salmon Eggs) From Indian Bridge to Scottville is a very productive method of salmon fishing. Bait Casters, Center pinning, or spin fishing works very well. King Salmon actually BITE salmon eggs under a float!! (Yes, I said bite salmon eggs) Salmon bite skein like a blue gill, followed by a hook set that sounds like a Muzzy broad head through a rib cage. No holds barred – Hand to hand combat with Michigan’s King Salmon. The Woodland Chinook of the Pere Marquette River.

Michigan Trout – Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guides – Muskegon River (231) 519-7348

Michigan Fishing Reports for Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Manistee Rivers.

Please Check out our Michigan fishing reports for local rivers.
Evening Hatch Master Special $250 / 4.5 hours ~ Morning Light Tackle $250 / 4.5 hours
Full day guided fly fishing $395 / 8 hours. Guided trout trips are all inclusive. All gear, tackle, flies, lures, rods reels all included. (*Lunch is not provided) Book Now >>> (231) 519-7348

King Salmon: Starting to see a good number of King Salmon on the Little Manistee River. Lower Pere Marquette River has a few also. Salmon Season is just around the corner. PM & Manistee River trips available.

Trout: Trout fishing is going well. Water levels on the Muskegon River are back to normal. Creek mouths have been holding good numbers of trout. Croton Dam to Pine St is also fishing well. Jade & Cinnamon Caddis emergers

Smallmouth Bass: Smallmouth Bass fishing has been EXCELLENT. Good numbers throughout the river system. Morning and mid day fishing very well. Also seeing a few walleye each trip. Soft plastics fishing well.

Michigan Trout and Smallmouth Bass fishing guides for the Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee Rivers. All Inclusive guided Light Tackle Spinning or Fly Fishing Trips. Book Now >>> (231) 519-7348

Trout fishing remains strong in the upper river below Croton Dam. Caddis emergence each evening. Salmon, Steelhead and Sucker fry also fishing well for trout.

Beat the Heat! Hot Weather makes for great Smallmouth fishing. Great Kid’s trips!

Salmon parr, Steelhead fry, and Sucker fry are making up the bulk of the trout diet right now. Millions of minnows along the shore line. Fish key on fry this time of year.

Fry is the name of the game right now! Salmon parr, Steelhead fry, and Sucker fry are all along the shore line at this point. Any shade pocket against the shore line is loaded with minnows or fry. Chinook Salmon parr, Steelhead fry, and Sucker fry are making up the bulk of the trout diet right now. Both Smallmouth Bass and Muskegon River Trout are gorging on fry at this time. Sink tip fly lines with fry patterns are working well. Big numbers of trout in the upper river below Croton Dam. Smallmouth Bass are through out the main river. Crank baits and spinners are also working well.

Dry fly fishing for trout has also been very good. Gray Drake linger in the upper river below Croton Dam. Caddis and Caddis emergence every evening from 7pm – dark. Isonychia and light Cahills in the mid section – Thornapple to Henning Park. Smallmouth Bass on the fly has also been excellent. Large poppers and streamers are working best for big bronze backs! Book Now >>> (231) 519-7348

Ed, 90 years young, displays a gorgeous Michigan Brown Trout caught on a sucker spawn imitation.

John with a huge Muskegon River Brown Trout. Much larger fish this season! Great Michigan Trout Fishing.

Michigan Trout fishing has been phenomenal on the Muskegon River. Hot and humid weather has the bugs popping big time! Caddis and caddis emergers are now taking center stage. Most activity occurs in the evenings, after 7pm. Gray Drake spinner falls are still available, offering some trophy fish taking dries.
Sucker spawn by day – Hatches during the evening. What a time to be on the water!

Red Horse Sucker Spawn provides a great meal for larger Muskegon River Trout. Trout gorge on sucker spawn in Michigan Rivers.

During the Michigan Sucker Spawn many nymphs, larvae, steelhead fry, Salmon fry, and sucker eggs are dislodged – Trout feed heavily on these food sources.

Our main focus now is Michigan Trout fishing. The river is at a nice level and clear with water temps in the 50s. Large numbers of salmon, steelhead, and sucker fry are present against the shoreline. Sulphurs, Gray Drake, and Caddis are the prime hatches now. Red Horse Suckers are also starting to load up which should make for outstanding trout fishing. Muskegon River Trout feed heavily on the eggs of the spawning Red Horse Suckers. The native fish provide a staple food source for our resident Brown and Rainbow trout.
Trout on the Muskegon River have been feeding heavily on the numerous insect hatches going on right now. The most prolific are the cinnamon sedge Caddis and the Gray Drake. These hatches take place in the afternoon and evenings. The Gray Drake spinner fall takes place right at dusk. These hatches offer some of the best trout fishing in Michigan. Gray Drake spinner fall at dusk.

Sturgeon sightings are beginning to become common on the Muskegon River. These gentle giants glide next to the boat while trout fishing. Exciting to see!

Over the past several days, Muskegon River Trout fishing has been going great! We’ve been finding larger, hold over trout daily. At least one 20″ plus trout on just about each guided trip. Seems to be good numbers feeding on the sucker spawn. This trend should continue for the next 10 days or so. Trout on the Muskegon River have been feeding heavily on the numerous insect hatches going on right now. The most prolific are the Cinnamon Sedge Caddis and the Gray Drake spinner fall. These hatches take place in the afternoon and evenings.

Hopefully the first of many. Mike with a beast of a brown trout. Streamer fishing has been hot!

Michigan Trout Fishing – Ashallie displays a gorgeous Brown trout while nymphing with sucker spawn.

Fishing Notes for Today: Heavy Gray Drake Spinner Fall this Morning around Pine St.
Suckers Spawning big time. yellow egg patterns. Heavy Gray Drake spinner fall this evening. 9:30pm
Size #10 – Gray Drake Spinner dry fly or rusty dun dry flies.

Trout fishing in Michigan is in full swing! With a cooler than normal spring, the Muskegon River Trout Fishing is just starting. There continues to be small pockets of Steelhead available through May. Water temperatures are starting to climb into the low 50’s. Dry Fly hatches such as adult Stone flies, Gray Drake, and Sulphers will begin to play a key role in the trout’s diet. May and June offer high growth rates for trout, and a smorgasbord of feeding options. Michigan Trout fishing is certainly best during May and June.
Water is clear. Wading is available. Trout fishing is excellent.

Coming soon, Muskegon River Sucker Spawn “Hatch”. Less than one week away! Thousands of Red Horse Suckers ascent into the upper sections of the Muskegon River. Large Brown Trout follow these suckers and when the sucker spawn begins, trophy Brown Trout gorge on sucker eggs. Trout also key on nymphs dislodged by suckers actively spawning. The Muskegon River Sucker Spawn offers clients a chance at true trophy Brown Trout (over 25″) Big Brown Trout feed recklessly during the sucker spawn, and can be sight fished while fly fishing. Casting to specific trophy trout can certainly be exhilarating!
Sucker Spawn Trout Video

Chinook Salmon & Steelhead Fry also play a huge part in the trout’s diet this time of year. Trout take advantage of the millions of fry along the shoreline of the Muskegon River. Any shade pockets along the river are loaded with salmon and steelhead fry making for easy prey for larger trout. Mallard flank fry patterns stripped along soft water near shore offer consistent trout fishing. Fly Fishing with light sink tip fly lines, (Rio DC 150 gr) against the bank works well. Usually the softer pockets hold fish.

Michigan Dry Fly Fishing – As the water temperatures finally warm into the mid 50’s, dry fly hatches are key. Right now, adult stone flies can be seen during the afternoon. Trout feeding on stone flies are easy to see. Big, splashy rises are common for trout feeding on stone flies. Gray Drakes, Sulphers, and Isonychia should begin to pick up in late May, and early June. The Muskegon River boasts the largest Gray Drake spinner fall in the Mid West! Huge clouds of drake spinner fall at dusk.
How To Catch More Trout

Manistee River Trout Fishing – Casey displays a fat and healthy Brown Trout – Tippy Dam Trout

Fat and sassy Rainbow Trout are common on the Muskegon River. Trout fishing is excellent during May & June.

We offer three guided fishing trips for Muskegon River and Manistee River Trout Fishing.

Half Day morning – Light Spinning Tackle trips. These trips are fast paced with lots of trout caught, with a chance at steelhead and trophy Brown Trout. Numbers trout are caught on these trips. We cast small crank baits, spinners, and body baits. It’s a great trip for kids, offering constant activity. ($250 -4.5 hrs)

“Hatch Masters” Evening Dry Fly Fishing – Instructional Casting. Guided half day afternoon trips that fish well into the evening. Dry fly fishing, nymphing, and sucker spawn fishing. These trips offer shots at trophy trout during the sucker spawn, and big fish on dry flies! Half day trout usually begin around 4:30pm. All gear tackle, and flies provided at no additional charge. ($250 – 4.5 hrs)

Full Day Guided Fly Fishing Adventures. Instructional Casting, Dry Fly Fishing, Nymphing with shots at larger fish during the Sucker Spawn, or on dry flies. Streamer fishing can also be excellent. ($350 – 2pm – dark) All gear, tackle, and flies provided at no extra charge.