Muskegon River Fishing Report – August 20, 2025 – Newaygo, Michigan

The Muskegon river is still providing some pretty good Smallmouth bass fishing for mid August and this should continue for a while based on current short and long range forecasts.

With both fly fishing and conventional equipment setups, we’ve been getting interest in both topwater flies and lures, as well as subsurface offerings of baitfish, crayfish and general “attractor” patterns.

With river temperatures still hovering around the 70 degree mark in the lower stretches of the Muskegon river and upper stretches closer to Croton dam coming in a bit cooler, resident Brown and Rainbow trout fishing could kick back into gear before the onset of the fall Chinook salmon run.

Before we know it though, the “beasts of the big lake” – Chinook Salmon – will be coming into the river on their annual spawning run in a few weeks and we may see some Coho Salmon show up as well. As we approach latter October, river temperatures will play a big role in when the first of our fall steelhead show up on the Muskegon river. Based on last spring’s steelhead spawning run, we should see a good fall run this year and we’re ALL looking forward to that……2023 & 2024 were pretty poor years for Michigan steelhead, but we might be seeing the beginning of that fishery improving.

For any considering getting out on their own for some walk in-wade fishing locally and looking for some insight, feel free to call, text or email me – 616-560-3195. Email – jrbacon@ameritech.net

Lastly, if any are considering a guided outing yet this year, know that as of this updated fishing report, I have 11 open fall dates from the week after Labor Day – December 15….so best to touch base sooner than later !

For now,

Jeff