Muskegon River Fishing Report – February 6, 2018 – Newaygo, Michigan

Bruce, from NE Indiana, with one of his steelhead from a Super Bowl Sunday outing with friends.

The Muskegon river fishing report for February 6, 2018 in the Newaygo, Michigan area is about the unusual fluctuations in water flows out of Croton dam this winter season.  We typically see “some” changes, but the extent of the flow adjustments from the Consumers Energy leased facility has been much more erratic than normal.  There is NO logical reason for this, so I’m left wondering if the “powers that be” at Consumers are testing new flow adjustment practices ????  All this being said, they haven’t repeated their fish kill dam flow changes from a couple winters ago….at least not yet.  MANY people are scratching their heads over this, from recreational anglers to year round, professional guides making their living on the river, to part and full time residents who have endured some crazy changes to river flows that have affected their property, one way or another.

Eric joined his brother and Bruce on that chilly, Super Sunday and found a very colorful Muskegon river steelhead of his own to tussle with !

On the fishing front, we’re still getting after both resident Brown and Rainbow trout, as well as migratory steelhead that are wintering over in the river.  

With both fly fishing and light spin tackle equipment, we’re targeting known holding spots or “lies” in the river to get our offerings in front of the fish.

The most recent drop in water levels has the river flowing around 1700 cfs, with normal being closer to 2000, but the river is still in good shape at this time.

Recent outings have been COLD, but there are fish to be caught and it’s simply a matter of covering water and fishing “smarter, not harder”……!

Present water temperature is hovering around the 34 degree mark.