Muskegon River Fishing Report – July 1, 2017 – Newaygo, MI

Muskegon River Fishing Report – July 1, 2017 – Newaygo, MI

It’s Dad with son Carter and a nice Muskegon river Smallmouth bass !

The Muskegon river fishing report for July 1, 2017 in the Newaygo, MI area is still about the high water levels that we’ve seen for the past week+.   This is due to the heavy rains came through Michigan a week ago last Thursday, which brought all west MI rivers up, some near flood stage.

This unusually high water for this time of summer, coupled with some cooler nights over the past week, has the river struggling to get out of good trout conditions and into better smallmouth bass fishing.  Water temperatures are still pretty good for trout, however those looking for any dry fly fishing, will have a struggle finding fish feeding on the surface, as most of our primary insect hatches have come and gone.  We are still seeing some Efron’s, a few Isonychia’s and on cloudy days, some BWO’s.

Smallmouth bass numbers are increasing and should continue to do so in the weeks ahead.  On days that we have targeted them, we’ve been able to get fish on both topwater poppers or waking flies/lures, as well as subsurface imitations of baitfish, crayfish and general attractor patterns.

With both fly fishing and light spin tackle equipment, I will be in pursuit of Smallmouth bass, Northern Pike and Walleye, in stretches of the Muskegon river that hold them, as well as other rivers such as the Grand river in/around Grand Rapids, once it comes down in level and visibility improves.

Present flows are in the 3,000 cfs range, normal for this time of early July around 1,600.

Present water temperature in the 65 degree range.