Muskegon River Fishing Report – July 15, 2016

Muskegon River Fishing Report – July 15, 2016

Vaughn, from SE Michigan, with one of several Smallmouth bass taken while out with “Uncle Bob” on the Muskegon river.

The Muskegon river fishing report for July 15 is all about options….fly fishing or light spin tackle….dry flies, indicator nymphing, topwater poppers or subsurface offerings such as crayfish and baitfish imitations…..Smallmouth bass…Rainbow trout….Brown trout…..Walleye…….Rock bass…..can we identify more ways to fish or fish to catch on the Muskegon river right now ? !!!

As we get into the middle of July, the river finds itself in a state of transition as water temperatures “try” to warm up, but remain unseasonably cool for mid July.  By no means “cold”, but trout rising to dry flies in mid July is something we’re not used to seeing, at least not in the 2+ decades I’ve been guiding full time.  With some cool rains and colder than normal night time temperatures in general over the past near month, water temperatures are settled in around the 67-68 degree mark and will likely stay there for several days based on present forecast.

Jack, from the Detroit, MI area, with a very chunky Smallmouth bass caught while fishing with Uncle Phil and brother Daniel, on a group outing fishing the Muskegon river.

For both the fly fisher and conventional tackle angler, you have choices for equipment, species of fish to pursue and the best times of the day to pursue them.

On any given day, you can have a rising trout to cast to, along with a Smallmouth willing to take topwater and a bass AND trout chasing down the same streamer….all in the same stretch of river !

As water temperatures come up with the warmer ahead, Smallmouth fishing will only get better. 

Present water temperature in the 67-68 degree range noted above.