Muskegon River Fishing Report – June 23, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Muskegon River Fishing Report – June 23, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

David with a nice “topwater” Smallmouth Bass.

The Muskegon river fishing report for June 23, 2020 in the Newaygo, Michigan area covers both the closure of our prime “hatch time” for dry fly fishing opportunities for resident Rainbow and Brown trout, as well as the onset of the Muskegon rivers “second” summer season….smallmouth bass !

After 3 months of unusual weather that found most of Michigan getting some pretty heavy rains, most all river levels have come back down to near normal levels.  As levels drop on the Muskegon river, water temperatures will rise more quickly.  This will determine how long we have good insect activity and related dry fly fishing.  Click HERE for current Muskegon river water flow data, such as past and present flows, water temperature and dissolved oxygen.

It has been a mix of Caddis flies, Sulphurs, Gray Drakes and Isonychia’s as of late for the fly fisher.  All of these bugs have had a pretty reliable “hatch schedule” over the years, but some years are a little different…. and this is one of them !  Due to the overall wet spring and early summer, there are a LOT of bugs and one can see them emerging at times of the day that are not “typical” from a historical perspective.  Gray Drakes out at 8 am….flights lasting for a number of hours and bugs mating/falling.  Yes, some morning flights have happened as long as I can remember, but not like this.  Sulphur hatches starting around noon or so ?…..Caddis emerging from 8 am – late afternoon on some days ??   And an Isonychia popping off here and there around mid day ????  In other words, if you’re going out, have a selection of these flies !

All that being said, the Smallmouth bass fishing has already kicked into gear.  After several trips targeting trout and/or bass,  we’ve had some pretty good fishing for smally’s already.  Both topwater and subsurface, at certain times of the day, will produce fish.  With either fly fishing or light spin tackle, we’re casting similar “offerings” that often get the attention of both resident trout and bass, along with the occasional Walleye.

With some fairly tame looking weather in the forecast, we should see the Muskegon river settle into consistent flows and hopefully with water temperatures that begin to flatten out a bit before we got to the end of the month.  Click HERE for current and forecasted weather, for the Newaygo, Michigan  area.

I have a summer special called “Kids-N-Fish”, which runs in July and August for one adult and youth 16 and under, for a half day, at a discounted rate.  This can be with either fly fishing or light spin tackle equipment and a second youth CAN be added for an additional charge.  Click HERE to learn more about Kids-N-Fish and other seasonal specials.

The Muskegon river is in good shape overall, after having run high and a bit cool, for a few weeks longer than normal this year.  Mother Nature is on full display as well, with regular Osprey, Bald Eagle, Red Tail Hawk sightings, along with some Mink, Muskrat, Whitetail deer and all kinds of song birds filling the air with their music !  I  hope you have a chance to get outside and enjoy this very special time of the year on the river.

Present water flows are in the 2100 cfs range and water temperature in the upper 60’s.