Muskegon River Fishing Report – May 18, 2022 – Newaygo, Michigan

The Muskegon river fishing report for May 18, 2022 in the Newaygo, Michigan area is about the transition from the spring steelhead run, into prime trout dry fly fishing below Croton dam.

After a good run of above average water levels for most of spring, we’re seeing the river levels drop off quickly and as a result, will warm up faster.  Click HERE for current Muskegon river water flow data.

Since we’re not had much in the line of good rains over the last couple weeks, the river will likely settle in around 2,000 cfs flows for much of the summer.  We do have a chance to get some water back with the short term forecast calling for rains in the days ahead.  Click HERE for current and forecasted weather for the Newaygo, Michigan area.

With the steelhead all but done with their annual spawning run, we now focus on resident Brown and Rainbow trout fishing.  As river temperatures rise, this comes alive as we see insect hatches pick up and trout key in on them, providing the best dry fly fishing of the year.

With 4-6 weight fly rods and 9+’ long leaders tapered down to 3.5 – 5# test, we’ll be fishing caddis, sulphur, blue wing olive, gray drake and isonychia dry flies over the next few weeks.  Cloudy days can produce trout on streamers, fished with 6 or 7 weight rods and sinking or sink tip fly lines and indicator nymphing is always a good option to get nymphs down to trout.

Not far off will be the arrival of more Smallmouth bass into the Muskegon river below Croton dam and they will be the quarry of choice following trout time, which starts later in June and goes through August.

For those already looking ahead to our next big game fish season of fall, know that my September Pere Marquette salmon schedule is full, my October Manistee & Muskegon river salmon schedule is almost full and November and early December fall steelhead schedule is about half full.  If you’re pondering a fall trip, don’t wait too long to touch base about availability.

Good Fishing !

Jeff