Muskegon River Fishing Report – May 19, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Muskegon River Fishing Report – May 19, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Some of the results of my “down time” fly box re-organization….Smallmouth bass “topwater treats” awaiting there turn come early July !

The Muskegon river fishing report for May 19, 2020 in the Newaygo, Michigan area is about the massive rains that came through much of Michigan in the last 2+ days and the very high levels on the Muskegon river.   With the river having dropped considerably in the previous week+, the rains were much needed, but not quite this much !  Click HERE for current Muskegon river water flow data.

With the passing of this weather front and the rains that came with it, it appears as though we’re done with significant rain showers for several days, but the present forecast for the Memorial Day weekend does show a chance of more showers on Saturday and Sunday.  All that said, the weather fronts that come across lake Michigan at this time of late spring can change considerably overnight.  Click HERE for current and forecasted weather for the Newaygo, Michigan area.

Once the river calms down a bit, we’ll be able to resume targeting the resident Brown and Rainbow trout, who have a combination of loose eggs  and nymphs from the spawning activities of Redhorse suckers, as well as early Caddis fly hatches to target as food sources.

Streamer fishing could be pretty good through the middle to end of next week, however river levels should start to drop by this weekend, so how quickly it does drop will impact the streamer fishing.

With river temperatures having tapered off over the last few days due to cool and wet weather, it has settled in the 52-53 degree range, but will surely go up with the warm and sunny days ahead.

The insect hatch schedule should go as follows over the next week-10 days;

Cinnamon Caddis -#16- will be coming out in good numbers soon, with mid-late afternoon finding the caddis starting to emerge and trout keying in on them during their rather lengthy emergence from swimming nymph, to flying adult.

Next will be #14 Sulphurs and #12 Gray Drakes, which often come out around the same time, as river temperatures get into the mid to upper 50’s.  Not far behind the Gray Drakes, we’ll see #10 Isonychias and fishing the emerging nymph of this pattern can produce some viscous strikes !

Should anyone want an up to date report on the Muskegon or other west Michigan rivers to do some walk in/wade fishing once river levels calm down, don’t hesitate to call or email me.  Phone is 616-560-3195 and email – jrbacon@ameritech.net

Good fishing !

F