Muskegon River Fishing Report – May 31, 2018 – Newaygo, Michigan

Muskegon River Fishing Report – May 31, 2018 – Newaygo, Michigan

Bluegills on light fly rods….what fun !!

The Muskegon river fishing report for May 31, 2018 in Newaygo, Michigan is about the unseasonably HOT weather most of the Midwest has seen over the past week.  With record temperatures in the mid 90’s for several days, the rivers of Michigan are warming up quick and insect activity is kicking into high gear !

This is prime time for the dry fly fisher, as several bugs emerge throughout the day and evening, providing the best dry fly fishing of the year on the Muskegon river.

Resident Brown and Rainbow trout are feeding on Caddis, Sulphurs, Gray Drakes and BWO’s on certain mornings.

With 4-6 weight fly rods and using 9-10′ leaders tapered down to 5  or 6 x (3.5 – 5 pound test), trout can be found taking emergers, adults and spinners.  Caddis will be the first bugs to come off mid to late afternoon, followed by Sulphurs, then Drakes.

Fishing salmon fry or small baitfish patterns on either long leaders or with very light sink tips, will also get trout to take.  

Not to be left out and certainly up next on our list of summer fish to pursue, Smallmouth bass are also becoming very active and this will only improve with rising water temperatures.

The plight of our hatches and dry fly fishing is unknown, as we rapidly went through upper 50’s and low 60’s water temperatures, which we historically see stick around for more than a week-10 days come late spring !…..however, consecutive days of record high air temperatures has altered that this year.

Present water levels are around normal flows for this time of late spring, click HERE for present Muskegon river water conditions in the Croton, Michigan area.

With such uncertain weather as of late, it’s best to get a current forecast if you’re heading out to the river.  Click HERE for a current forecast for Muskegon.

Present water temperature in the 64-65 degree range.