Muskegon River Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – August 14, 2015

Muskegon River Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – August 14, 2015

Tim, with a surprise Northern Pike that took a topwater fly on a recent outing.

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is flowing a little below average levels at this time as we get into the heart of the “dog days of summer”.  Funny saying that in some regards, as we just got into true “summer” weather a couple weeks ago.

The fish providing the most action and higher catch rates right now, are Smallmouth bass.  Although some resident Brown and Rainbow trout are being caught randomly while fishing for bass with subsurface imitations of crayfish and baitfish, Smallmouth are more active than trout when water temperatures get into the low 70’s.  

Jack, from SE Michigan, with one of several Smallmouth bass caught while fishing with Daniel and “Uncle Phil”….thanks Uncle Phil !

We are fishing them with both fly fishing and light spin tackle gear, so accommodating anglers with differing experience levels and personal interests, is quite easy. 

Fly fishing setups would be 5-7 weight rods, in 8-9+’ length, with floating line for topwater poppers and waking flies, along with a 10-15′ sink tip, with a slow to medium sink rate (1-2″/sec).  Tippet can vary with topwater -vs- streamers, but 8# tippet (preferably fluorocarbon for real clear water) is a safe bet.  Light spin tackle setups are 6-7′, med/light action rods, with open face spinning reels and either straight 8# test line, or 15# braided line, with a 3-4′ piece of 8# fluorocarbon tied off the end of that.

The general theme for subsurface offerings is crayfish + baitfish = fish !  A majority of the diet for a Muskegon river Smallmouth bass will be those two delectable treats !

As we come into the last half of August, we’ll still have some quality fishing up until I begin my early run Chinook salmon trips on the lower Pere Marquette river east of Ludington in late August and early September.  If you’ve never tangled with one of these, they are BY FAR the wildest battle with a fresh water fish, found almost anywhere on earth.  Think smaller river, with obstacles to fish and fight fish around, with 7-8′ rods and reels spooled with 40# braid….yes, 40 # and you’ll need ALL of that !

Present water temperature on the Muskegon river is in the low 70’s.