Muskegon River Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – August 21, 2015

Muskegon River Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – August 21, 2015

Tim, from IN, with a bonus Northern Pike that took a topwater popper on a recent outing.

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is running a bit above average flows at this time due to some moderate-heavy rains that came through northern Michigan in recent days.   The rains gave the upper reaches of the watershed, between Clare and Grayling, a good “drink” that was long overdue.

We are still in pursuit of Smallmouth bass at this time and getting the occasional trout along the way every now and then.  With both fly fishing equipment and light spin tackle gear, we’re fishing both topwater “poppers” and waking flies, as well as subsurface offerings of baitfish and crayfish imitations, as well as and some “attractor” fly patterns .

With cooler nights ahead, shorter days coming and a general “feel” of fall beginning to show, we’ll soon be chasing our annual migrations of  Chinook salmon from late August through September, then fall steelhead from October right up until Christmas on the Muskegon river. 

Fishing to early run salmon on the lower stretches of the Pere Marquette river is a great way to kick off the fall season and nothing…..I mean NOTHING, pulls like a king salmon fresh out of lake Michigan.  These are tackle testing/busting fish that will challenge even the most seasoned anglers.  With heavy braided line, 7-8′, medium action rods and a variety of lures, we cast-retrieve towards known holding areas and reel wobbling crank baits back nice and slow….then wait for the STOP, that turns into a BIG tug and the battle is on.  A lot of fun, something one should try before the end of their fishing career.

The long range forecast at this time shows moderate temperatures up to the end of August and with no significant rains headed our way anytime soon.

Present water temperature in the low 70’s.