Muskegon River Fishing Report – October 17, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Muskegon River Fishing Report – October 17, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

The Muskegon river fishing report for October 17, 2020 in the Newaygo, Michigan area is focused on the fall Coho and Chinook salmon run, as well as the fall Steelhead that follow.

We’re into one of the oddest fall salmon runs in recent history, with many fish coming weeks late to rivers that normally see salmon in them much earlier in the fall. The Pere Marquette river “had” the smallest salmon run I have ever seen through mid September, when we would normally find the river with good numbers of fish….but that wasn’t the case….until the 3rd week of September.  After a very poor 2+ weeks of salmon numbers and fishing, the fish finally came in large groups and salvaged what was up to that point, a weak 2020 PM salmon run.  Will other rivers follow suit ?….that has yet to be determined, but the Manistee has bounced back after a slow start and we’re hoping for the same on the Muskegon.

We are in a fall season up to this point on the Muskegon river that finds  the river very low and extremely clear.  We have had very little measurable rain in the upper reaches of the Muskegon river watershed over the past 5+ weeks, which will play a role in salmon migration to some extent, but certainly for fall steelhead as well.  Click HERE for current Muskegon river water flow data.

Mother Nature has us in a headlock of sorts right now, with sporadic bouts of short term rains and nothing of significance in the short or long range forecasts.  Click HERE for current and forecasted weather for the Newaygo, Michigan area.

With both fly fishing and conventional/spin tackle, we’ll be pursuing salmon for another week or two, then into the fall steelhead season through November, December and even early January, pending weather.

For any considering getting out on their own for some walk in-wade fishing on any of our local rivers, feel free to call, text or email for a current report – jrbacon@ameritech.net – 616-560-3195.

Get out, wet a line, bend a rod and best of luck !

Jeff