Muskegon River Fishing Report – November 22, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Muskegon River Fishing Report – November 22, 2020 – Newaygo, Michigan

Grayson came up from Indianapolis to catch a Muskegon river steelhead….and he got a NICE one !!

The Muskegon river fishing report for November 22, 2020 in the Newaygo, Michigan area is focused on the fall and early winter steelhead fishing.

We have steelhead in most all sections of the Muskegon river right now, but no given stretch has them in good numbers.  Due to the low and clear water we’ve had for the better part of the last 3 months, the Muskegon river did not get a large push of steelhead in from lake Michigan at the end of October and early November.  That time of fall is typically when we have just passed peak spawning salmon numbers, which is a big “trigger” to get steelhead moving up river.  We are not alone on the Muskegon river though, most all west Michigan rivers are running lower and much more clear than normal for this time of November.  Click HERE for current Muskegon river water flow data.

All that said, there are some migratory steelhead, as well as resident Brown and Rainbow trout to be caught for those willing to put in the time, cover water and fish each spot thoroughly.  With both fly fishing and spin tackle equipment, we’re targeting those runs that both steelhead and trout are likely to occupy, for this time of fall and present river conditions.

Equipment options for the fly fisher include indicator nymphing, swinging streamers and bottom bouncing – aka “chuck and duck”.  For the conventional tackle angler, choices include bobber/float rigs, casting small lures and bottom bouncing.   Present river conditions require downsizing of everything, from flies, to lures, to bait and tippet.

With very little precipitation in the forecast, we may be in for more of the same river conditions through the end of November and hope that early December comes with some rain -vs- snow to help improve conditions.  Click HERE for current and forecasted weather for the Newaygo, Michigan area.

Present river temperatures in the 45 degree range and flows around 1600 cfs.