Muskegon River Spring Steelhead Fishing Report – April 13, 2015

Muskegon River

Steve, from mid Michigan, with a very “colored up”, male steelhead and full spring colors.

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is running above average flows for this time of April.   It has been gradually dropping over the last 24 hours and coming into the best shape it has been in several days, after heavy rains brought levels up to near “flood stage” a few days ago.  Along with the dropping levels have been rising water temperatures, which will kick the Muskegon river spring steelhead run into high gear over the next 24-48 hours, presuming levels continue to drop.  We have been fighting the “brown water blues” the last couple days, as visibility was less than a foot on Saturday, but did improve both yesterday and today.

Egg fly patterns in pastel colors and medium size, flashy fry patterns have gotten the most attention over the last couple days.    As water temperatures rise and visibility improves, insect activity will increase and black stone fly nymphs, hares ears and  green caddis will get more attention..

We have been catching steelhead and resident Rainbow and Brown trout, with both fly fishing and light spin tackle gear.  Weather often dictates which will be the most effective if conditions are extreme and we’ve had some of that in the past week+ !

Fishing should be rather good….VERY soon !

Present water temperature in the low 40’s.