Muskegon River Spring Steelhead Fishing Report – March 24, 2015

Muskegon River

Muskegon River Steelhead taken on a stripped fly.

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is still running around average flows for this time of early spring.

The spring steelhead run is in progress and we’re slowly getting more fish fresh out of lake Michigan.  After a very warm entry into “spring” which came at us fast with 60+ degree temperatures, beautiful weather, massive snow melt and runoff a couple weeks ago, more typical March conditions have returned.

We are getting into steelhead regularly, just having to work for them more on some days than others.  With both fly fishing and light spin tackle gear, we’re fishing medium current speed runs, with depths in the 6-10′ range.  I did see signs of early spawning fish yesterday, however we’re a ways from prime steelhead spawning time.

Fishing streamers slowly in very specific water is getting some trout and steelhead to chase flies, however with water temperatures in the 35-36 degree range, they’re not going to chase a fly very far.

Fishing egg imitations, small baitfish patterns, black stone fly nymphs and bait under bobbers/indicators is another option for both the fly fisher and spin tackle angler.

With a mix of below, average and above average temperatures over the next week, we’re not going to leap into spring and any stretch.  River traffic has been relatively light the last handful of days.