Muskegon River Steelhead Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – March 31, 2016

Muskegon River Steelhead Fishing Report – Newaygo, MI – March 31, 2016

Steve, from E. Lansing, MI with a great female steelhead caught on the Muskegon river yesterday. Quite the battle…loooonnng runs and 6 trips UNDER the boat !

The Muskegon river near Newaygo, MI is running well above average flows at this time due to the rains that have come through most of Michigan over the last couple days and continues to at the time of the report.  With slowly rising water, we’re seeing more spring steelhead make it in from lake Michigan.  Water conditions are about where they should be from a historical perspective and will likely come up more  as the rains continue.

With both fly fishing and light spin tackle setups, we’re fishing to pre-spawn “staging” fish, which we’re finding in deeper pools and runs around spawning grounds.  With a combination of large, attention grabbing nymphs and smaller minnow patterns, as well as egg imitations in brighter pastel colors, we’re getting into both resident Brown and Rainbow trout, as well as migratory steelhead.

Fly fishing setups include chuck and duck with 9 or 10′ long rods, in 7 & 8 weight, as well as indicator/bobber rigs on longer rods, such as 11′ switch rods in 7 or 8 weight.  Both methods would have tippet in the 8 or 10 # range with present water conditions, maybe drop to 6 & 8 when clarity improves.

With water levels where they’re at now, wade fishing can be very dangerous.  If you head out, be sure to have a walking staff handy and if possible, fish with a friend….or at least try to be around others.

Present water temperature in the 41-42 degree range.