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There are as many "steelhead and salmon likely" runs,
riffles, and pools as there are quiet dry fly pools.
Steelhead can be found in the river anytime from October
through late May. In the fall they are in the river to
feed and can be extremely aggressive eating almost anything
that passes them. Egg patterns and woolly buggers are
the most popular in the fall and early winter along with
spey and wet flies. Late winter and early spring is time
for fishing lighter leaders with smaller egg patterns
and nymphs. The fish at this time are a little less aggressive
and will not chase flies like they will in the fall.
Late spring is a great time for steelhead fishing also.
The fish are fairly aggressive although they can be very
selective. Fishing very small nymphs with light leaders
is often necessary at this time. Heavy runs of steelhead
can enter in the spring in preparation to spawn on the
river's many gravel runs. Salmon enter the river in late
September and can be in the river till mid November.
As in all fisheries, please check the Special
Regulations before you fish.
Hatches on the Muskegon include a variety of mayflies,
stoneflies, and caddis. During the spring and summer
surface floating insects get inhaled by the river's
population of resident trout. It has even been said
by some anglers that late spring steelhead will rise
to some of the river's hatches. Some of the Muskegons
mayflies include Gray Drakes, Blue-winged Olives, Isonycias,
and sulphurs. Caddis include a variety of species and
sizes. Little blacks are the predominant species of
stoneflies.
The best way to cover the water on this mighty river
is by boat. This will enable you to get to the pools
and runs inaccessible to wade fishers. Wade anglers
do catch a good share of fish at different access areas
along the way, a couple of which are found at Thornapple
Avenue on the south side of the river and at Pine Avenue
on the north side, both a short distance below the
dam.
The Muskegon River is a beautiful and mighty river.
The opportunities the river provides, with tremendous
runs of steelhead and salmon along with its quality
population of resident trout and diversity of hatches,
are nearly unmatched. Only its neighbors, the Pere
Marquette and the Manistee, have equal diversity. |
