November 11, 2016

Year-round review for fishing in West Michigan

Year-round review for fishing in West Michigan.

We are here because of our year-round fisheries. In both the Rogue River and Muskegon River you can fly fish year-round. These rivers offer not only trout, but steelhead, Pacific salmon, smallmouth bass, northern pike and more.

Below is a monthly synopsis:

January: Winter fishing for trout and steelhead, primarily nymphing.

February: Winter fishing for trout and steelhead, primarily nymphing.

March: runs of steelhead start to pick up, nymphing is most popular, but swing fly season begins in March.

April: Steelhead are here and trout are active as well. The first hatches of the year begin.

May: the dry fly game is in full force.

June: More insect hatching and the fish are looking up. Big bug time, drakes and hexes.

July: As our waters warm, the smallmouth become active.

August: Smallmouth, both with popping bugs and streamers is the best bet, but the white fly ephrons begin hatching in the later part of the month.

September: Pacific salmon or trout, you choose. Some great dry fly fishing this time of the year.

October: Steelhead are arriving and these fall fish are the year’s best. Trout fishing continues with streamers and small dry flies.

November: The Steelhead game continues, as does trout fishing.

December: Steelhead and trout are both viable options.