REPORT

Muskegon River Fishing Report:

July 16, 2026

Muskegon River Fishing Report:

The Muskegon River is at low summertime levels, maintaining a light stain in many stretches.    The water temps are reaching into the 70s in this hot weather.   Smallmouth bass fishing is available throughout the river system.     Streamers in gray, peach, yellow, and white are all good.   If the streamer bite isn’t happening, crayfish and hellgrammite patterns are a good fallback.   Topwater/popper fishing can be a lot of fun and tends to be good during the low light periods of the hot days.     Patterns in a variety of colors work and it is a good to bring an assortment of flies.   The fish tend to have a preferred color that varies. 

Looking back at 2025, and forward to 2026! 

2025 was a good year on balance.    The fishing conditions were often tough, with low water leading to spooky fish and challenging navigation for much of the year.   Despite these issues, the fish were always around, and great opportunities were always present. 

Of course, no one can predict how the fishing will be in 2026.    These are some notes about our fish going into the new year: 

Steelhead:

Our steelhead fishing this fall was better than I would expect with such low water conditions.    The water was very low all the way into the new year, and soon after we have had heavy melt leading to higher water conditions.   This should add up to a solid spring fishing season for steelhead.    Though some large fish have been available, the typical steelhead are the 5-8 pound fish that are bread and butter fish for this region.  

Trout:  

Whenever the water was cool, trout fishing was solid this past year.   Our brown trout population is thriving and there are some very big fish available.   We also have a nice population of rainbow trout, especially in the areas that have faster or broken water.      Some of our hatches were good in 2025, such as caddis, sulphurs, and Isonychias.    However, the gray drake hatch, which the Muskegon is known for, was not strong this past year.    Hatches are unpredictable, and hopefully the gray drakes rebound in 2025. 

Smallmouth Bass and Pike: 

As summer approaches, smallmouth bass and pike are available throughout the system.   Smallmouth are some of our most reliable, fun fish.   They are abundant in the Muskegon River and throughout West Michigan.     Smallmouth provide explosive strikes on the surface.   They also take streamers without hesitation.   In the Muskegon, look for the most prime fishing for smallmouth to be in June, July, and August.  May and September can often provide great action for these fish as well.  

Species such as northern pike are at their best in the spring and fall, and provide an alternative opportunity if you want something different than the typical fishing at that time of the year.

To book a trip, or to get more information, please email us at info@feenstraguideservice.com.    You can also text or call Kevin at 231.652.3528.  Usually email and text are the best way to arrange a float. 

Please visit our retail site, http://swingabigfly.com.  This site offers autographed copies of Kevin’s two books, Matching Baitish and Matching Warmwater Baitfish.    In addition, you can purchase locally deadly flies, Feenstra Guide Service Swag, and Gift Certificates.    Gifts certificates for guide trips are sure to be a hit with your family members, friends, and coworkers!    

To see a previous program I did with Anchored Outdoors: visit https://anchoredoutdoors.com/live-with-kevin-feenstra-matching-baitfish-patterns-and-techniques/.

Thank You!

Thanks for visiting the Muskegon River Fishing Report!    Interested in seeing more photography?  Check out Kevin’s  instagram feed.    

For bookings, please contact us at info@feenstraguideservice.com.