Summertime fishing on the Grand River provides all sorts of opportunities from shore or a boat. The smallmouth bass are biting well on various baits, walleye are on the feed, and the bluegills will keep you busy if you want to catch those.
During July, most of my attention on the river is on the smallmouth bass. These fish are aggressive, fight well, and provide lots of action. I usually have clients fish with light spinning tackle or fly fishing gear. Bait fish imitations, crawfish, spinnerbaits, tubes, and topwater presentations all have their place. Anglers should target rock piles, bridge pilings, or any other structure along the river banks. If you do not have a boat and want to get out and catch some smallmouth put on some shorts and some old shoes and check out one of the dams on the river or hit the tributaries such as the Thornapple or Flat Rivers.
Walleye fishing on the Grand River can be good during July as well. Try trolling crankbaits through the deeper sections of the river, shad raps or flicker shads are good baits to use. Lots of guys fish the lower end of the river downstream from Eastmanville drifting crawlers over the clam beds as well. If the walleye are not cooperating, usually the other fish that are in the system will keep it interesting.
Bluegill fishing is an excellent way to spend a hot July day. Grab the kids, a few rods, and a tub of worms and head to Millennium Park or one of the bayous. Fish a simple bobber rig with a worm on the edge of the weeds. Move around until you find some active fish if you’re not getting bites. Try using 2 or 4lb test and an ultra light rod and have some fun.