October is about the best time to catch a variety of cold water species on the Grand River. You have steelhead, king salmon, coho, brown trout, and a few lake trout making their way up the river. You can catch these species from Grand Haven all the way up to Lansing, but most of the action takes place near the 6th Street Dam where the migration is halted until the salmon and trout can find their way through the fish ladder. The tributaries of the Grand River such as the Rogue River and Prairie Creek can have some good fishing for those who like to fish smaller water.
A variety of techniques can be effective to catch the salmon and trout heading up the Grand River. Throwing spinners, spoons, and crankbaits is a productive way to find aggressive fish, cast your lure into the deeper runs and swing it or reel it in and hold on. Bobber or float fishing has gained popularity over recent years, you can use spawn, jigs, wax worms, beads, flies, crawlers, etc. under your floats and catch fish. Fly fishing is a popular way to go, swing streamers that mimic bait fish or indicator fish egg patterns and nymphs. Drift fishing spawn or egg patterns is another great way to hook into fish.