Late fall and early winter are a time of BIG changes on the Muskegon River in West Michigan as the mighty steelhead is the fish most are pursuing. This epic leaper with blazing speed can test the skill of anglers and their equipment. Unlike many other Michigan rivers, the Muskegon River steelhead season goes right through the holidays and pending weather, even through the first week or two of the new year. Being the southernmost river of West Michigan’s “big 3” for fall big game fish (the Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Manistee Rivers), the Muskegon River’s season starts later than others, but also runs much longer. Over the last five years, our best fall steelhead fishing was late November to mid-December.
We are fishing steelhead with both fly fishing and light spin tackle equipment. Fly fishing options include chuck-n-duck, floating line and indicator rigs, as well as fishing streamers with either sinking or sink tip lines. Rods to match the rigs would go something like 9 or 10’ long, 7 or 8 weight rods for both chuck-n-duck and indicator rigs, along with either single- handed 7 or 8 weight rods for casting streamers, or longer rods for spey casting sink tips. Tippet varies a bit with technique; chuck-n-duck and indicator setups would have tippet ranging from 6-8#, you could get away with 10# when water has color to it. Fish typically take swung flies with a vengeance, so heavier tippet in the 15# range is common.
Conventional tackle setups include baitcaster combo’s, such as 10 or 11’, medium action rods for running float/bobber rigs, open face spinning reels matched with similar length rods, also for running floats/bobbers, as well as 9 or 10’ rods, rigged for bottom bouncing. Tippet similar for the most part to fly gear setups, line in the 6-10# range is best.
We also have lake run brown trout that come into the Muskegon on their annual spawning run each year late fall, so another source of eggs comes into the river following the salmon. Bait, such as spawn bags and later in the year, wax worms, will produce fish as well. It’s always a good idea to have a bit of everything when you’re headed out.
With most everything Mother Nature related being a bit delayed this year, the fall and winter steelhead season appears to be following suit and we’re looking forward to some great fishing in December and into the new year. Whether it’s a half-day outing to squeeze one more day of fishing in between work, the holidays, etc., or a full day of fishing with a friend or family member, we have on board heaters blazing when the chilly weather calls for it and some of our best fishing can be this time of year. My “winter special” kicks in come the new year, check online at www.westmichiganflyfishing.com for more details.
Happy Holidays and Good Fishing!