Spring Steelhead & Rainbow Trout in West Michigan.

As the ice begins to melt, and the early morning sun warms the air, our thoughts drift into one direction, chrome bullet early Spring Steelhead in the rivers of Western Michigan. 

Dream streams like the Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, White, and the Muskegon River start to swell, and flows increase with the melt snow.  Temperatures begin to warm, drawing anadromous Rainbow Trout - Little Manistee Strain Steelhead, into the mouth of these great rivers.  Longer days, and moon phases draw steelhead into these rivers like a magnet. 

For steelhead fishing anglers in the mid-west, late February, March, and April offer some of the best fishing available for migratory species.  Covering many miles of river each day, steelhead are on a mission!



During the Spring, Steelhead crave stone flies! 

 

Primary Food Sources:  Steelhead crave Stone Flies & Eggs

 

Most steelhead food sources are broke into three groups, insect nymphs, eggs, and opportunity feed...

Examples of the prevalent nymphs are hex nymphs, stone fly nymphs, midge larvae, and green caddis larvae.  These nymphs and very common in Michigan rivers, therefore provide the bulk of their food source. Anglers can score steelhead and trout big time when fishing representative flies. Steelhead are especially selective towards small black stones flies in early spring.  Huge masses of stones climb onto the shore line.  Steelhead gorge on the these during mid day and afternoon.

 

 Naturally occurring eggs supplies are not as common in the early spring, however, they are like crack to steelhead! They are loaded with protein and an easy meal.  There are is almost always something spawning during the spring.  Whether it's late Fall Steelhead spawning early, Skamania Steelhead, or late season Brown trout, eggs can be available.  Egg patterns, and trout beads represent eggs very well. Keep your colors natural and should hit some fish!

 

 Steelhead love eggs above all others! 

 

Opportunity foods for Steelhead consist of less common items, suck as minnows, crayfish, leaches, basic foods that aren't as common or require more energy to catch.  Many of the sources can be replicated with the swung fly. Steelhead and trout that take these foods are usually more aggressive so big swung work well.  Focus your energy casting or swinging against the bank or drop ledges. 

Most opportunity foods are within ten feet of the banks or shoreline. 

 

Baitfish such as Goby and great opportunity foods for steelhead.

 Thinking about food sources for steelhead and trout, they can help and score big time! 

Use flies or baits that are small and offer a realistic approach to the food the fish are keyed up on.  



Muskegon River Fishing Reports

Sucker Spawn & Steelhead Fry. Trout gorge this time of year!

Since 1996, Betts Guide Service, in Newaygo, Michigan has provided anglers with the best in Muskegon River Fly Fishing. With an excellent team of professional fly fishing guides, our staff pride themselves in offering the very best in guided Steelhead fishing, lodging and hospitality. Our river guides are knowledgeable, courteous and professional.

Rainbow Trout Fishing on the Muskegon River.
(Nymphing Sucker Spawn for trophy Trout.)
 
 Michigan Steelhead -In late February, Steelhead move Spring Steelhead - In late February, Steelhead move up river and begin their migration to their spawning areas. Steelhead feed heavily on stone flies, caddis larvae, and Chinook fry. During March, April and May, Steelhead begin to polish gravel and begin to spawn.
During this time, Fly Fishing Steelhead is at it's absolute best!! Anglers can visually seek steelhead and make casts to the spawning Spring Steelhead. Sight fishing to Steelhead on gravel and watching them take the fly makes this an exhilarating experience!!

Fall Steelhead - The crown jewel of Great Lakes Steelhead- Fall Chrome is the most sought after and Jump like no other! We will be offering floats and spawn and fly fishing trips for Fall Steelhead on the lower Muskegon River. These fish are chrome and we average well over a fish per hour!

Muskegon River Trout - There are lots of suckers spawning and encouraging the bigger browns and rainbows to feed on nymphs behind sucker redds. Excellent numbers of cinnamon caddis seen in the last couple of days, mostly during the afternoon period. Many of stocked Trout targeting dry fly Caddis with an occasional big fish on the surface. As water temperatures increase, larger Trout will come up. Sulpher emergence is soon to come. Streamer stripping with salmon fry patterns has been working well for larger Trout - We need warmer water to get the big boys to chase streamers.

Muskegon River Smallmouth - Smallies with be available in good numbers during June, July, and August. We have several locations with private water with larger than average Smallmouth. These Fish are great fun and fight like crazy. Smallmouth also take a fly well. We offer both light tackle spinning with soft plastics, and fly tackle.

Muskegon River Fishing Reports - Updated fly fishing reports for Western Michigan and the Muskegon River, Pere Marquette River, and Manistee River. Our fishing reports are accurate to the best of our ability and updated daily.

 

 

Betts Guide Service - Updated Fishing Reports