Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.  And click here to see just our Pere Marquette fishing reports on Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- above average

With a few days of weather in the 40s and rain, a lot of snow has melted. It brought the river up over 1100cfs for a day or two but we’re now retreating towards average again. There is some stain but it’s not blown out. Steelhead are distributed through the entire system and we’ve caught them recently on a black leech with green and gold flash and an orange ice dub head. It’s supposed to cool down again next week, but we don’t expect true winter conditions again until next year! Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  above average

While nymphs and eggs have been most productive over the past week or so, with the warm up and snow melt swung streamers may produce better.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- below average

Though below average, water levels are up higher than they’ve been for more than a month and fresh fish have moved up. Nymphs and eggs have been most productive, though some days can be excellent for swinging streamers. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.  And click here to see just our Pere Marquette fishing reports on Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- above average

We’re in the middle of another cold snap and the fishing is not so good right now. Shelf ice is building and flowing slush can be a problem. We look to have temperatures climbing back toward freezing early next week. Sunny afternoons are usually your best chance to catch fish in the winter. We are catching fish occasionally on slowly swung streamers, though indicator rigs with eggs and small nymphs are your best bet. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  below average

Fishing has been OK on the Manistee below Tippy with indicator rigs being the most productive method.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- below average

Steelhead fishing has been good with indicator rigs fishing egg and small nymph patterns. Swinging flies has been tough but will produce a fish here and there. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- low

Steelhead fishing has been very good in the lower river over the past couple weeks with black and pink streamers on the swing being very productive. However, much colder temperatures are expected this week which will likely freeze the lower river. While there are good numbers of steelhead in the middle and upper river, they are difficult to catch due to the low, extremely clear water. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Steelhead fishing has been good on the Big Man below Tippy, though much of Northern Michigan above the PM is under a blizzard advisory through Monday, so be careful on your way to and from the river.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- low

Steelhead fishing has been a little inconsistent, but many large fish are being caughtPhil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- low

There are still salmon in the river, though the real story now is steelhead. We finally got a blast of rain two weeks ago and it brought good numbers of steelhead into the river. While these fish are distributed well throughout the system, they are biting best in the lower river. Hopefully we’ll get some more rain soon because the river dropped right back to where it was. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Steelhead fishing has been good on the Big Man below Tippy, though word is the fish are getting pretty smart so small flies and tippet are the rule.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- very low

The Muskegon is super low right now, though there are good numbers of steelhead in the river. Overcast days are fishing the best. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- low

Our salmon run was late this year but has finally peaked. We have good numbers of fish all over the gravels in the middle and upper river with some still waiting in the holes. Fishing is very good and should remain so for the next week or two. We’re starting to see a few steelhead around, but need rain before we get a big push. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  low

Good numbers of salmon below Tippy Dam and good numbers of steelhead as well.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- low

Salmon fishing is improving with steelhead starting to make an appearance as well. Trout fishing has been very good. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- average

Fish are all over the middle river on the gravels and fishing can be good if you hit them right. There are still good pushes of fish coming up the lower river and we’re still catching some, but mostly they are shooting upriver pretty quick and it helps to have a sunny day so that they hold in the deep holes. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Good numbers of salmon below Tippy Dam with some steelhead thrown in for good measure.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- average

Trout fishing has been good below Croton and more salmon are moving up everyday. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- rising

We’ve got kings in the lower and middle river and some spotted in the upper river as well. Good numbers of fish are holed up in specific locations and it really helps to know where they are to catch them. They are taking Thundersticks, big flies that throw off a lot of vibration, and egg patterns. We’re starting to see a couple on gravel, but full time spawning season is still around the corner. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Finally got a good push of kings and a few cohos all the way up to Tippy Dam last week. Better numbers still on the way.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- average

The river is finally come up a bit and the temps are cooling down. Some salmon have entered the lower river and trout fishing is once again an option higher up near Croton dam. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette- rising

After two days of rain in the morning the Pere Marquette is finally rising. This should mean good salmon fishing over the holiday weekend. There are good numbers of fish already in the system, you just have to catch them in the mood to bite. We’ve been catching a few fish here and there every day, but the higher water should really improve things. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Still no reports of a good salmon run though they are being caught at the mouth. With some good rain these fish should be moving up.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- below average

The river is still very low and warm. No salmon yet and until we get some cooler temps they won’t show themselves. Smallmouth fishing is very good. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette-  average

We finally received a good push of salmon last week and the fishing has been good. We’re hooking fish every day in the lower river and landing a few as well. These fish are hot and hooking them is usually easier than landing them. The weather turned back to the summer pattern yesterday, southerly winds and warmer. Fish should continue to trickle in over the next couple days, but the forecast for later this week, a cold front and rain moving through, looks good for a big push of fish. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  average

Smallmouth fishing below Tippy Dam has been good and trout fishing above the dam has been good. There were decent numbers of salmon in the Little Manistee last week but by Friday we couldn’t seem to find them. Mark Knee

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- below average

The river is very low. Smallmouth fishing has been good and there are some trout feeding sporadically in the morning on midges below Croton dam. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Click here for a good looking single page pdf version of this west Michigan guide report… perfect for a counter top or bulletin board.

For more regular updates, please visit our blog Third Coast Fly.

Pere Marquette-  above average, falling

Lake Michigan off Ludington has been warm all summer. We received a good shot of rain last week but no salmon yet. The nice thing about fishing the lower river for early salmon is that if you’re not catching salmon you can usually get into some decent pike. With some wind out of the north and some cooler weather the salmon should start their run. Streamer fishing for trout was improved in the higher water, but mousing will be slow until the water clears a bit more. Matt Dunn

USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Manistee-  above average, falling

Day fishing has been slow with the warm weather. Smallmouth and mousing after dark are your best options.

USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon- above average, steady

Water Conditions – above average, steady Again, with warm temperatures the trout fishing is slow Smallmouth fishing has been good. Phil Cusey

USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan