Indigo Guide Service

West Michigan Fishing Report for March 16th, 2010

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 a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – up & dirty/perfect
>>> The upper half of the Pere Marquette River is perfect after the recent rain and snow melt.  The steelhead are spawning with hopefully new fish on the way from Lake Michigan.  Big stonefly hatch today.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 40          Water Conditions – high & muddy
>>> Warmer temps and rain have brought mud and high water to the Manistee River.  The fly bite is tough with the dirty water conditions, go big and bright to get noticed.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 36          Water Conditions – above average & stained
>>> Water levels have risen dramatically due to snow melt and rain.  Consequently, steelhead have begun to enter the Muskegon River in large numbers.  Bottom bounce with stones, wiggle hex’s and black leaches for the best results.  The afternoon bite has been best.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Morlock’s Steelhead Ammo — Click here for the recipe and tying directions…

Two of several Pere Marquette steelhead and browns caught and released on this perfect spring day.

West Michigan Fishing Report for March 11th, 2010

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 a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – high 30’s          Water Conditions – up & dirty
>>> The PM River has been rising the past few days with warm weather and snowmelt, today it was perfect.  It has been raining steady for the last few hours and it could be up considerably by morning.   The lower river went flat but fishing is good up-stream.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 37          Water Conditions – coming up
>>> Warmer weather and rain has added a little stain to the Manistee River.  Steelhead are starting to move out of winter water toward the gravel.  It looks like spring.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 37          Water Conditions – slight stain
>>> Recent warmer temps have brought the foreshadowing of spring to western Michigan.  Nymphing for trout is still producing the best results.  Steelhead are still in the deeper water, with the best bite during late afternoon when the water is warmest.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

West Michigan Fishing Report for February 23rd, 2010

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 a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – 30’s          Water Conditions – low and clear
>>> A warm snap with rain would set us up quickly for good to great fishing, bringing in a fresh batch of new steelhead.  The PM has fish around and the fishing hasn’t been too bad but new eager steelhead would be great.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 35          Water Conditions – low and clear
>>> Good to fair fishing with good fish numbers throughout the system.  Water levels are low and clear, using stealth is key.  Using floats with small eggs in washed pink or yellows with small black stoneflies has been working well.  Jamie Clous
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 33          Water Conditions – low average
>>> The Muskegon launch sites are icy.  Winter trout fishing has been good, #16 scuds in olive or pink and stonefly nymphs have been productive.  With the low clear water, the steelhead have been wary… small nymphs on the bottom of deep runs has been the best bet.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Spring Stoneflies
Our first hatch of the year in west Michigan that is important to steelhead anglers are a couple species of black or dark stoneflies, they range from size 10-20, but most are in the 12-14 range.  The steelhead are not critical on size and many feel that a bit larger stonefly pattern will produce more action, stonefly patterns tied on size 6-8 egg hooks are a good choice.

Morlock’s Spring Stone… Click here for the recipe.
 

It still looks like winter

West Michigan Fishing Report for January 25th, 2010

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 a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit the Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.
Pere Marquette River
Temps – low 30’s          Water Conditions – average
>>>The lower PM River has had a good bite going, though the upper and middle sections have been more hit or miss.  Possibly with this rain some of those lower river fish will head upstream a few miles.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 35          Water Conditions – high average
>>>Solid steelhead fishing on the Manistee River.  Anglers are boating fish consistently on a variety of methods and enjoying the nice weather.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 34          Water Conditions – average
>>>Look for the steelie bite to be at it’s best during the afternoon when the water warms a degree or two.  Fish on the bottom with stones, wiggle hexs and black leaches.  The boat launches are slick.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

A quick trip to the PM on Friday produced a couple of nice fish.

West Michigan Fishing Report for January 2nd, 2010

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 a more detailed report on the Pere Marquette River visit Pere Marquette River Fishing Report site.  The latest update is "Good steelhead fishing considering the cold water", it was updated on January 2nd, 2010.

Pere Marquette River
Temps – mid 30’s          Water Conditions – average
>>>So far it has been a good winter for fishing, decent snow levels with mild temps.  The river is in good shape with the lower sections still open.  Fishing is average to good considering water temps are only a few degrees above freezing.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 33          Water Conditions – a little above average
>>>Steelheading on the Big Manistee River is good.  Drifting egg and nymph patterns and slow swinging streamers have both been winning choices.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 34          Water Conditions – slight stain, average level
>>>Steelhead are in the deeper holding water.  Bottom bounce for them with stones, wiggle hex’s and black leaches.  The boat launches are icy and snow packed… use caution!  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Two nice west Michigan steelhead… there is nothing like a bright colorful steelhead with snow in the background.

Barothy Lodge in Walhalla, Michigan is the perfect place for your next Pere Marquette River vacation. For more information on what to do and see in West Michigan visit the Ludington Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (Ludington CVB) web site.