Indigo Guide Service

West Michigan Fishing Report for May 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          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> We finally got some needed rain and the trout fishing has been good.  There was lots of bug activity when the weather was warm but the last week has been cold, wet and windy.  Lots of baby fish around, alevin and fry patterns have been producing.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River           Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The trout fishing in the upper Manistee has been good with hatches of sulphurs and other bugs on warm days.  Like anywhere, switch to streamers when the weather is cooler.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> Nice hatches on the warm days with lots of action, though the bulk of the action will be small planters.  Alevin and fry patterns have produced well fished behind a larger streamer.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Open Waters >>> Stripping big streamers has been hot at the river mouths for pike, walleye and you always have a shot at something big, fast and silver.

Alevin Martinez and other alevin/fry patterns have been top producers.

West Michigan Fishing Report for April 18th, 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 – around 50          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The Pere Marquette steelhead fishing is hanging in there.  Enough new fish are moving up to keep the net wet.  The salmon fry are “hatching” in big numbers.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> There are enough steelhead on the Manistee to spice up a day but fish numbers are only fair.  Everyone is interested in what next week will bring.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 50          Water Conditions – average and clearing
>>> The steelhead have slowed down over the last week but there are still enough to have some fun.  The standard egg and nymph combinations are producing best. Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

A bright male steelhead from last week.

An interesting underwater steelhead pic.

SS Bugger (Steelhead/Salmon Bugger)… click here for tying directions.

West Michigan Fishing Report for April 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 – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – bit high, stained
>>> The PM River is fishing ok.  Flocks of people hit the river on Saturday and I think many went away disappointed.  With the perfect water temps the trout fishing has been great.  Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 42          Water Conditions – average clearing
>>> The Manistee River has ok steelhead numbers, it will be interesting to see what next week brings.  The typical egg and nymph combinations have been the best bet.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 39          Water Conditions – average, stained
>>> The steelhead are doing well on the Muskegon and with the warm water temps so are the trout.  Look for the trout behind spawning steelhead or in areas with stonefly activity.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

Chris with a nice PM River Steelhead, Chris did a nice job getting into a tough spot to hook-up with this fish.

Ten year old Gavin taking the chill off the morning with a warm cinnamon roll.

West Michigan Fishing Report for March 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 – mid 40’s          Water Conditions – average level, clear
>>> It looks like the new shipment of steelhead are starting to arrive and just in time.  Trout fishing has been good, they are acting like it is late April or May.  Our four steelhead yesterday all came off from a bunny hex.  The stone hatches have been light. Kevin Morlock
USGS Real-Time Data for the Pere Marquette River at Scottville, Michigan

Big Manistee River
Temps – 42          Water Conditions – average clearing
>>> Water temps are about perfect on the Manistee and the fishing is good.  The water has cleared enough that fly fishing is effective again.
USGS Real-Time Data for the Manistee River near Wellston, Michigan

Muskegon River
Temps – 39          Water Conditions – average
>>> Good steelhead numbers following the recent rain and high water.  Water temps are warming to a point where the steelhead and trout activity is increasing.  Phil Cusey
USGS Real-Time Data for the Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan

One of the four steelhead from yesterday, they all wanted the Bunny Hex.

Bunny Hex… Click here for the Bunny Hex tying directions and recipe.

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.