Muskegon River: Fly Fishing Conditions & Hatch Report

By Chris Izworski  ·  Updated Friday, June 12, 2026  ·  Daily reports at Michigan Trout Daily
Flow
2160 cfs
high
Water Temp
66.2°F
warm
Gauge Height
5.83 ft
USGS gauge
Conditions
[object Object]
as of 2:27 AM UTC
About This River

Muskegon River, West-Central Lower Michigan

Tailwater fishery below Croton Dam. Year-round trout and steelhead thanks to cold, stable dam releases. One of the most productive and accessible trout rivers in Michigan.

Species present: Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead trout. Stream type: tailwater.

Active Hatches: June 2026

What's Hatching Now

Based on current water temperature (66.2°F) and time of year, the following insects are active or expected on the Muskegon River.

HatchLatinTop PatternsTime of Day
Sulphur Ephemerella dorothea / invaria Sulphur Comparadun #14, Sulphur Parachute #14 evening
Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum Light Cahill #14, Cream Comparadun #14 evening
Hexagenia (Hex) Hexagenia limbata Hex Wiggle Nymph #4, Extended Body Hex Dun #4 night
Terrestrials Beetles, ants, hoppers, crickets Foam Beetle #12, Chernobyl Ant #10 afternoon
Access & Regulations
Public Access
Croton Dam, Newaygo, Bridgeton: well-maintained public access sites
Regulations
Catch-and-release season extended due to tailwater designation. Check DNR.
Target Species
Brown trout, Rainbow trout, Steelhead trout
Stream Type
Tailwater
About the Author
Chris Izworski is a Michigan angler and the founder of the Michigan Trout Report, which tracks live conditions for 110+ Michigan rivers. He publishes daily stream reports at Michigan Trout Daily.
Get a daily conditions report for the Muskegon River every morning during trout season.
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