Muskegon River: Fly Fishing Conditions & Hatch Report

By Chris Izworski  ·  Updated Monday, April 27, 2026  ·  Daily reports at Michigan Trout Daily
Flow
3920 cfs
high
Water Temp
57.4°F
prime
Gauge Height
7.07 ft
USGS gauge
Conditions
[object Object]
as of 11:39 PM 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: April 2026

What's Hatching Now

Based on current water temperature (57.4°F) and time of year, the following insects are active or expected on the Muskegon River.

HatchLatinTop PatternsTime of Day
Hendrickson Ephemerella subvaria Hendrickson Dry #12, Red Quill #12 afternoon
Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus spp. Elk Hair Caddis #14, X-Caddis #14 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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