Muskegon River (Lower) Michigan Trout Fishing Conditions
Lower Muskegon below Croton Dam through Newaygo and Bridgeton. Big water with steelhead, brown trout, and salmon runs. Tailwater fishery below Croton.
The lower Muskegon River below Croton Dam is big, powerful tailwater that hosts some of Michigan's best steelhead and brown trout fishing. The cold releases from Croton Dam maintain trout-quality temperatures through the summer, and the river supports both resident and migratory fish.
Fall steelhead and salmon runs draw crowds to the Newaygo area. But the resident brown trout fishery is excellent year-round, especially below Croton where cold dam releases keep temperatures in the prime range. Drift boats and wading both productive. Big streamers, egg patterns, and nymphs are the standard arsenal.