June
Our best month for trout fishing. Hatches are at a peak, water temps are optimal and in general, river conditions at their best. Dry fly fishing, nymphing or streamer fishing, all tactics apply for June. The BIG bugs arrive as well, from drakes to hex’s, ‘tis the time for large trout surface snacks !
July
Trout fishing still in its prime. Hoppers, ants, beetles and other “terrestrial” activity picks up and provides trout with great mid-summer meals. Some king salmon begin to show in lower stretches of certain rivers such as the little Manistee river and Pere Marquette river.
August
Hopper & terrestrial fishing still very good. Warm nights followed by windy days blow a lot of insects into the river and can set up a nice, relaxed day of trout fishing. Spring fed systems such as the Pere Marquette river will stay the coolest during August, while big tailwaters such as the Muskegon river and Manistee river will run a bit warmer. King salmon numbers increase in certain river such as the Pere Marquette river and Manistee river, providing an opportunity for early big game fishing.
~Fall~
September
King salmon take over as they return to spawn. In most smaller rivers, kings are at their peak of numbers, bigger rivers will go into October for salmon. Trout fishing still good, resident fish begin to pack on the feedbag in preparation for fall, dropping river temps and the onset of winter.
October
King salmon have peaked in the smaller rivers. They’re just getting into their prime on big rivers such as the Muskegon and Manistee. Trout fishing can be very good by targeting spawning salmon and fishing behind them with floating line and indicator rigs. Fall steelhead numbers increase throughout the month.
November
Steelhead are the quarry of choice. With ample supply of high protein salmon eggs and other insects flowing down the river, steelhead are in their fighting prime. Some late salmon are still around and quite feisty for late arrivals.
Trout fishing can be very good through the month and preferred techniques include floating line/indicator nymphing and swinging streamers.
~Winter~
December
Eearly in the month can be very good fishing, especially in bigger, tailwater rivers, which take longer to cool down than smaller, spring fed streams. Trout are still active and it's common to find fresh steelhead in some river systems. Weather patterns often dictate how well fishing activity will be later in the month, as winter truly sets in at this time. Lack of fishing pressure can make for some truly beautiful and peaceful days on the water.
January
Typically one of our coldest months of the year as we hit mid-winter in Michigan. With low water temps, fish tend to be somewhat lethargic, although sunny days can warm the water a bitt heat making it to the river bottom can turn the “bite” on. Winter steelheading and trout fishing available.
February
One of our “transition” months for both rivers and fish. The beginning can be very cold, but by the end of the month water temps begin to rise, trout activity picks up and steelhead fresh from lake Michigan enter their respective rivers in preparation of their annual spawn.
