Muskegon River Summer Smallmouth Trips

The Muskegon River is best known for its runs of migratory steelhead and salmon, and brown trout fishing below Croton Dam, but it also supports an outstanding smallmouth bass fishery.

The smallmouth water is split into two long sections. The upper reach is located between Evart and Big Rapids. The rocky substrate supports abundant crawfish and aquatic insects, and is perfect habitat for smallies. You can wade the river here in the summertime, but floating will help you cover more water and get farther away from the access points. The bridges are far apart in this reach, but by floating you can still go bridge to bridge.

Three dams back up most of the middle part of the river, but it becomes free-flowing below Croton Dam all the way to Muskegon Lake. Trout predominate between Croton and Newaygo, but smallmouth numbers build as you go farther downstream. The best fishing for smallies is between Bridgeton and the mouth. This is definitely boating water, and there are launches at Newaygo, Bridgeton and just upstream from Maple Island Road.

Book Your Trip Now

Deposit

$100 per boat per day via credit card is required for booking dates

Cancellation Policy

Deposit is non-refundable for trips cancelled less than 60 days prior to date of arrival.
Balance of trip is owed for trips cancelled 14 days or less from date of arrival.

For specific questions, please contact Jay Allen via phone or email: 
M:  (307) 690-2962
E:  guidejayallen@gmail.com