Superb Fishing in Newaygo County

Superb Fishing in Newaygo County

Newaygo County teems with an abundance of water for the experienced or casual fisherman.  Thousands of acres of dam-supported backwaters, large and small beautiful lakes, and even hidden ponds provide plenty of opportunity for anglers to enjoy still-water fishing.

 

But what draws most fishermen to our area are a couple of rivers containing miles of some of the best trout and salmon fishing east of the Mississippi River. The northern part of the County provides the headwaters of two famous rivers: the Pere Marquette which takes a westerly route to Ludington and Lake Michigan, and the White River which provides miles of brook and brown trout fishing from its headwaters to the dam in Hesperia.

 

The White River Hesperia dam prevents the anadromous salmon and steelhead from reaching the upper spawning redds of the brook and brown trout. Brook trout fishermen will do well morning and evenings.   The more nocturnal brown trout will feed into the nighttime hours. A flood in September of 1986 destroyed the dam in White Cloud and took Lake White Cloud and its fish down-stream.  The ten or more miles of river below White Cloud now contains a sizeable population of warm water fish as well as the trout that populated the river before the flood.

 

Mother Nature blessed the citizens of Newaygo County and its visitors with one of Michigan’s gems…the Muskegon River. One of Michigan’s longest rivers, its source comes from Houghton Lake, located in the central part of the “Mitten”.  The river begins as a warm water fishery; by the time it reaches Newaygo County several incoming springs feed its cool waters. When the river clears its last impoundment, Croton Dam, it’s a “born again” trout stream.  Now the water above the dam encourages the pursuit of bass and northern pike. The rapidly flowing water below the dam invites the angler to cast for trout.

 

Early fall continue the pursuit of smallmouth bass in the lower waters of the Muskegon – below Newaygo – with anglers casting streamers or spinners while keeping a wary eye out for the first chinook salmon of the season. The movement of the salmon to reach their spawning redds – between mile markers 1 and 20 below Croton Dam – occurs in September and runs into October depending on water conditions and temperatures. The river can be waded in certain locations but for the most part it is best challenged from a boat.

 

Visiting fishermen do well to contact local guides to become acquainted with the river. The County boasts many expert guides. Click here to find a list of guides.

 

If you are fortunate to fish our local waters you will be blessed by the beauty and clarity of the waters as well as the wildlife that abounds in the presence of the rivers.   Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

 

Jim Helgemo

Early Winter Getaway

Early Winter Getaway

With the busy holiday season behind us, who isn’t ready for some “me time”? Maybe a quiet walk in the woods, casting a line along a rapidly flowing riverbank, or pedaling through the pines can provide the renewal you seek. Newaygo County welcomes all seekers to come...

White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems

White Cloud- Trail Town Hidden Gems

If you venture a few yards off M-37, you will find some amazing hidden gems within White Cloud city limits that most travelers don’t know exist. Hidden Gem #1 If you're heading North into town, Rotary Park is the first stop you’ll make. Taking a right on James Street...

Kids Free Fishing!

Kids Free Fishing!

Beginning in 1983, Russell Gilbert Kids Free Fishing is a day where families can gather for fun times and even have a chance to win big money!  On the first Kids Free Fishing day, 8 anglers joined in the fun & over the years, they have seen over 400 anglers...

Power Paddle

Power Paddle

            On Saturday morning at 10am, under sheets of rain, they sat waiting for the gunshot. The solo canoeists (known as C1), steadied their boats in the chop. The shot rang out, barely audible over the wind and rain meeting the lake; the racers plunged their...

Success at Dam to Dam 2018

Success at Dam to Dam 2018

by Carmen Faulkner At sunrise, the serious contenders went out. They walked or snowshoed or rode snowmobiles. Some carried ice shanties, others stuck true to what I would consider to be the ‘old school, torturous’ tradition of sitting on buckets in the wind and cold....

Dam to Dam Ice Fishing Tournament

Dam to Dam Ice Fishing Tournament

by Carmen Faulkner All right everyone, the winter thaw is over! The few days of warm weather and the reminders from green grass poking up from under the usual January snow was wonderful, but wintery conditions have made their way back into the forecast for the...

About The Author