Muskegon River

PADDLING

Newaygo County is home to approximately 356 miles of rivers, it is typical to see a variety of water sport activities on the county’s waters. Kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding are all extremely popular on all lakes and rivers. The Muskegon River offer some faster water but is very navigable and are great for both experienced and novice paddlers.

The Muskegon River is the wider and smoother flowing of the two Newaygo County Rivers. This river is great for a weekend trip with friends, as you can casually float down at an easy pace. There are also various put in/pull out locations which allow you to make your trip as long or short as you want.

FISHING

Picture yourself fishing from a drift boat or jet sled down a broad, magnificent river, surrounded by tall pine and hardwood forests. Long wide riffles, deep pools and long eddies the size of several football fields hold brown and rainbow trout surface-feeding on prolific hatches of mayflies, caddis and midges all day long – some fish approaching trophy proportions. Wild origin stocked Michigan strain Steelhead and Chinook King salmon up to 20 pounds haunt the gravel runs. And pacific king salmon in the 40 pound class haunt the river’s gravel runs. The adventurous fly fisher will find challenging and at times fabulous angling from this world-class river. No, you are not on the encompassing Delaware River  system full of wild trout in the Catskills of the East – not on Montana’s Big Horn nor on British Columbia’s or Alaska’s rivers. You’re experiencing a day on Michigan’s Mighty Muskegon River – a trout, steelhead and salmon wonderland!

River Details

Distance: 216 miles
Activities: Paddling, Fishing, Boating, Swimming