With such a variety of rivers to choose from, it’s often best to separate them from each other, based on the seasons. The following is a brief overview of the rivers guided and notes on seasonal variations.

Grand River
Starting south of Lansing, MI and flowing west through agricultural land in Portland & Ionia, it reaches lake Michigan through the port town of Grand Haven. The Grand River is the longest in the state, offering both warm and cold water species angling opportunities. Seasonal migration of salmon and steelhead are prime draws, although this is a very good bass fishery as well. Most often fished from the boat.

Rogue River
Located just north of Grand Rapids in the town of Rockford, Michigan, the Rogue has changed dramatically over the years, but continues to produce both migratory fish of spring and fall, as well as resident Brown and Rainbow trout. Due to size and accessibility, wade fishing most common, although floating in a drift boat an option as well.

Flat River
A warm water fishery that empties into the Grand River just outside of Lowell, Michigan, it’s a short 15 minute drive from Grand Rapids to reach this quality Smallmouth bass and Carp fishery. Warmer months fish best due to the nature of such warm water fish. Streamers and dry fly fishing are possible, streamers dominate for “smallies”, while Carp sight fishing opportunities can challenge even the most accomplished fly caster.

White River
A small trickle of a “brook” evolves into a quaint little cold water river just outside of Hesperia, Michigan. Nestled in amongst farm fields, forest and a small valley, the White comes out of Newaygo County and flows SW, into the town of Whitehall where it empties into White Lake and lake Michigan. Migratory salmon & steelhead bring big numbers of anglers out looking to wade fish each spring and fall. Good trout fishing can be had in the fall post-salmon run, as well as fall steelheading.

Muskegon River
Our second longest river in the state extending over 200 miles from just outside Grayling, MI, flowing into the historic port town of Muskegon on the W. Michigan shoreline. A very large tailwater, the Muskegon is home to trout, bass and walleye year round. Seasonal migration of salmon and steelhead can produce world class fishing action. As an insect rich tailwater, the Muskegon has some very good hatches from April – October, providing the dry fly angler with a number of options. A true “big river”, it is one of the more popular in all of W. Michigan.

Pere Marquette
Known around the country and world for both “catch and release” trout fishing in the famous “flies only” section, to migratory salmon and steelhead, this quaint little switchback river is unlike most anywhere. A National Wild and Scenic River, the “PM” runs from east of Baldwin, Michigan into the town of Ludington, located on the shores of lake Michigan, about 100 miles up the shoreline from Grand Rapids. From the famous “hex” hatch of June, to mousin’ on a July night, to chasing migratory fish mid-fall through late spring, the choices are many. Mid-week trout and non-peak migratory fishing times are the most sought after to counter the crowds.

Big Manistee
Trout, salmon and steelhead are available to the fly fisher. Each has their own respective “prime time”, with fall and spring bringing salmon then steelhead and the months of May and June being the most popular for dry fly fishing. A tailwater fishery, the “Big”, as it’s known, changes considerably around the town of Wellston, MI, home to Tippy Dam. Above Tippy are a few beautiful stretches of river most known for both night time “hex” fishing as well as early spring streamer fishing for brown trout. Below Tippy is still very good trout fishing and home to the migratory spring and fall fish who’s migration ends at the dam.