I did a short car camping trip to the Muskegon River area, July of this year. Not exactly trout season, but it was my only chance to go anywhere, so I took it. I stayed at Newaygo State Park, an excellent little park on Hardy Pond Dam. Rustic facilities, but a nice little beach and boat launch.  Easy access to the Muskegon River and the numerous little Brook trout streams in the area.

The Muskegon is big/fast and in spots a really deep river, especially close to Lake MI.

I waded sections just below Croton Dam. I saw lot's of kayakers/tubers floating the river. Even in low water, July in the 90's, they didn't have to paddle much ;)

I was surprised how strong the current was, even in the wider stretches, 200 yds or better. The bottom is mostly gravel and I foolishly attempted to walk across the gravel ridges, hoping to fish the holes where I could see fish holding. At one point I stepped from just over  knee deep water, into a little more than waist deep water.

The power of the current was incredible, even at that time of the year.
I could literally feel my self being lifted and it took all my effort to get back to safer water. I was wearing wading shoes with steel studs, if not for them, I would of been in for a wild ride.

In the spring, or any high water time, I would be very cautious wading or canoeing in that area. I could see it being an excellent steel head/salmon fishery. I'm sure weekends during the runs, the banks would lined with anglers.

I could see a fishing kayak being a useful tool there. Being able to anchor above the holes and letting your spoon/body bait/spawn sack ease thru them without fighting the current wading would be a lot less tiring and probably a lot safer.

I saw numerous areas along banks where canoeist's had made camp. The shoreline is all state access, but much of the area is private land , so getting to the better stretches takes some effort.



I bought this book for the trip. A excellent resource for any outdoor activity in southern MI
Southern Michigan All-Outdoors Atlas & Field Guide
Available from Sportsman's Connection
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