Michigan
Muskegon River near Croton
Location Snapshot
Muskegon River near Croton is a western Michigan mainstem below Croton Dam with strong Lake Michigan connectivity. Brown trout, rainbow trout, chinook salmon, and smallmouth bass are the principal supported targets.
Current River Rating
Unavailable
Not enough local guidance to rate conditions.
Low confidence
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Timing Outlook
No reliable fishing window is available with the current data.
Why
- This river does not yet have enough local fishing guidance to assign a rating.
Cautions
- Water temperature is unavailable.
Blocking Factors
- Configured water observations are currently unavailable.
Current Readings
- Flow
- Not available
- Gage Height
- Not available
- Water Temperature
- Not available
- Latest current reading
- Not available
Monitoring temporarily unavailable. · USGS station 04121970 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
42°F
Feels like
38°F
Wind
4 mph NE
Wind gust
6 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 2:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 7 AM
Fog
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 11 AM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 3 PM
Clear
Temp 64°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Tue 7 PM
Clear
Temp 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 11 PM
Clear
Temp 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 3 AM
Clear
Temp 43°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Fog
High 65°F / Low 42°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 10 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 65°F / Low 40°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Mostly clear
High 69°F / Low 49°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 3 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Overcast
High 69°F / Low 48°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 15 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Brown and rainbow trout are in the mixed fishery on the Muskegon River near Croton, a Great Lakes tailwater.
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Muskegon River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Target species

Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence

Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence

Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerConservative overlap streamer family. Not an insect Hatch claim.
- Parachute-style dryOne general surface family appropriate to mixed fisheries — not a Hatch report.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphOne general subsurface family. Not destination entomology.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Newaygo, Michigan
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Newaygo
Management Category
Great Lakes tributary tailwater
Regulation Scope
Muskegon River near Croton.
Regulation Summary
Muskegon near Croton: MDNR Muskegon River trout and Great Lakes tributary rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
brown-trout, rainbow-trout, chinook-salmon, smallmouth-bass
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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