Michigan
Muskegon River near Croton
Current River Rating
Poor · 29
Conditions are unfavorable based on the available readings.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Do Not Go
Avoid This Period
Saturday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
This is an informational evaluation period, not a recommended fishing window. These seasonal suggestions should not be interpreted as a recommendation to enter
Why
- Water temperature is unfavorable for trout fishing.
Favorable Factors
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
Cautions
- Heavy recent precipitation may have reduced water clarity or raised flows.
Current Readings
- Flow
- 1450 CFS
- Gage Height
- 4.93 ft
- Water Temperature
- 72.1 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 7:30 AM
Updated recently · 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
Overcast
Temperature
69°F
Feels like
73°F
Wind
6 mph E
Wind gust
18 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.76 in
Last 48 hours
0.76 in
Moderate rainfall may cause rising or changing flows.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 69°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 6 mph
Sat 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 67°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 8 mph
Sat 12 PM
Drizzle
Temp 70°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.02 in
Wind 7 mph
Sat 4 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 78°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Sat 8 PM
Clear
Temp 72°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 12 AM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 5 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Drizzle
High 79°F / Low 66°F
Chance 20%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 21 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Overcast
High 77°F / Low 58°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 81°F / Low 57°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 87°F / Low 57°F
Chance 11%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 30 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
Muskegon River near Croton, Michigan. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
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
Fishery overview
The Muskegon near Croton is the Croton Dam tailwater / Newaygo trout and steelhead fishing reach. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 04121970 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Muskegon at Evart 04121500 and Newaygo 04122000. Steelhead and salmon runs are MDNR Great Lakes tributary fisheries, not condition ratings. Brown trout are the honest resident selector primary. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Muskegon Croton tailwater brown trout. USGS 04121970.
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Muskegon rainbow trout / steelhead. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only.
Chinook Salmon
Oncorhynchus tshawytscha
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Migratory
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Seasonal MDNR Chinook. MDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- native
- Confidence
- High confidence
MDNR Muskegon smallmouth in warmer seasons.
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- Yes
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Croton Dam tailwater of the Muskegon River in Newaygo County, a Lake Michigan tributary distinct from Evart and from Lake Michigan.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by MDNR Newaygo / Croton Dam access. Catalog coordinates are USGS 04121970. Dam tailwater hazards apply. This pin is not Evart 04121500.
Stocking information
MDNR stocks Muskegon trout, steelhead, and salmon. Confirm current official notices. MDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings.
Official sources
MDNR Muskegon River trout, steelhead, and salmon rules change. Migratory steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) are not a StrikeTracks species-selector ID; they are described in overview and regulation caution only. MDNR weir, fish-ladder, creel, and stocking counts are fishery context. They are not StrikeTracks river condition ratings. Distinct from Evart 04121500. Confirm current MDNR regulations.
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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