MUSKEGON RIVER
The Muskegon is another river that is better known for its trout and steelhead fishing, but it has even more miles of river offering prime walleye and smallmouth bass fishing.

This river starts as the outlet of Houghton Lake and flows almost 200 miles to Lake Michigan. The prime reach for both walleyes and smallies lies in the lower river from a few miles upstream of Bridgeton down to Muskegon Lake. This is big water, so a boat is the best way to go at it.

Upstream on the Muskegon, the smallmouth bass outnumber the walleyes, but there are still areas where ‘eyes will contribute to your catch. DNR biologist Rich O’Neal suggested trying below Hardy Dam and Rogers Dam for good mixed-bag fishing. You will also find good numbers of walleyes farther upstream in the stretch of river near the town of Big Rapids.

For more information on the Muskegon, call the DNR at (231) 788-6798.

TITTABAWASSEE RIVER
Walleye numbers are higher in the Tittabawassee River in the spring and late fall, but you will still find them mixed in with the smallmouth bass in the summer.

This river is the northernmost tributary to the Saginaw River. The prime reach for mixed-bag fishing is between Midland and the confluence in the city of Saginaw. It is a big river and wading is limited, but you can do well in your boots when the water is low and shore-angling is possible.

DNR biologist Jim Baker recommended that shore-bound anglers try West Michigan Park in Saginaw and Imerman Park about six miles upstream where there is also a newly constructed fishing pier. Anglers can also launch boats at Imerman Park and at the Center Road boat launch in Saginaw. Some resident walleyes also mix in with the smallies upstream from Midland below the Sanford and Wixom dams.

You can reach the DNR for more info at (989) 684-9141.

GRAND RIVER
Michigan’s longest river also offers our state’s best combo fishing for walleyes and smallmouth bass.

Walleyes and smallies teem in this river, with the middle two-thirds of the Grand between Lansing and Jenison providing the best fishing. As usual, dams tend to concentrate the fish, but you will also find good fishing in free-flowing reaches between the dams. The area below Grand Rapids where the river transitions from fast, rocky water into a more gentle flow is a prime reach for larger fish. You can wade all of the water in the rapids below the 6th Street Dam in Grand Rapids and the upper part of the transition water. A ramp at Johnson Park gives boaters access to the slower, deeper water downstream.

Moving upstream, you don’t encounter another dam until you get to Lyons. You can fish in the long reach between the dams, but you will need to boat a fair distance in order to find good numbers of walleyes and smallmouths. There is good access at the Lyons Dam, and there are good numbers of fish in the first mile below it. Just upstream, the Webber Dam blocks the flow, and the reach below it has been a hotspot for larger walleyes. There are public accesses on both sides of the river, and a large island below the dam gives you a chance to “make the circle” for bass and walleyes.

If you don’t catch them at Webber, you are just a few miles from the Portland Dam. There is access on the west side of the river, which is split by a wall between the power channel and the spillway. I have experienced better fishing below the spillway.

Continuing upstream, walleyes and smallies are numerous below the Grand Ledge Dam. There are two parks on the south side of the river, with walleyes more numerous near the dam and smallies predominating downstream. There are two dams in Lansing, and there is good smorgasbord fishing and access below both. The river is wadeable in August, and there are walkways at both the North Lansing and Moores Park dams. Also, some walleyes move up into the Red Cedar River in town and join the plentiful smallies in this tributary.