top of page

MICHIGAN

Screen Shot 2021-03-18 at 2.32.38 PM.png

Good People - Good Water - Good Fish

Michigan was part of Mop up the States Near My Home in the Chicago campaign. Why I never fished in Michigan until 2017, I have no idea. It is funny how there are trout almost everywhere in Michigan, but states like North Dakota have almost none.

​

It is Memorial Day Weekend, and Lauren is with her family in the South. So, I pack up the dog "Brooke Trout" and head up to Croton Dam's tailwaters, the Muskegon River. 

​

We crossed the dam and drove to the parking, where there was fish access. Google Maps in satellite view is incredible. I guessed at the site from what I learned from the maps. I drove right up, launched Brooke, threw a couple of casts, and had my first Michigan Rainbow. Yes, minor, like most of my first fish in a state. I had no idea there would be trout. Again, I just guessed from the research I did. I ended up catching 43 trout in about two hours. Sunset was nearing, and I had no place to stay or had mastered SUV camping yet.

​

We drove around looking for a campsite, but it was Memorial Day Weekend; we finally stumbled on a town park, White Cloud County Park. The park was off the White River, another trout stream we would target.

The camping was not in a forest, but friendly nonetheless. Unfortunately, I forgot my tent poles, and the young lady running the place ran out and fetched hers. I live in Chicago, and the people are friendly, but this was over the top. The whole time she watched over us. We ate dehydrated food and had a half bottle of wine; then Brooke called it a night, so I joined her. Ok, maybe the dog didn't eat the food or drink the wine.

​

The White River is a small stream with healthier, larger trout than I caught in the Muskegon River. It was a blast as I pulled about a half-dozen 10-12 inch healthy trout. The day was ending, and my next stop would be Indiana to a friend's farm to catch my Hoosier Trout.

Camping

Camping

Muskegon River

Camping

First Michigan Trout Muskegon River

White River

Camping

White River

White River

Breakfast

Muskegon River

White River Trout

bottom of page