Pere Marquette River Lodge

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Steelhead - Steelhead begin running in the river in late September. The fall run peaks between late October and mid-November. Steelhead remain in the river all winter until, in mid March, they begin their spawning activity. The peak of the spring run is in March and April. The fishing usually remains good into early May.

Salmon - Salmon begin their spawning run in August. The peak is around the end of September, but, the fishing stays good through the end of October.

Trout - Brown and rainbow trout are found in the Pere Marquette, Manistee, Muskegon, and other rivers year round. Great hatches on the Muskegon and Pere Marquette Rivers in the summer months attract anglers from all over to try to catch larger brown trout. Don't miss the Hex Hatch, when the largest mayflies in the world bring massive brown trout to the surface for some dynamite night time fishing.

While trout can be caught year round in the rivers, insects usually are prevalent until steelhead have moved out. Yet there's nothing like taking a lunker Brown while stripping a large hunk of rabbit on a rainy day in May and June. The Pere Marquette has resident browns averaging 12-22" with some rainbows as well. During the Hex Hatch, in late June we start to see the PM's big browns, with many over 20" and if that excites you let us show you what we like to call "Hairballing or Mousing". Usually this is not something for the faint hearted. Big flies attract big fish.

Spring - Things start to pick up in early March. The steelhead have been moving up river since the first thaw. The next two months that follow are pretty exciting. The steelhead in the Pere Marquette average about 8-12 lbs. The other local rivers have good runs as well. You can always call the shop to see which one is doing best that day or week.

Summer - June, July and August produce some of the most memorable Brown trout fishing one can imagine. Bring lots of Damsels, Drakes and anything that floats with rubber legs. Your gonna like it. Summer (Skamania) steelhead are found in the Pere Marquette but require serious persistence. Although they can be taken during the day on a nymph or streamer. Night time with a large dry fly always gives you a little edge.

Fall - Starting in mid-late August, salmon start to run up river to perform their mating ritual. Numbers pick up around the beginning of September and steadily increase through the end of the month. You will be able to find King's in the river up until late November. In October the Steelhead have started to arrive again to feast on salmon eggs and fatten up a little before the long hard winter. This is where the diehards separate the men from the boys.

Winter - This is when the diehards separate the men & women from the boys & girls. This is when one finds the true meaning of steelheading. They stay in the river until the following spring to spawn. You can own the tranquility of the river by yourself. Gliding on the quiet river and experience the sudden burst of the water by steelhead is a joy. If you don't like to fish there's always a fire burning in the lodge with some kind of hot soup cooking in the fly shop.

Check out our hatch calendar for Pere Marquette and surrounding waters.