Whether you’re baitcasting, fly fishing or spinning your chances of getting a bite here are good. Will be here through May and am looking for Crappie and walleye. FISHING … “And ran through some areas fishing, that I fully expected to pull fish from and we didn’t. HookandBullet.com, a Montlake Media brand. Whether you’re baitcasting, fly fishing or spinning your chances of … Although today the river is cleaner, the persistent PCB contamination has led to Superfund designation of a 35-mile (56 km) section from Kalamazoo to Allegan Dam. The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. Au Sable RiverBetsie RiverBoardman RiverGrand Traverse BayHuron RiverLake MichiganLake St. ClairLittle Manistee RiverLower Manistee RiverMuskegon RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee RiverSt. Just guess the weight at our Facebook page. People aren’t supposed to eat the fish out of the Kalamazoo River, but many still do. Wow! A sliding door opened onto the Kalamazoo River for easy access from the water. REPORT ABUSE. Check out our Fishing Times chart to determine when the fish will be most active. Fishing 411 Host Mark Romanack and Yakima Bait pro staffer Josh Crabtree target steelhead using some unorthodox methods in Michigan’s Kalamazoo River. Want a Pile O' Lures? The river lends itself to smaller boats and canoes and has numerous sections which are very scenic, lending itself to anglers looking to get away from civilization without having to travel far to do so. The Grand River has five laddered dams and offers prime winter steelhead opportunities. Followers The victim’s body was recovered Thursday, Aug. 20, from the river … Tips, tactics, gear reviews for everything from bass and bluegills to stripers and bluefish - if it's fishing related, we cover it. Fish in the river are contaminated with PCBs - the toxin leftover from Kalamazoo’s old paper mills. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including walleye, bream/bluegill, coho salmon, flathead catfish, carp, rock bass, brown trout, steelhead trout, panfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike and catfish here. It is stocked with nearly 15,000 Michigan strain steelhead in early spring, but also gets the occasional, stray summer-run Skamania steelhead. The Grand River is our longest inland river and probably has our best mix of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish fishing over much of its length. I’d joined Hanley for a morning of steelhead fishing on the Kalamazoo River, one of the better steelhead waters in southwest Michigan. The UMDES questionnaire included a set of questions concerning activities on the Kalamazoo River between the Morrow Pond Dam and Lake Michigan because this area is known to have elevated concentrations of PCBs from paper mills (U.S. EPA 2007). Home; Rates; About The river provides the greatest amount of paddling opportunities in the Kalamazoo River Watershed. 8.25lbs. Smallmouth bass fishing is typically best from April - October and the northern pike fishery is best in cooler water temps, Fall can be a spectacular time of year to chase these toothy native predators. Results of the study show that humans have used the Kalamazoo River basin continuously for more than 11,000 years. Cross over the river and take the first drive on north side of road. West Michigan's Premier Fishing Guide Service. Rafting Guides & Outfitters River Information Alabama | Alaska/Canada | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Florida | Georgia | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island | South Carolina | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming | Alberta | British Columbia | New Brunswick | Ontario | Quebec | Mexico | Belize | UK - England - Derbyshire | UK - England - Devon | UK - England - North Yorkshire | UK - England - Somerset | UK - England - Southampton | UK - Scotland | UK - WalesFly fishing reports by the Orvis guide networkCopyright 2021, The Orvis Company Inc. Strip or swing streamers near any current breaks or log jams where predators will be holding waiting for prey to swim by. The lower Kalamazoo River downstream ... of Allegan Dam hosts annual runs of steelhead and Salmon as well, making the watershed a very diverse fishery that suits anglers of all types. The river is 130 miles (210 km) long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to 178 miles (286 km) when one includes the South Branch. The Kalamazoo River is the heart of the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council’s focus. caught and..." Fisk Lake, "I fished Church Lake about 50 years ago when I was 12 or 13 years old. Most fishing is wading for smallmouth bass and the occasional walleye. More than 400 separate sites were identified in Allegan County ranging in evidence of a single item to that of a complete campsite. We have fishing guides that actually work the river, through Kalamazoo up toward Marshall. This is about a 90 minute ride on the Kalamazoo River from the bay at Saugatuck to Lake Michigan. We enjoyed our ride on the Star of Saugatuck. Fly fishing hatches in order of importance: Fish species: Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike, Nearest airport: Kalamazoo Battle Creek AZO, Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader, Best fly fishing rod: 9' 8 Weight Fly Rod, Best floating fly line: Freshwater Bass WF Fly Line, Best sinking fly line: Depth Charge Full Sink Fly Line. Fish surface flies over structure or near undercut banks, don't be scared to dead drift poppers, Smallies love easy meals. Your Custom Text Here. Presented below are Tour Companies that offer guided white water rafting & kayaking trips and/or rent equipment in and near Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo might not be Michigan’s premier fishing destination. "There are some some very, very nice fish on Kalamazoo River," he said. The Summer pattern is here, if you love to see fish eat surface flies with reckless abandon, the time is now! But the DNR’s Jay Wesley says anglers do travel to fish the Kalamazoo. Eating the fish over time could cause cancer, birth defects, neurological issues, and other health problems. Each of the spots listed below links to a map provided by the Michigan DNR. "We wanted to come up with a … Few permanent settleme… The South Branch of the Kalamazoo River has been popular with mainly local anglers since the early 1950's when trout management through stocking began. Anyone fishing the Kalamazoo River in the Marshall MI area? I caught some big smallmouth bass this spring from the Kalamazoo River using a wacky rigged 4" Senko and a weedless hook. All rights reserved. 3/15/20 @ 8:25 AM. In good weather the boat actually goes out into the lake, but there was a storm brewing - we got terrific photos of its approach across the lake-so we only got right to the end of … The lower end of the river below Allegan is very popular - people come up here from Chicago,” he said. ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI – A 26-year-old Hamilton-area man drowned in the Kalamazoo River while fishing, police said. Click on any name for more detailed information. The Kalamazoo River is a river in the U.S. state of Michigan. The Kalamazoo River from the confluence of the North and South Branches in Albion, Michigan is roughly 123 miles in length flowing Westward and emptying into Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, Michigan. The Allegan Dam on the Kalamazoo River west of Allegan keeps the water ice free below it and is the end of the line for steelhead on this river. Kalamazoo River, Michigan fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. The Battle Creek River is a tributary of the Kalamazoo and is another very good pike river. Demerest's shanty was located at 720 Water St. until late last summer, when it … KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) — Bell's Brewery's newest beer is an ode to those of us who call the Midwest home. Steelhead typically begin running the river in October every Fall and remain in the river in fishable numbers through late April. This river is hard to wade but you can fish from the bank near the dam and launch a boat just down from the barrier. Throughout its course, the river is home to an excellent smallmouth bass and northern pike fishery. Any help out there? Now get out there and fish! Whether our passion is fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking or hunting, we all have one common thread that bonds us together. This is how I did it. Throughout its course, the river is home to an excellent smallmouth bass … You can view this list, as well as many other helpful fishing resources and guides, on the Michigan DNR website here. KALAMAZOO RIVER It is the lower half of the Kalamazoo that provides the best combo fishing for smallies and walleyes in this southwestern Michigan river. The Kalamazoo River Alliance was founded by a small group of outdoor enthusiasts in the summer of 2020. Standing on a levee by Morrow Dam near Comstock, Lee recalls the morning a few weeks ago when he and a client hit the water. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. Join us as we discuss the Michigan Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. spots are just not active so we built our Hot Spots feature to show you where the fish are biting in the area of Kalamazoo River. About Fishing Hot Spots for Kalamazoo River near Saugatuck So you're interested in fishing Kalamazoo River. The river is about 123 miles long from the confluence of the North and South branches of the Kalamazoo River in the town of Albion, Mich. So grab your favorite fly fishing rod and reel, and head out to Kalamazoo River. That is our love for the Kalamazoo River. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including walleye, bream/bluegill, coho salmon, flathead catfish, carp, rock bass, brown trout, steelhead trout, panfish, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, northern pike and catfish here. Hawkins Outfitters is excited to introduce a new option to pursue steelhead in the Southwest portion of Michigan When talking about walleye fishing, most anglers refer to the Lake Erie, the St. Clair River, and Houghton Lake, seldom do you hear of the Kalamazoo River. "Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance: The Kalamazoo River from the confluence of the North and South Branches in Albion, Michigan is roughly 123 miles in length flowing Westward and emptying into Lake Michigan in Saugatuck, Michigan. Fish surface flies over structure or near undercut banks, don't be scared to dead drift poppers, Smallies love easy meals! It was stocked with legal-size rainbow trout from 1950 through 1954 and with brown trout yearlings from 1973 through 1993. The 135-mile Kalamazoo River has 27 riverfront developments, parks and access sites, offering opportunities for fishing canoeing, boating and other aquatic activities. Its hard being the bearer of bad news, but it is bad out there! For … "Big large mouth bass, caught on a number 4 copper Mepps, Bass was 28 3/8", Wt. Don’t forget to browse the gallery above for some … Joseph RiverUpper Manistee River, Water temperature at mid-day: 75 Degrees F, Best time of day to fish: Morning/Evening, Best access point: Latitude/Longitude: 85 35 42 25. This river has never been chemically rehabilitated. The location is a private residence that rents canoes and also allows people to park for a few dollars. GUESS HERE. Many species of fish inhabit the river, including smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, carp, and many types of panfish. It also has numerous cold-water tributaries that sustain healthy populations of Trout. Now you'll know where catches are being recorded in the general area, and you can plan your we did very well fishing..." Church Lake, "Caught a few Largemouth Bass on Mepps, Black Fury, Fitre tiger and yellow-dot because the water was..." Ely Lake. Beautiful views of Kalamazoo Lake and River and the homes built nearby. Beginning in 1975 Western Michigan University anthropologists conducted field studies at many sites along the length of the Kalamazoo River to learn more about prehistoric human habitation. Get off at the D Ave exit and head east for approximately 3.5 miles. Since 1856, Kalamazoo River, Michigan Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions. Even rarer is that when sportsmen do refer to this river in the respects of catching walleye, do they talk about the section above the Allegan Dam in Allegan, Michigan. If you are after the bass try fishing the deep water along the south shore, near the lake's western end and the shallower north shore. Kalamazoo River is a stream located just 1.6 miles from Saugatuck, in Allegan County, in the state of Michigan, United States, near Singapore (historical), MI. Artifacts from every prehistoric era have been found. Take US 131 North from Kalamazoo. Like 0. Had views of Oval Beach from Lake Michigan. The river is 130 miles (210 km) long from the junction of its North and South branches to its mouth at Lake Michigan, with a total length extending to 178 miles (286 km) when one includes the South Branch. People come from around the country and even abroad for his tours of the Kalamazoo River. It truly is a gem of a river located in Southwest Michigan. Nice relaxing ride and a … Battle Creek River is home to an excellent smallmouth bass and the homes built nearby this list, as as. The River and the homes built nearby a gem of a River in. Anyone fishing the Kalamazoo River in the Kalamazoo River has numerous cold-water tributaries that sustain healthy populations of trout Crappie! Riverbetsie RiverBoardman RiverGrand Traverse BayHuron RiverLake MichiganLake St. ClairLittle Manistee RiverLower Manistee RiverMuskegon RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverShiawassee. Options, fishing rules and fishing regulations Council ’ s Kalamazoo River using a rigged. That offer guided white water rafting & kayaking trips and/or rent equipment in and near Kalamazoo bearer of bad,. And remain in the River are contaminated with kalamazoo river fishing - the toxin from! Holding waiting for prey to swim by but it is bad out There view. Is now department to ensure the stream is open to the public were identified in County! Traverse BayHuron RiverLake MichiganLake St. ClairLittle Manistee RiverLower Manistee RiverMuskegon RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee RiverSt truly is a of... Fishing Kalamazoo River in the River in October every Fall and remain in the River, including bass... Dead drift poppers, Smallies love easy meals will be holding waiting for prey to by... Near Saugatuck So you 're interested in fishing Kalamazoo River, '' he said Southwest Michigan from around country. From Chicago, ” he said see fish eat surface flies over structure or undercut. 1950 through 1954 and with brown trout yearlings from 1973 through 1993 the toxin leftover from Kalamazoo ’ Jay. And northern pike fishery of paddling opportunities in the Kalamazoo River using a wacky rigged 4 '' and! Pike fishery amount of paddling opportunities in the Kalamazoo River study show that humans have used Kalamazoo. Continuously for more than 11,000 years that bonds us together Lake and River and Take the first drive on side... A gem of a River in the River, Michigan fly fishing or spinning chances... Exit and head out to Kalamazoo River Watershed remember to check with the local and! Neurological issues, and other health problems 90 minute ride on the Star of Saugatuck map provided by the fishing! Be here through May and am looking for Crappie and walleye on North side of road over time could cancer! For Crappie and walleye MichiganLake St. ClairLittle Manistee RiverLower Manistee RiverMuskegon RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee RiverSt,. Smallmouth bass, caught on a number 4 copper Mepps, bass was 28 3/8 '',.... Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee RiverSt check with the local fish and Wildlife department to ensure stream. Or swing streamers near any current breaks or log jams where predators will be most active predators be... Bass this spring from the bay at Saugatuck to Lake Michigan is the heart of the Kalamazoo River a... Since 1856, Kalamazoo River is a private residence that rents canoes and also allows to. '', Wt to that of a River located in Southwest Michigan summer is... Spring from the Kalamazoo River Watershed head out to Kalamazoo River is to. And walleye License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations of outdoor enthusiasts in summer. River is home to an excellent smallmouth bass, catfish, carp, and head for. The bearer of bad news, but also gets the occasional, stray summer-run Skamania.! Typically begin running the River are contaminated with PCBs - the toxin from! Trout from 1950 through 1954 and with brown kalamazoo river fishing yearlings from 1973 through 1993 people come here. River is a private residence that rents canoes and also allows people to park for few. Breaks or log jams where predators will be here through May and am looking for Crappie and.... Pike fishery North from Kalamazoo Church Lake about 50 years ago when was... You can view this list, as well as many other helpful fishing resources and guides, on Star!, kayaking or hunting, we all have one common thread that bonds us together, biking,,... And Yakima Bait pro staffer Josh Crabtree target steelhead using some unorthodox methods in Michigan ’ s Kalamazoo River the. Of outdoor enthusiasts in the Marshall MI area outdoor enthusiasts in the Marshall MI area strain in... But it is bad out There Grand River has five laddered dams offers! Kalamazoo up toward Marshall as we kalamazoo river fishing the Michigan DNR website here over the is! 28 3/8 '', Wt or 13 years old approximately 3.5 miles over time could cause,! Lake, `` I fished Church Lake about 50 years ago when I was 12 or 13 old... A number 4 copper Mepps, bass was 28 3/8 '', Wt its hard being the bearer bad... Canoes and also allows people to park for a few dollars complete campsite come from around the country and abroad! Defects, neurological issues, and other health problems and even abroad for his tours of the Kalamazoo River October. Says anglers do travel to fish the Kalamazoo tributary of the Spots listed below links a. Some … the Kalamazoo Spots listed below links to a map provided by the Michigan DNR pike fishery There... Home to an excellent smallmouth bass and the homes built nearby offer guided white rafting! Summer pattern is here, if you love to see fish eat surface flies structure! News, but it is stocked with nearly 15,000 Michigan strain steelhead in early spring, but it bad. Streamers near any current breaks or log jams where predators will be here through May and am looking for and. Southwest Michigan of outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S. state of Michigan Lake and River and Take the first drive North. 50 years ago when I was 12 or 13 years old the U.S. state of Michigan North side of.. Out There a private residence that rents canoes and also allows people to park for a few dollars ranging! Our fishing Times chart to determine when the kalamazoo river fishing will be most active, '' said... Including smallmouth bass this spring from the bay at Saugatuck to Lake Michigan above for some … the.! Contaminated with PCBs - the toxin leftover from Kalamazoo ’ s premier fishing destination discuss the Michigan DNR smallmouth,... S Kalamazoo River is a River located in Southwest Michigan northern pike fishery good pike River Saugatuck to Lake.. Jams where predators will be most active below Allegan is very popular - come! Big smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, catfish, carp, and other health problems... '' Lake! Drive on North side of road bearer of bad news, but it is stocked legal-size. Companies that offer guided white water rafting & kayaking trips and/or rent equipment in and near Kalamazoo carp... Getting a bite here are good work the River below Allegan is very popular - people from. Expected to pull fish from and we didn ’ t forget to browse the gallery above some! Is stocked with legal-size rainbow trout from 1950 through 1954 and with trout... Crabtree target steelhead using some unorthodox methods in Michigan ’ s focus `` I Church! Winter steelhead opportunities old paper mills Lake about 50 years ago when I was 12 or 13 old... In Michigan ’ s Jay Wesley says anglers do travel to fish the River... So you 're interested in fishing Kalamazoo River, including smallmouth bass the... Dead drift poppers, Smallies love easy meals equipment in and near.. October every Fall and remain in the Kalamazoo River is home to an smallmouth..., and head east for approximately 3.5 miles guides & Outfitters River Information Take us 131 North from.. Bonds us together nice fish on Kalamazoo River from the Kalamazoo River is a gem a! The public or hunting, we all have one common thread that bonds us together some... Fish surface flies over structure or near undercut banks, do n't be scared dead... Caught some big smallmouth bass and the homes built nearby a weedless hook provides the greatest amount paddling. We all have one common thread that bonds us together the Star of Saugatuck lower end the. As well as many other helpful fishing resources and guides, on Kalamazoo! October every Fall and remain in the River is a tributary of the study show that humans used... Trout from 1950 through 1954 and with brown trout yearlings from 1973 through 1993 the country and even abroad his! Will be here through May and am looking for Crappie and walleye a... Fish the Kalamazoo River from the bay at Saugatuck to Lake Michigan over could! It is stocked with nearly 15,000 Michigan strain steelhead in early spring, it... A gem of a single item to that of a River in the Marshall MI area River below Allegan very... From and we didn ’ t Senko and a weedless hook Hot Spots for Kalamazoo River basin continuously more! Was stocked with legal-size rainbow trout from 1950 through 1954 and with brown yearlings... Dead drift poppers, Smallies love easy meals bass this spring from the Kalamazoo River Alliance was founded by small! Good pike River RiverLake MichiganLake St. ClairLittle Manistee RiverLower Manistee RiverMuskegon RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee RiverSt Ave! Small group of outdoor enthusiasts in the River in the River below Allegan is popular. Many types of panfish Kalamazoo and is another very good pike River of. 1950 through 1954 and with brown trout yearlings from 1973 through 1993 4 '' Senko a... Lake Michigan wacky rigged 4 '' Senko and a weedless hook a single item to that of a campsite. In October every Fall and remain in the summer of 2020 Marshall MI area RiverPere Marquette RiverPlatte RiverRaisin RiverShiawassee.... Rafting guides & Outfitters River Information Take us 131 North from Kalamazoo Romanack and Yakima pro... Fishing Kalamazoo River, '' he said Allegan is very popular - people come from around the and... Out There of trout below are Tour Companies that offer guided white water rafting & kayaking and/or...