Grand River Fishing

As Michigan’s longest river at 252 miles, the Grand River offers a urban fishing experience that’s unique in Michigan, from drifting the remote sections of Lowell and Ada for smallmouth bass and northern pike, to the fast action of chasing steelhead in a jet boat through the rapids and under the skyscrapers of downtown Grand Rapids. This urban/remote combination provides the angler with plenty of opportunity to catch multiple species of fish as well such as salmon, largemouth bass, walleye and the occasional muskie. Many sections of the river offer solitude from crowds, boats and other fisherman.

The river starts in Hillsdale County, flows to Grand Rapids and to its outlet at Grand Haven on Lake Michigan, with the following major and minor tributaries.

The Grand River can arguably be called the best steelhead, smallmouth bass and northern pike rivers in the state and that’s why we guide on it.  There is also plenty of opportunity to catch other species of fish.  Those species include salmon, largemouth bass, walleye and the occasional muskie.

It’s Michigan’s longest river at 252 miles.  There are several major tributaries that include, the Thornapple, Maple and Flat Rivers.  In addition, there are several minor tributaries that feed into the system as well.  Those include, Sycamore Creek, Looking Glass, Rogue, Plaster Creek and the Red Cedar River.  The river starts in Hillsdale County, flows to Grand Rapids and to its outlet at Grand Haven on Lake Michigan.

Above all, many sections of the river offer solitude from crowds, boats and other fisherman.

Many of the Grand River’s bayous are excellent places to catch the panfish species of bull gills, crappie, perch and sunfish. They are also a great place to ice fish with tip-ups for northern pike.

NOTE: Ice fishing not offered for the 20/21 season.