[sal_jr]

The Grand River is the longest river in the U.S. state of Michigan. It runs 260 miles (420 km) through the cities of Jackson, Lansing, Grand Rapids, and Grand Haven before reaching Lake Michigan. Its watershed drains an area of 5,572 mile&sup2 (14,431 km&sup2). The Grand River carries an average 3,800 ft³/s (108 m³/s). It has several dams along its length but is a trout and salmon stream for much of its length.
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LOTS of great places from Ann Arobr to Grand Haven.... just post the question and someone will answer!

 

[sal_jr]

Grand River Hotspot #1: 6th Street Dam

This is a known and well-fished spot for flatheads, channels, and just about anything else.

It is in a populated area, it is well fished and the stories about it are legendary...

With all that said, I have been there twice but as a spectator, not a fisherman. I have scouted my brains out but since I am not a fan of cities at night (having grown up in one) I just cant seem to justify going there over any of the other lesser populated areas.

If you dont mind city noises, smells, lights, and people, give it a try. The stories alone make it a great place... it is just not a place I am likely to go myself.... perhaps if we do this as a group I will go.

I just prefer places where the only light you have at night is the stars or the moon, and places where campfires wont get you nailed for attempted arson. lol

 

[sal_jr]

Grand Hotspot #2 Freighter Graveyard, Grand Haven

Freighter graveyard in grand haven.

Warnings: DNR Guy HATES CATFISHERMEN AND ABSOLUTELY WILL stop you at least 3 times to check on you. Every time I have gone it happened to me... and I am a really nice and respectful fellow. If you have big-gear and you look like you will be there awhile, he will try his best to nail you. The reason is all the rich folks dont like over-nighters and they hassle the DNR, so as the poop-hits-the-fan, it surely slides down and eventuall falls on you.

With that said, go to coopersville, drive along the grand river and go into the DNR acess site. Launch your boat and head across from the launch to the other side of the island directly in front of the launch. ON the launch side there is no speed limit on boats, so dont waste your time. When a 44 foot cigar boat buzzes you at 3 am going 50 kph, you will not be pleaseds when you have to salvage what is left of your gear after the wake subsides.

On the south side of the island is a great overnight spot but for god's sake DONT PUT UP A TENT- 50 dollar fine for sleeping but you are allowed to fish all night if you want... just dont fall asleep. (That's how the DNR finally got me.) That side of the island is a no-wake zone.

About 2 miles upstream is the freighter graveyard. It is in a marina off to the south side and has an entrance only about 25 feet wide. You can sleep on the old rusty freighhters and drop fish off em for flatties and channels and they are plentiful and huge. Bring lots of gills (no more'n 25 per person or the DNR will own your gear) and lots of crawlers. Liver doent do as well there, probably cause everything there smells like rotting liver... but the fishing is great if you're into consistent 8+ pound channels and consistent 15+ pound flatheads.

That access is somewhere around 88th or 96th street.

 

[bwanatony]

Friday, August 19. Launched at GR's Riverside Park at 6PM, armed with 'gills, suckers, and night crawlers. Found a large hole 7-8' deep surrounded by 4-5' deep water near a bridge abuttment. Lots of logs, brush, & rocks.
Fished a variety of baits, including some of the rock bass we caught, until 12:30 AM, and never got one take.
I am astounded at getting skunked on good water, in good weather, with good bait, at the peak time of the year!

On the bright side, the launching & loading was easy (the water was low enough to back all the way to the drop off), I got caught up with a friend I haven't seen in a while, we got to enjoy some good food & drink (in moderation)- and there we NO mosquitoes!

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to try again...

 

[veryama1975]

Hey Sal,

Sounds like a nice spot. If I ever make it up that far north, maybe we could get together to go get some cats?

 

[Drjets]

Where you all at compared to Marquette?

 

[ittybittykitty]

We are all Trolls down here. Lansing is about midpoint on the Grand River, and it is about 400 Miles Southeast of Marquette.

 

[Sparky Larson]

Where you all at compared to Marquette?

Holy smokes son, Marquette is so far North, I'm not sure GOD knows where it's at. Now, if you're talking Marlette, well thats where I'm from.
But to answer your question, Marquette is about 350 to 400 mi. North of my place.
Sparky

 

[PiscMonkey]

This is one river I'll fish on for some kitty's this year!

 

[PiscMonkey]

Where you all at compared to Marquette?

SW Michigan here tho there is a yearly group fishing meet up in Gwinn just south of Marquette in June.

 

[madiaz]

Greetings,

Grand River Hotspot #1: 6th Street Dam
It is in a populated area, it is well fished and the stories about it are legendary...

I have only heard of it's reputation, but i would love to hear stories. Something about the river swallowing people and what not :crazy:

I went scouting up there last weekend and there were about 12 boats lined up anchored 20 feet from the coffer. I just learned that word i know it as a low head dam. These dudes were lined up like they were playing full contact no pads football. I'm not fishing there because it's way rough river plus the folk and my boat would sink :sad2:

I just prefer places where the only light you have at night is the stars or the moon, and places where campfires wont get you nailed for attempted arson. lol

Totally me too. I fish kalamazoo river in k county and saint josepgh river down in constantine.

regards,
m.ad.

 

[Big Haus]

Ive been fishing the waters below the dam for awhile for cats, and I have never been harressed by the dnr, but maybe I look too scary to mess with lol I have found that shad, minnows, and crayfish, are some of the best bait to use in this area, especcially after 10 pm. I sit on the east side, just below the east quarry hole. this part of the walk is lighted all night, it has benches to sit, a bathroom up a ways, and a convenient store close by. The parking lot is open after 6pm right next to it. Channels around 2-12lbs are common, and flats running about 14 up to 35. When the weather is really warm during the night I switch to beef blood I get from a local slaughter house. Sometimes I will wade out from the west side to the rock pile below the ice breaker and set up for a night. Lanterns, coolers, and gear, I float out in a raft with anchor. I use soft shelled crayfish, one on a float, and the other I will drift the center run. Theres a slight downcline on the east side of the run, towards the begining of the quarry hole. I dont walk this section in the dark! Other than that, there are so many spots to hit down stream, starting at I96, you can practically wade all the way to wealthy street bridge if you know the river. Hey anyone want go out for a night of kitty catching, let me know.

 

[madiaz]

greetings Mark,

i would like to take you up on that offer.
Probably in like a month or so after i get a new vehicle i would like to come up and tangle with some cats. I'll pm you in a month or so . thank you,
I rarely see people specifically targeting cats. Up on the sixth street everyone was targeting steelheads and down here for little bass and panfish.

regards,
m.a.d.