Fishing Season: Early Summer

St. Joseph River - MI

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

75

Kory Boozer's Tip of the Week

As we move away from the full moon, the Crayfish molt that coincided with it and the multitude of big bugs that Smallies love to eat increase in numbers along the river, the surface bite is sure to pick up big time! Add in this extreme heat in the forecast, the fact the river is clearing and dropping daily, you have the perfect recipe for GREAT angling opportunities here in Southwest Michigan!

Directions open in app

Map of St. Joseph River

Water Flow Data

Tidal Conditions

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Muskegon River Lodge
Hawkins Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 6/12/17

As we move away from the full moon, the Crayfish molt that coincided with it and the multitude of big bugs that Smallies love to eat increase in numbers along the river, the surface bite is sure to pick up big time! Add in this extreme heat in the forecast, the fact the river is clearing and dropping daily, you have the perfect recipe for GREAT angling opportunities here in Southwest Michigan!

Techniques & Tips as of 6/12/17

Strip or swing streamers near any current breaks or log jams where predators will be holding waiting for prey to swim by...

Local Species Available Early Summer

  • Fish Icon

    Smallmouth Bass

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    Largemouth Bass and Northern Pike

Kory Boozer's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Steak N Eggs Black 4-6
Steelhead Hammer Black 6
Meg A Egg Sucking Leech Purple 4
May's Full Motion Crayfish Natural 2
Supinski's Purple Haze Intruder Purple/Black 2/0
Joe Shad White/Grey 1
Schmidt's Junk Yard Dog Tan/Brown 2
Lynch's Double D Streamer White/Pearl 4
Bad Hair Day Tan/Brown 1
Stinger Sculpin Olive 1

Steak N Eggs

Stock up on your salmon egg flies for the fall when fish are hungry for a big meal.

2.99

Item #99PA

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Kory Boozer's Recommended Gear

Description: About St. Joseph River

The St. Joseph River is arguably the most diverse watershed in the Great Lakes region, with World Class warm, cool and cold water fisheries there truly is something for everyone year round here on the Joe. The Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike populations have boomed in the past decade thanks to baitfish populations in the reservoirs increasing exponentially. There is excellent resident Brown Trout opportunities on the cold water tributaries that flow into the main river giving everyone from mousing junkies to dry fly aficionados something to do. With a five hydro dam fish ladder system, it carries Steelhead, Coho Salmon and Lake Run Brown Trout for 48 miles to Mishawaka, Indiana. Peak angling opportunities for Steelhead are during the Fall and Winter. Lake Run Brown Trout while not as common as they once were can be caught during the Fall and Coho Salmon peak in the river during September. Unlike the Coho Salmon runs to the North, they tend to run early here on the Joe and are usually very aggressive eating stripped streamers with reckless abandon!

Nearest Airport:

South Bend, Indiana SBN

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon/Evening

Best Stretch:

Three Rivers to Lake Michigan

Best Access:

Mottville, Niles, Buchanan, Berrien Springs