Pigeon River, Ottawa County

[berrym]

Has anyone fished the Pigeon River upstream from the boatlaunch at Port Sheldon? It sure looks interesting. (I just crossed the bridge and looked it over.) I'm thinking making a day trip to explore. Using a fishing canoe. Thought someone would have some information to share. Smallmouth, Pike?
Thanks

[icedperch]

I've never fished it, but I have heard that pigeon lake is good in the early spring for pike. I would imagine that the smaller ones stay up in there all year. I have heard that the big pike like to stay in cool water so they probably won't be up there.

If you give it a try, let us know.

[berrym]

Thanks for the information. You must be from area. What about Macawa (sp?) river in Holland? Do you know anything about that river?
Thanks
berrym

[berrym]

Whoops. I'm interested in the Macatawa River out of Holland. Thinking of going up river in fishing/canoe for warm water species. Any information? Boat launch in town? Any info would be great.
berrym

[icedperch]

For info around Holland you can try American Tackle
www.americantackle.com

[DaBeuk]

Used to fish Pigeon in the fall - it was usually good for a couple 20"-26" pike upstream from the bridge.

[berrym]

Thanks DaBeuk for the reply and information. That sounds good to me. It is just a "catch and release" outing with my college age daughter. She loves going fishing with her old father. It is close to Holland and looked really nice from the bridge.
What about that huge power company next to it? It doesn't seem to be that intrusive on the river...or am I not seeing the worst of it. Have you been up river very far? How far can you go? Smallmouth too?
Thanks for your time.
berrym

[theweasal]

I've lived with 1/2 mile of the pigeon most of my life. Big pike if ya can get em to bite. Lost one once, he was as big around as a large coffee can. The crappie move into the cement pilings up river (east of bridge) toward evening. It used to be great for perch when I was a kid but don't hear of much anymore. Ice fishing in the river is done near the boat launch. Oh yeah, you can launch a canoe across the road of the DNR launch, or go east on Blair Street, then left or north on Holly drivce and ya can access the old bridge area and launch away. If ya go, go early, use top water crank baits or shallow runners. The weeds are plentiful. Use a tight drag too cause if ya latch on to a bass or pike and it goes into the weeds, ya may as well kiss him goodbye. Good luck
Jeff the weasal

[berrym]

Thanks "theweasal"! Sounds like you really know this river well. I appreciate the info. I'll give it a try and keep you posted.
berrym

[gregm]

I was at GVSU in the early 90's, used to fish Pigeon all the time. Did real good on top water bass in the thick stuff up stream of the bridge (before they raised it). The best time was mid-July on through early September when the duckweed (small granular green floating stuff) got real thick. Tossed frogs and slayed the bass. Ever since the water levels have dropped, though, it seems the fishing as dropped, probably because much of the good weedy water is now mudflats.

[berrym]

Thanks gregm for the reply. Your information is very helpful. I'm going to give it a try this coming week or so. I'm sure it will be a good trip. I'll let you know what shakes out and how the water levels are. I use a canoe with a trolling motor so we should be able to go up river fairly far.
berrym