Michigan is one of the most desirable Steelhead locations to visit and for good reason. Countless river systems to explore, big runs of fish and a combination of quality and quantity that is hard to beat almost anywhere else in the country. That being said, figuring out when you can go and when the best time to go can be difficult, especially if you aren’t from the area. There are four major Steelhead seasons in Michigan and each one provides its own list of pros and cons.
We will start by looking at the fall season for steelhead. For many it is the most exciting and craved season of the year, the iconic steelhead fights with big runs and jaw dropping acrobatics you picture in your head are likely painted during the fall season. It starts early to mid October and depending on the weather these patterns carry into December. The pros to fall steelhead are plentiful. The water temps are perfect at this time, these fish are fresh out of the lake and gorging on salmon eggs, offering some of the most exciting and impressive battles of the year. The weather here in Michigan is usually nice during this season as well. The leaves have changed colors offering a beautiful setting, mornings can be crisp and rain is often in the forecast but overall the weather is enjoyable, especially considering we all know there's freezing temps and snow in the near future. One of the negatives to fall is everything listed above, it’s an incredible season with nice weather which means there will be plenty of other traffic on the water with you. It is typically not as busy as the spring run and it is a bit easier to get away from the crowds but generally it is going to be a higher traffic season whether you are in a boat or fishing from shore. Another we can run into if we are having a well fall is rivers blowing out. Too much water can create difficulties on certain rivers, leading to muddy conditions and fish being scattered. This results in either hitting the road and changing location or rescheduling your trip.
Next comes our winter season, probably my personal favorite. Around mid December, Cold temps start to set in, the crowds start to thin out, the snow covered banks offer a surreal landscape and if you know where to look, the fish are very predictable in their winter holding places. The winter offers great opportunity at great numbers while enjoying the river with far less people, some days only seeing another boat or two if any at all. Some of the cons of winter are about what you would expect. Cold temps can make it hard on some people to want to walk the banks or laid up in the boat and go for a ride, however with the right layers and if you’re in a boat, a heater will help wash with that. That isn’t the only difficulty the cold weather brings. If we have very cold temps for a duration of time certain rivers will completely freeze over and some will be riddled with shelf ice which can also be problematic. If you’re planning a trip in the river be sure to keep an eye on the weather and call around to some local tackle shops or confirm with your guide that the river is fishable. All in all, winter is an awesome opportunity to enjoy the river to yourself and put your hands on some awesome fish.
The spring season is the most hyped up run there is for steelhead fishing. Around mid to late February fish start pushing in big numbers to reach their spawning grounds to do their thing before heading back out to the lake around Mid April-May. The pros to spring fishing is the weather is usually starting to take a turn for the better, there should be a ton of fish in the river and they should be very concentrated, providing opportunities at big number days. The biggest negative to spring fishing is the crowds. This is the highest traffic season, which makes for very early mornings to lock in a good spot and often time spending the majority of your day there. For some people that is a good thing and for some not so much. Either way, the crowds can be tough to work around.
The last steelhead season we will talk about is the most unpredictable and the least targeted, the summer season. Summer run steelhead are an incredible fish, the speed, power and acrobatics are unreal. Some of the negatives to summer is that it is the most unpredictable season when it comes to river fishing for them. For one they don’t run every river, only certain places get them. They are also notorious for moving a lot so unless there is a dam or some sort of cold creek to keep them concentrated, staying on them can be tough and it is very much a timing game. One of the last negatives is the water temperatures, creeks and rivers are very warm in the summer, not ideal for a steelhead or any kind of trout, this can not only make them difficult to get biting but it also makes releasing them very tough. At times you can even see an angler lose a fish and find it floating down river later with nothing can be done sometimes. The safest and best way to target these fish is from a pier, watch for the right conditions and they will be there, and likely biting. When fishing summer runs plan on being extremely careful with them, running heavier gear for quick fights, don’t take them out of the water, even for a picture, and make the release as safe and quick as possible. In all reality if you are fishing for summer fish, plan on taking home what you catch, which can be a positive or negative depending on the person.
The midwest offers a variety of different seasons and opportunities to target these incredible fish almost all year round. Every season has it’s pros and cons but every season is a blast and worth enjoying when you get the opportunity.
Recommended Articles:
Selecting the Best Steelhead Float: https://www.getbentguideservicemi.com/post/steelhead-floats-selecting-the-best-one
Winter Steelhead Tips and Tricks (https://www.getbentguideservicemi.com/post/how-to-catch-winter-steelhead-winter-steelhead-fishing-tips)
Selecting the Best Float Rod: (https://www.getbentguideservicemi.com/post/what-is-the-best-rod-for-float-fishing-steelhead)
John Wielinga
Get Bent Guide Service
269-277-9293
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