Open Spring Steelhead Dates 2014

April 27,29,30

May 1,3-4,6-10

Manistee River

Steelhead Fishing

Muskegon River

Steelhead Fishing

Michigan Spring Steelhead Season

March, in the State of Michigan, starts the spring run of Steelhead. Steelhead enter local rivers from Lake Michigan and move up-stream to find the spawning grounds. The spring run provides the best number of Steelhead in the river system at any time during the year for anglers to fish. Fishing can pick up in the later portion of February if the fall Steelhead numbers were good and the weather is mild. This season we had good numbers in the Fall, a near record winter, and a cool late spring. Some of the best Steelhead action often take place before and after the main dates of the spring run and very few people are on the river. The third week of March is what is known as the start of peak season (great fishing / good numbers of people).

The spring Steelhead run is a popular time to fish. Cabin fever has set in on most of us as anglers, and the urge to knock the dust off the rods and wet a line becomes strong. Weather can play a major role in fishing in the spring. Late winter cold fronts and strong spring warming trends play havoc on water temps. March is when fresh fish start to push into the rivers in good numbers, and by the start of April, strong numbers of fish are in the river systems and the run is in full swing. The spring run of steelhead should remain strong into the first couple weeks of May on most local rivers in 2014.

How do we fish for Steelhead

There are many ways to fish for Steelhead and no better time to learn how than during the spring run. With good numbers of fish around, the odds of success are larger than any other time during the year. The techniques used vary on river conditions, the number of fish in the river, and the stage of the run, as well as the type of water we are fishing and the traffic on that water. Here are three ways that we fish for spring Steelhead:

• Deep Water Nymphing

Commonly known as chuck-n-duck is one of the most popular ways to fish and is very productive. The use of a running or shooting line (small / level line) and isolated weight on the leader allows the angler to bounce flies along the river bottom to Steelhead. This technique is an easy method of fishing, easy to learn, and is very effective.

• Floating Line / Indicator Fishing

This type of method has become more popular over the years. The casting ability of the angler, presentation, and ability to control the flyline all become factors. This technique is used often for fishing shallow runs and softer water. Fishing spring Steelhead with this method is a great way to improve knowledge of general nymphing skills.

• Streamers and Sinking Lines  

This method is a mind set! Lower numbers of hook-ups, more work, and more skill is needed, but the rewards can be great! Streamer fishing during the spring can produce some great fish, improve casting skills, and give the angler a more intensive day. This type of fishing requires covering a great amount of water and lots of casts. Some of the best Trout of the season are landed during this time period using streamers.

• Flies for Spring Steelhead

Flies for spring Steelhead can be described in four catagories:

• Eggs - Flies that look or imitate fish eggs.
• Nymphs - Local aquatic insects. (Mayflies, Stone Flies, Caddis)
• Streamers - Bait fish imitations, Salmon fry, Leeches. 
• Attractors - Bright flies, flashy, can be hot colored patterns of the above mentioned.

Salmon Fry Pattern

Brighter patterns and larger patterns during high water or low light can be effective. Fishing smaller patterns and matching the bio-mass of aquatic insects and natural eggs will work better during low water periods and in high sun. When fishing streamers, a rule of thumb is fish bright colors on sunny days and fish dark colors on cloudy days.

• Where should I fish to have a good experience?

Fishing any popular river, you will find plenty of fellow anglers with the same cabin fever you have. Using a guide can help to get you on fish, but will most likely not get you away from all the traffic. Fishing low light conditions will increase an angler's odds during the spring run of Steelhead, fishing periods, such as early morning and towards dusk, will help your odds on busy rivers. Fishing pressure is something that comes with the sport, but how you move around traffic and the river you choose can make or break your day. Some of the best spring Steelhead fishing is in the areas mentioned below. Rivers have peak runs of fish at different times. Feel free to contact Jon's Guide Service for local info on rivers or contact your local fly shop.

Early Black Stone Nymph

• Manistee River - From Tippy Dam down to Lake Michigan.
• Pere Marquette River - From M-37 Bridge to Wahalla Bridge.
• Betsie River - From County Line Rd to Lake Michigan.
• Boardman and Elk Rivers - More of an urban fishery but very productive.
• Muskegon River  - From Crotton Dam to Newaygo.
• White River - Hesperia to Podunk Rd.

Northern Michigan Fishing Info for Local Rivers

• River Reports
• Places to Stay & Eat
• Local Weather
• River Conditions
• River Maps
• Directions

Egg Fly

Hex Nymph

Stone Fly Nymph