Steelhead Bonanza
Mysis shrimp are an important food source in the Great Lakes. One biologist told me that Mysis shrimp made up 70 percent of a steelhead’s diet while in Lake Michigan. The fish sure seem to remember what Mysis look like when they run into the rivers.
Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan produces some of the biggest steelhead in the Great Lakes, and the Pere Marquette and the Big Manistee are two of my favorite Lake Michigan rivers. You won’t catch as many fish here as on some Lake Erie streams, but you will see more quality fish. Last fall on the Big Manistee River, Ray Schmidt of Schmidt Outfitters told me he and his guides fished for almost a month before they caught a steelhead under 10 pounds. Many fish stretched into the teens.
The Pere Marquette is a small river that serpentines through the woods and offers great opportunities for do-it-yourself wading anglers. The Big Manistee below
Tippy Dam is primarily a boat fishery. The Big M consistently produces large fish, but it does take some getting to know. Hire a guide your first few times on this water.
Local contacts. Schmidt Outfitters, (888) 221-9056; Gray Drake Outfitters, (231) 652-2868; Pere Marquette Lodge, (231) 745-3972.
Lake Superior
Winter comes early to the biggest of all the freshwater lakes and the water is cold all year. Plan on being snowed out by December on Lake Superior and you will be safe. The north and south shores are some of the most remote and beautiful in the world, but the numbers of fish are not as good as any of the other Great Lakes tributaries, and the conditions are only for the most hardy anglers.
The Big Two Hearted River on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is my favorite Lake Superior river. This tea-colored river doesn’t see much fall pressure and is a strong producer. Lake Superior fish run smaller than Lake Michigan fish, but as the river’s name suggests, these steelhead are spirited fighters. A 6-pound Big Two Hearted fish will pull as hard as a 10-pound steelhead on any other river.
Like most Lake Superior rivers, the Big Two Hearted is cold and difficult to wade. This is not a beginner’s river. The off-color water makes it hard to spot fish, and access in this remote area is a problem. Take some time to learn the access points and get good county maps. This is a great river to float in a small boat, but you should do some planning before you go.
Local contact. The Troutsman, (800) 308-7688.
Lake Erie
Heavy stocking along the south shore of Lake Erie in the Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York watersheds have resulted in steelhead returns that border on insane. The fish are relatively small—averaging from 5 to 7 pounds—but hooking 50 fish in one day is possible. The Grand and Rocky rivers in Ohio, Elk and Walnut creeks in Pennsylvania, and 18 Mile and Chautauqua creeks in New York are a few of the over a dozen outstanding steelhead rivers in what has been dubbed “Steelhead Alley.”
The Cattaraugus in New York is my favorite Lake Erie fishery and one of the most prolific steelhead rivers in the world. The lower “Cat” can be crowded, but with a short walk away from the access sites, you can enjoy relative seclusion and plenty of fish. It can also offer incredible vistas and real solitude for anglers who are willing to hike into the upper canyon. This river is great for beginning steelheaders because it offers several water types and great numbers of fish for whatever style of fishing you want to try.
Local contacts. Oak Orchard Fly Shop, (716) 626-1323; International Angler, (412) 782-2222; South Hills Rod & Reel, (412) 344-8888; John Nagy, (412) 531-5819; Mad River Outfitters, (888) 451-0363; Angling Consulting Services, (440) 846-8864.
Lake Huron
Many people know the Au Sable’s intimate trout water but have never discovered the larger steelhead water downstream. The Au Sable in Grayling often runs at 75 cubic feet per second (cfs) in the fall, while the lower Au Sable below Foot Dam flows at about 1,200 cfs.
The Au Sable tests the skill of any angler. The water is filled with debris left by the logging industry and the clear water coming from Foot Dam often necessitates light tippets and realistic patterns with small hooks. Hooking fish can be difficult. Landing fish is sometimes impossible. Au Sable steelhead are half wild and half stocked fish, but like most Great Lakes steelhead, you can only tell the difference once the fish is in the net—not by the amount of fight in the fish.
Steelhead running from Lake Huron can go only as far as Foot Dam. This is a short section of water—only 10 miles—and the upper half is definitely the best water. There are a few wade areas, but this river is best fished from a boat.
Local contacts. Bob Linsenman, (989) 685-3161.
Lake Ontario
What makes the Grand River in Ontario, Canada, so unique is that Grand River fish act more like Pacific steelhead than any other Great Lakes steelhead. These fish can be taken on waking flies and other traditional West Coast steelhead techniques. John Vaulk (Grindstone Outfitters) uses two-handed rods and classic fly patterns with spectacular results. This is a great area for anglers who want a quality experience without the high price tag. The upper Grand is also a great trout fishery in the summer, comparing closely to many more famous tailwater fisheries in the western United States.
Local contacts. Grand Guides Co-op, (519) 846-8448; Grindstone Outfitters, (905) 689-0880.
Kelly Galloup is the author of Cripples and Spinners. He owns and operates the Slide Inn along the Madison River in Montana.
Copyright © 2012 Intermedia Outdoors
Comments