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Steelhead

Steelhead

Steelhead in Michigan are lake-run rainbow trout that were first introduced from California in 1876 and have become a naturalized treasure in the Great Lakes system.

These anadromous fish migrate from the Great Lakes into tributary streams, growing much larger than their stream-dwelling cousins.

Scientific Name: Oncorhynchus mykiss

Physical Characteristics:
  • Specimens commonly exceeding 10 pounds and some reaching 20 pounds.
  • They undergo smolting at 7-8 inches and 1-3 years old.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Steelhead occupy both nearshore lake environments and tributary streams.
  • Natural reproduction occurs in approximately 24 watersheds, with 30-40% of Lake Michigan steelhead being wild fish, primarily from the Little Manistee (32%), Pere Marquette (15%), Manistee (12%), Grand (11%), and Grand Traverse Bay (10%) rivers.

Key Locations

  • Top rivers include Manistee (considered premier), Grand (largest urban fishery), Au Sable (Lake Huron's best), Pere Marquette (wild fish sanctuary), Muskegon, St.
  • Joseph, and Two Hearted.
  • Rivers flowing into Lakes Michigan, Huron, and Superior.

Specific Spots

  • Target deeper pools and slower water during winter (3-6 feet deep), transitioning to riffles and spawning areas in spring, but avoid fishing directly over spawning beds.
  • Fish the first pools below known spawning areas for aggressive drop-back fish.
  • Lake fishing and pier fishing near river mouths can be productive.

Steelhead FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Steelhead in Michigan?

Spawn sacs, beads (6-10mm in pink, orange, chartreuse), pink/red worms, jigs, small spoons, spinners, minnow-style crankbaits, and plugs like Kwikfish, live bait.

What flies work for Steelhead in Michigan?

Nymphs, e.g.g patterns, streamers (Woolly Buggers, Egg Sucking Leeches), stoneflies, caddis larvae, hex nymphs, and e.g.g flies in various colors.

When is the best time to fish for Steelhead in Michigan?

Michigan steelhead fishing peaks from late March through early May during spring spawning runs, with excellent winter fishing December through February and productive fall fishing October-November. Summer fishing (June-August) targets Skamania strain steelhead.

How do you catch Steelhead in Michigan?

Float fishing, bead sweeping and bottom bouncing techniques, Euro nymphing techniques, Michigan-style bobber fishing. Match bait size and color to conditions - smaller, more subtle presentations in clear water, larger and brighter in stained conditions.

What do Steelhead eat?

Their diet varies by lake - in Lake Michigan they consume primarily alewife (76-97% depending on species interaction), while Lake Huron fish have more diverse diets including round goby, emerald shiners, rainbow smelt, and various invertebrates due to alewife population collapse.

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