As the ice begins to melt, and the early morning sun warms the air, our thoughts drift into one direction, chrome bullet early Spring Steelhead in the rivers of Western Michigan.
Dream streams like the Big Manistee, Pere Marquette, White, and the Muskegon River start to swell, and flows increase with the melt snow. Temperatures begin to warm, drawing anadromous Rainbow Trout - Little Manistee Strain Steelhead, into the mouth of these great rivers. Longer days, and moon phases draw steelhead into these rivers like a magnet.
For steelhead fishing anglers in the mid-west, late February, March, and April offer some of the best fishing available for migratory species. Covering many miles of river each day, steelhead are on a mission!
Primary Food Sources: Steelhead crave Stone Flies & Eggs
Examples of the prevalent nymphs are hex nymphs, stone fly nymphs, midge larvae, and green caddis larvae. These nymphs and very common in Michigan rivers, therefore provide the bulk of their food source. Anglers can score steelhead and trout big time when fishing representative flies. Steelhead are especially selective towards small black stones flies in early spring. Huge masses of stones climb onto the shore line. Steelhead gorge on the these during mid day and afternoon.
Naturally occurring eggs supplies are not as common in the early spring, however, they are like crack to steelhead! They are loaded with protein and an easy meal. There are is almost always something spawning during the spring. Whether it's late Fall Steelhead spawning early, Skamania Steelhead, or late season Brown trout, eggs can be available. Egg patterns, and trout beads represent eggs very well. Keep your colors natural and should hit some fish!
Steelhead love eggs above all others!
Opportunity foods for Steelhead consist of less common items, suck as minnows, crayfish, leaches, basic foods that aren't as common or require more energy to catch. Many of the sources can be replicated with the swung fly. Steelhead and trout that take these foods are usually more aggressive so big swung work well. Focus your energy casting or swinging against the bank or drop ledges.
Most opportunity foods are within ten feet of the banks or shoreline.
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| Baitfish such as Goby and great opportunity foods for steelhead. |
Thinking about food sources for steelhead and trout, they can help and score big time!
Use flies or baits that are small and offer a realistic approach to the food the fish are keyed up on.
