Winter Steelhead Fishing Michigan / Float Fishing For Rainbow Trout / Big Steelhead Fishing

In this Michigan fishing video I am winter steelhead fishing in Michigan and for once I caught a big steelhead! It was probably my biggest steelhead yet other than maybe the big steelhead I caught in the spring. As is my usual thing lately I am float fishing for rainbow trout and steelhead with my centerpin rod and reel setup. This was my first monster steelhead under a float and with a centerpin so It goes down as an epic catch in my book and centerpin fishing for steelhead is becoming my new preference. I may still be on the search for a 20 lb steelhead but I am starting to be able to produce some big steelhead while fishing Michigan rivers! I spent this fall float fishing for rainbow trout so I could have a chance to get the feel for centerpin fishing and I even did some pike fishing to get the feel for fighting big fish on a centerpin reel but nothing prepared me for the battle with this big steelhead.

Steelhead fishing Michigan is something I look forward to all year and even just one nice big buck steelhead makes all the trips worth the effort. Michigan steelhead fishing takes some finess, tolerance to cold weather and patience but It is worth the reward of landing a big steelhead.

I have another Michigan winter steelhead fishing video coming out shortly after this video so make sure to subscribe for more Michigan steelhead fishing videos. I guarantee you will be seeing plenty more Michigan steelhead fishing videos from Reel Michigan Anglers.

It is no secret in the world of steelhead fishing that there are two distinct runs of steelhead. Appropriately termed “winter-run” and “summer-run” steelhead, it is a fair assumption that winter-run fish enter the freshwater system during the winter months, while summer-runs begin their migration earlier in the year during the spring and summer.

Beginning as early as November and continuing through May, winter-run fish enter the system at a relatively developed stage of maturation. Their bellies are robust; their time scarce and their attention concentrated.

Upon entering freshwater and undergoing the transition from saltwater to freshwater, winter-run fish have a limited time to spawn before their reproductive systems are ripe with sperm and eggs.

Conversely, summer-run fish begin to venture into freshwater as early as April, entering in abundance through the warmer months before beginning to trickle off by November.

Sexual maturation in these summer fish differs substantially from their winter-run counterparts. Reproductive organs in summer-run steelhead do not begin to mature until after their transition from salt to freshwater. Historically harvested, it is documented that the entrails of retained steelhead were not only immature, they were near barren.
Mild weather and comfortable water temperatures increase the metabolisms of summer-run steelhead and their aggression is anything but subtle. These differences make summer-run fish a sought after quarry for many angling enthusiasts.

Despite the differences in their migration timing, both winter and summer-run fish typically spawn in the spring/early summer time frame.

Another one of the most advantageous winter steelhead fishing tips and tricks to be aware of lies in the approach. Steelhead that run in the winter tend to be fast movers, generally stopping their movement only to rest for brief moments. This necessary knowledge of their movement provides information upon which you can base your fishing approach. Options are plentiful but knowing exactly to you move your rod or line makes all the difference in catching this aggressive fish.

The most effective way to catch steelhead is with a bobbing or jig method. The main fun resides in the game of tug of war between human and fish. As the steelhead will not stop to feed along the river while awaiting breeding, the fisher or angler must edge up on the fish just enough to make it strike out. Colored lures and swift movement attract fish to strike, and it’s up to the angler to pick out their flies, bait, or lure. Patience isn’t just a virtue—it’s a beneficial fishing method.

Location, Location, Location
River fishing is heavily influenced by the amount of water that flows in a specific area. The distinct flow of the water affects its clarity and water levels. Knowledge of a river’s current water levels will guide your decision as to the right approach to take and the right location to fish for winter steelhead.

With determination and a bit of guidance, you will soon start to understand where to look for steelhead and when to keep moving. At River Adventures, you can experience some of the best steelhead fishing in Idaho on the Salmon River. Contact us today to book the fishing trip of a lifetime!

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