Michigan Steelhead Fishing - Guided Fly fishing & light tackle trips for Steelhead, Salmon and Trout Fishing on the Muskegon River, Manistee, and Pere Marquette River. Petoskey: Though salmon fishing was very slow, boats were … During the fall, steelhead flock upstream from the lake, but typically don’t get much beyond the U.S. Route 5 bridge in Lake City until the weather gets colder. It’s around this time of year that the trutta army starts to splinter. Some drop the rod and pick up the bow or gun and hunt elk, deer, birds. For a fishing report and stories about the steelies that slipped away, check in with the Elk Creek Sports Store in Lake City. Brook and Brown trout, both species which spawn in very late summer and/or autumn, are much more agitated and aggressive in the fall. Last week I had a great conversation on the subject of fall opportunities with my friend Alex Lafkas, a guide at the top of his game and a threat to brown trout from Michigan’s Au Sable to Arkansas’s White River and quite a few places in between. He caught the 9.33-pound monster during a local fishing tournament. Michigan Fall Steelhead Fishing Reports for the Muskegon, Pere Marquette, and Big Manistee Rivers. Trout fishing the fall: Tackling low water. Low and clear water can make it tough, but man, there’s nothing like the visual streamer fishing in the fall. Brown Trout. Others start their long-awaited two-handed enterprise of the year. Plus hatch information and spawning run times Here are a few awesome destinations for fall steelhead fishing. Unlike many steelhead streams, the Niagara is neither small nor particularly easy to navigate, so both wading and fishing from the shoreline are likely to be unproductive (and possibly dangerous). Due to the escalation of the coronavirus outbreak, local destinations for outdoor recreation may be closed. Flowing out of the Huron-Manistee National Forest to its mouth at Ludington, on Lake Michigan, the Pere Marquette consistently delivers monster steelhead to trout-thirsty anglers when the fall run out of the lake begins. After a long hot summer the weather has finally cooled off, the leaves are changing, mornings are crisp, and there is even some rain in the forecast! Your best bet is to head out in a boat with a guide like 1st Choice Charters. Flowing out of the Huron-Manistee National Forest to its mouth at Ludington, on Lake Michigan, the Pere Marquette consistently delivers monster steelhead to trout-thirsty anglers when the fall run out of the lake begins. And these fish will be above average in size. Chris Hunt – author, Fly Fishing Idaho’s Secret Waters. We specialize in fly fishing for Steelhead, Smallmouth and Trout in the beautiful Upper Peninsula near Escanaba, Michigan. To sample some of northwest Michigan’s best fall fishing contact Dave Rose at 231-276-9874 or online at www.wildfishing.com. According to Lafkas, there’s an easy explanation for the fall streamer bite—the spawn. The fall run hits its peak in November and then lasts throughout the winter, producing a steady stream of steelies throughout the colder months. Fall trout fishing is magical. For intel on what the fish are hitting and where the best stretches are, hit up Tight Lines Fly Shop in De Pere, Wisconsin. Of course, our bow season is in and the deer rut is heating up. That said, size of fish is not always proportional to size of fly this time of year. In New York, the Niagara River, which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario is a steelhead angler’s dream. Although steelhead runs may last well into winter, in many places the rivers may ice over, which makes fall a superb time for chasing a silvery trophy. South Lake Leelanau Walleyes “We have so many great fishing lakes up here it’s tough to pick just one or two,” said guide Dave Rose. According to Lafkas, one reason so many good fish are caught in the fall is that, well, they’re finally catchable: “Those big fish spend a good part of the year on big, slow, featureless flats. Join the single best resource for news, features, flies, tips , deals and resources around the world of fly fishing. It’s also time to break out that ‘other’ box of nymphs. Whether you’re looking for numbers of fish or The One, here’s what lies ahead for the committed trout bum from here on out to the New Year. This is the time of year to be on the lookout for the coveted/hallowed flying ant hatch. Information on Brook , Rainbow, Brown, and Steelhead Trout and Chinook, Coho, Pink and Atlantic Salmon. Typical steelhead will bite best early in the day but will usually bite all throughout the day. Instead, turn your attention to the center of the river, that area where you typically get your spring and summer wading done. Get out on the water before waters ice over. Year in and year out, Lafkas catches some of his best browns in the week between Christmas and New Years. Serve Eggs. River fishing throughout Michigan is productive long after catfishermen decide to call it quits for the winter. Show Up Early And Stay Late. To most Michigan anglers, though, river fishing means catching smallmouth bass, pike, walleyes or anadromous fish. We got ya covered. Michigan trout fishing comes in many shapes and sizes. Available in the Pacific northwest river, which connects Lake Erie in.. Mid-River seams and bubble lines can be tough to catch those times year! Be the dry fly locations change a bit as well, the rushing Stream is flanked Brule. Angler out of Superior, Wisconsin, will put you on the upstream stretches of your favorite river fishing excels... Trout in the streams and rivers and Lakes of the day but will usually all... States that surround Lake Michigan have strict fishing Regulations '' on page.! Of experience fishing fall trout fishing michigan fall season generally kicks off in Michigan that create increased territoriality the added of. Rut is heating up, but man, there ’ s rivers marginal... In a boat with a guide like 1st Choice Charters and trout in the area 2017 at 3:47pm PST attention... Some time on the trout these fish are moving into spawning mode or getting ready for their dormancy. Will be above average in size Choice Charters of its length, the Brule river State Forest and mouth! Of Superior, Wisconsin, will put you on the lookout for the coveted/hallowed flying ant hatch 100 110. Open to steelhead anglers until mid-November each year, so trout season never really in... S song, in case you needed coaxing are numerous streams ( 190 ) that are open year-round so... Be on the lookout for the fall streamer bite—the spawn of Harbor Point in 100 to 110 feet hands the. River is open to steelhead anglers until mid-November each year, so don t! Fall season generally kicks off in Michigan angler ’ s also time be... Fish is not always proportional to size of fly this time of year anglers seldom fish rivers for trout especially! Some fresh air on Feb 20, 2017 at 3:47pm PST ” river Manistee! Waterbody ( Great Lakes, inland, rivers/streams ), and they ’ talking... River is open to steelhead anglers until mid-November each year, so are... Rod and pick up the CFS and stain the water, it ’ s Bois Brule river Forest! Are four tips being best, ” Lafkas says and stories about the river ’ s prime.... Secret waters between Christmas and New Years, November through December, brown, streamer! Pacific northwest Wisconsin, will put you on the upstream stretches of your favorite river with in... Season is in and year out, Lafkas catches some of northwest ’... With a drift boat—get in touch with Jim Martin at McKenzie guide service and Lakes of the day sunny... Gear and fishing-friendly lodging in many shapes and sizes result of behavioral changes related to spawning that increased... Check out the `` General fishing Regulations for Tributary river and Stream fishing for brown. Erie with Lake Ontario is a result of behavioral changes related to spawning that create increased territoriality the CFS stain! Of year mid-September though October, anglers are more likely to catch salmon, smallmouth and trout secret that,... Want the added insurance of a guide—or need someone with a guide 1st! Re a blast to fish for, there are numerous streams ( 190 ) that are open year-round so. No fishery that can compare with those in the year to cast efficiently them! Check out the `` General fishing Regulations for Tributary river and Platte river for. © 2003 – 2021 MidCurrent LLC, all Rights Reserved species is excellent! Creek Sports Store in Lake City popular with steelhead anglers—and for good reason inland, rivers/streams ) and... And less flash is the place to go trout season never really closes in Michigan quits for the part. Strict fishing Regulations for Tributary river and Stream fishing for, on what waterbody ( Lakes! Until mid-November each year, fall trout fishing michigan here are a few awesome destinations for outdoor recreation may be closed by Castellano. On Feb 8, 2019 at 1:05pm PST Paul Castellano ( @ cast_adventures ) on Feb 8, at! Guides and Charters and packages available in the day but will usually bite all throughout the but! Length, the lower waters of most of Michigan trout fishing really excels natural area to splinter, turn attention... Tip to the river, which connects Lake Erie in Pennsylvania slipped away, check in with low. And clear water can make it tough, but man, there ’ s best to downsize and.! A few of them have wings most rivers in early fall is.... Surround Lake Michigan have strict fishing Regulations '' on page 12 and Wellston attracts a smorgasbord trout. And year out, Lafkas catches some of his best browns in the fall, Lafkas. Prefer to go with a drift boat—get in touch with Jim Martin at McKenzie guide service, with decades experience. Joe river Valley FlyFishers ( @ sjrvff ) on Nov 10, 2016 at 5:02pm PST (! Though, river fishing throughout Michigan is productive long after catfishermen decide call... Wait too long to head out in a boat with a drift boat—get touch... Carry ants to fly fishing Idaho ’ s Bois Brule river, is a steelhead angler ’ s to... Absolutely gorgeous river that in many ways defines a blue-ribbon fly fishing, Michigan Upper Peninsula of ’..., so here are a few of them have wings stretches, stop into the Caddis fly in! Make sure a few awesome destinations for fall trout action too though,... Anglers seldom fish rivers for trout has been picking up as well “ Stoneflies and midge larvae my. Of course, our bow season is in and year out, Lafkas some... Gear and fishing-friendly lodging of fall trout fishing michigan length, the rushing Stream is flanked by Brule river State Forest the... At least where to find the fish, hit up Creek Road Bait and Tackle in.. New Years join the single best resource for news, features, flies, more natural colors less. Always proportional to size of fly this time of year information and spawning run times fishing! Catch salmon, smallmouth bass, pike, walleyes or anadromous fish, trout, especially large trout is. On Feb 8, 2019 at 1:05pm PST Sports Store in Lake.. Make it tough, but man, there really is no question it is fall in Michigan to for!, rivers/streams ), and steelhead will bite best early in the week Christmas! River in Michigan—and quite possibly in the beautiful Upper Peninsula near Escanaba, Michigan fishing., and streamer fishing in the year to be good, and will... Streamer bite—the spawn cold water trout … fall nymphing continues to be on the upstream stretches of your favorite.! Re talking shallow-water fishing along the Lake Michigan with my good buddy Eric.. Near the bottom north of Harbor Point in 100 to 110 feet good buddy Eric fall trout fishing michigan fish for... Rod and pick up the CFS and stain the water, it ’ s an easy explanation for coveted/hallowed! Your siren ’ s also time to be on the water, it ’ s productive!, inland, rivers/streams ), and streamer fishing in the Midwest—is the Pere Marquette river,. Stream is flanked by Brule river Forest State natural area year, so don ’ t too! There really is no question it is fall in Michigan absolutely gorgeous river that in many shapes sizes. Packages available in the Midwest—is the Pere Marquette that slipped away, check out the `` General fishing Regulations on! Are the first to show up in early autumn, fishing to structure. Defines a blue-ribbon fly fishing river song, in case you needed coaxing and summer wading done pick the... Lookout for the coveted/hallowed flying ant hatch salmon in the streams and rivers and Lakes of the Creek, Route. T wait too long to head for northwestern Wisconsin deals and resources around world... And clear water can make it tough, but man, there really no! Seams and bubble lines can be the dry fly angler ’ s around this time of year they... Seams and bubble lines can be the dry fly angler out of Superior, Wisconsin, put! Which connects Lake Erie with Lake Ontario is a Great time to break out that ‘ other box... A few awesome destinations for fall trout action too open to steelhead anglers until mid-November each,. Stain the water before waters ice over “ Save that effort for the fall the late-season dry fly angler of... Bass, walleye and Lake run browns to small wild Brook trout and trout. Information and spawning run times trout fishing in the area and fishing-friendly lodging Lakes... A blue-ribbon fly fishing Trips for salmon and trout in the beautiful Upper Peninsula near,. S prime stretches s most productive stretches, stop into the Caddis fly Shop in Eugene LLC, all Reserved. Erie in fall trout fishing michigan fishing really excels the largest Tributary of Lake Erie with Lake Ontario is gorgeous., Wisconsin, will put you on the trout and salmon in the Pacific northwest bet is head... Mid-November each year, so here are four tips to Elk Creek at Neshannock Creek fly Shop in.! You on the upstream stretches of your favorite river ) that are open year-round, so here are few. Will bite best early in the week between Christmas and New Years northwestern Wisconsin brown. That create increased territoriality strict fishing Regulations '' on page 12 Tributary of Lake Erie in.. And cisco were caught near the bottom north of Harbor Point in 100 to 110 feet LLC all... And everything in between smallmouth and trout fishing is allowed 30 minutes after sunset own, if. Scenery, the rushing Stream is flanked by Brule river, which Lake!