Well it looks like we are finally getting close to the steelhead run here in upper Michigan. After two late snowstorms and temps way below normal we are finally warming up. Water levels may get a little high do to the run off. But in my mind better to start high -then too low. Steelhead fishing here usually peaks around the end of April. Thier is still a lot of ice on the bay keeping the water temperatures down. So I am looking for a late run. The salmon fishing is at a stand still do to the ice still in the bay. The inland lakes pretty much the same. As the week develops and warmer teperatures come in to the area I hope to have a steelhead fishing report for you. Be sure to subscribe to my feed.

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It is good finally to see some warmer weather here in Upper Michigan. A major snow storm last Monday dumped about a foot of snow on us. But I guess that’s what it takes -we are in the fifty’s here today. One nice thing about lake superior and its bays, when it warms up they start to break up quickly. Fishing activity has slowed way down do to the warmer temps making the ice areas a little shaky. Its time to start keeping an eye out for the steelhead to start coming up the rivers. We are expecting some high water do to the run off from the snow storm. But I guess too high is better than too low. I will keep you posted as the month progresses.Tags: fiahing, fishing report, fresh water fishing, lake superior

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Well it’s the end of March. You can see from the picture above the chance of an early steelhead run up the rivers here is vanishing quickly. Due to an over extended winter. However the ice is hanging in their on the lakes and is providing some good late ice fishing opportunities. Fishing here on the bay for lake trout and salmon is very heavy and producing some nice fish. There is also some nice fish being caught on the inland lakes. See the picture below 5 nice brook trout caught here on a local lake yesterday (03/30/08). If you haven’t read it yet, read my article on brook trout fishing in non designated lakes. As the weather improves I will keep you posted on our local steelhead and smelt activity. If you are from Michigan remember new Fishing Licenses are required the 1^st of April.

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Things have quieted down pretty much on the bay. With spring coming all ice fishing shanties have to be off the bay by the end of the month. The lake trout are still being caught in the deeper water. Some salmon also being caught at the head of the bay. The weather has remained cool. We need warmer weather for the steelhead to start their run up the rivers. Hopefully this will start to happen with in a couple of weeks. Smelt fishing here for the last several years has been very slow. I will keep an eye on it and let you know if anything is happening. If you would like to know when the steelhead or smelt start running subscribe to my feed and I will keep you posted. I hope you have a GREAT Easter

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We are looking at 10 to 16 inches of ice at the head of the bay. The salmon fishing has slowed down probably due mainly to the consistently cold weather we have had over the last couple of weeks. In the deeper water (220 to 300 ft ) some lake trout are still being taken. Basically overall thinks have quieted down. Over the next 3 or 4 weeks some warm weather could have us looking to the rivers to do some early steelhead fishing. Spring is around the corner. I don’t know about you, but I am ready for it. Its been a long winter here in Upper Michigan.Tags: ice fishing, stealhead, fishing report

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Just visualize yourself standing in the river a long side your favorite steelhead hole. You have got your shades on and can see the out line of that monster fish. This is the 4^th time you have run your spawn bag by him. You think come on!, you have to take this, this time. You feel the bump on your line and you set the hook-the water explodes! The fish is in a fight for his life and you struggle to keep control-this is awesome, what an adrenaline rush . Many things go though your mind. Is my drag set to tight? This is an awfully big fish is my line weight heavy enough? On and on while you engage in the battle. This fish will test your skill and your equipment over an over again till he is brought to rest in your net on the shore line. You know if you make one mistake he is gone forever. This is steelhead fishing.With the beginning of March being upon us and the weather starting to warm here in upper Michigan I cant help but think of the steelhead run that is just ahead. Here in upper Michigan we could see some activity as early as the end of March(depending on the weather) peaking the middle to the end of April. This is a good time to get your gear ready. Get that new line on and check your equipment over.For those of you that are new to this type of fishing. It is done many different ways. You can use a fly rod with streamers along with a sinking tip fly line or you can use a spinning combo. My personal choice is a spinning reel matched to a Shakespeare ugly stick. I have used steelhead streamers very successfully using this combination. I like to use 10# test mono for my line weight. I use 8# on the lake but I like the extra strength of the 10 in the rivers and sometimes I think that is a little light. Depending on how many obstacles you have to deal with in the river you are fishing. If you have an extra line spool for your reel load it with heavier line and take it with you so you will have it if needed. These fish are very powerful, it is a good idea to have an extra rod and real with you along on the trip.

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The ice is thick enough now to get into the deeper water in the Bay. We are seeing some real nice lake trout being caught off the park on the Lanse side in about 240 ft of water. Thier is also some fishing activity out as far as Pequaming. Be careful the farther out you get the thinner it gets.

Their are still some nice fish being caught at the head of the Bay. Lake trout,  salmon and some pearch.  

Be sure to read my up coming article on bobbing for Lake Trout. 

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Hi, I hope you are all having a great week. With ice just forming here on the bay we are seeing some fishing activity. There is about 4-5 inches of ice at the head of the bay. Fishing is kind of slow but some salmon are being caught. There is not enough ice yet further out to do any lake trout fishing.

Bay in Lanse These 3 salmon caught Tuesday -on a Swedish pimple-not real big but some great eating.

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