Late March Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 26, 2023

As March winds down, we find ourselves in a unique situation with the steelhead.

Not much has changed since the last report as we still have had back and forth weather including some storm systems that have left some snow on the ground, but then bright sunny days to melt it soon after.

A lot of spawning has taken place on the Manistee and Betsie Rivers over the past 10 days by the steelhead that were hold-overs from fall and those that came in over the winter. With relatively clear and low water, the strong pushes of fresh fish have been more of a trickle until flows change. The 6-10 inches of snow we received yesterday and how it melts should change things going forward in regard to color and height and making it more appealing for fresh fish to head upstream.

The fish are spread throughout river systems and can be found in all sorts of water. In the clear water, fish have been in the dark holes, pocket water and runs near gravel. Seems the fish are spawning mostly at night and low-light hours as the water has been clear enough to see fish if they were out. Tail outs will provide a crack at fresh fish moving through and some fish have been holding over in the big, deep holes, too.

With more eggs in the water, the egg pattern and bead bite has improved but a lot of fish are still coming on the nymph. Caddis and small stones have been fishing strong, but some bigger stones have been taking some fish too. The fry bite should take off any day but so far there hasn’t been many salmon fry seen in the shallow water so it’s a matter of days before they become productive for the steelhead.

Good luck.

Ted

2023 Fishing – Get your dates secured to ensure your time on the water. Booking all seasons.
Trout – May’s streamer & dry fly fishing turns to the big bugs of June. Good dates to choose from.
Fall Steelhead – Just a few prime steelhead dates remain available in 2023 – finish the fishing season strong.

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Mid March Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 17, 2023

Despite the relatively mild winter we have had, the steelhead fishing is about where it should be for this time of year.

The sun has been shining a bit more lately bumping the water temperature into the upper 30s on the Manistee and into the 40s on smaller rivers like the Betsie. However, some cold nights or winter weather events returns conditions to what we expect for Mid-March.

Some fresh fish have been moving through the river systems but the majority of the fish have been those that have been in the river systems for a bit. The deeper, slow holes near gravel sections of water have been the most reliable with the occasional fish found in the smaller holes near gravel. A few fish have actually been seen on gravel indicating that the spawning process has just begun.

Nymphs have been fishing a bit better than eggs lately with stoneflies and caddis being the most productive. Always fished in tandem with an egg pattern, look for the eggs to become preferred as spawning activity builds and the number of natural eggs drifting downstream increases.

Good luck.

Ted

Open Spring Steelhead Date: I just had a recent cancellation – March 27 is available

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Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Posted by Ted Kraimer - March 30, 2019

As March turns to April we are finding steelhead in most of the rivers which are in good shape as the snow melt thankfully has been slow and gradual. Levels are slightly elevated, and they have color to them, but still enough visibility remains to offer good fishing on the Manistee, Betise and other rivers in northwest Michigan. A significant rainfall can change all that but until that happens take advantage of the conditions.

The days are longer and some sunny days are helping to increase the water temps into the upper 30s. Smaller rivers that tend to warm/fluctuate quickly have a few fish beginning to spawn but majority of the fish are still in a pre-spawn mode and either holding in deeper holes near gravel or migrating upstream in chutes and runs.

Along with nicer weather and a flip of the calendar the rivers are becoming more popular with anglers anxious to shake cabin fever; keep in mind we are all trying to share the resource. And speaking of resources, please limit your harvest as steelhead can return year after year making for good fishing in the future.

There hasn’t been an fly pattern that has been outproducing others – just the typical assortment which includes large and bold egg patterns (chartreuse and orange colors), green caddis and ice buggers.

Good luck.

Ted

Just a reminder that new fishing licenses are required April 1, 2019

Trout – May and June offers some of the best trout fishing of the year matching the hatch and fishing streamers.
Fall Steelhead– It’s not too early to look ahead to fall run of these fish. Hard fighting and a beautiful time of year.
Booking 2019 – Reserve your date(s) and schedule life around fishing rather than trying to fit fishing into life.

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Posts tagged "steelhead fishing report"

Late March Fishing Report

Mid March Steelhead Fishing Report

Open Spring Steelhead Date: I just had a recent cancellation – March 27 is available

Early April Steelhead Fishing Report

Ted Kraimer • Current Works, LLC • PO Box 333 • Traverse City, Michigan 49685 • (231) 883-8156