Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead and Salmon Fishing Michigan steelhead fishing is some of the best in the world. The Manistee, Pere Marquette and Betsie Rivers all have good runs of both wild and planted steelhead, check out our river reports. We pursue this mighty gamefish, the Michigan steelhead, primarily with a swung fly, spey fishing or indicator fishing with a switch rod. Michigan steelhead are available to fly anglers almost every month of the year. The prime months begin in the fall (fly fishing for fall steelhead) sometime around September and run through April. On any day during these times Michigan steelhead may be encountered. They start moving in to the river in late September most years and in October, November and December they are at their finest. Hungry, fast and acrobatic Michigan steelhead provide their best action of the year. In winter, even though water temps are couple of degrees above freezing these fish eat readily and fight mightily. As spring gets going Michigan steelhead begin their spawning ritual. After spawning they work their way out to Lake Michigan (hopefully) to begin the cycle all over again. Fly fishing for Manistee River Steelhead is possible from September through April. March, April and September through December being prime time. All of our guides fish for steelhead more than 100 days a year. Therefore whether swinging a fly or dead drifting an egg pattern, we know where steelhead are. In Great Lakes tributaries King Salmon, Coho, Pink and Atlantic salmon are all available to fly anglers in Northern Michigan. Hawkins Outfitters guides are equipped to guide anglers for all of these species in late summer through fall. Hawkins Outfitters, Orvis Endorsed Guide Service of the Year winner specializes in fly fishing Northern Michigan. We practice strictly catch and release fishing. Want to learn how to fly fish, increase your skills or maybe teach your child? Hawkins Outfitters can help you do it.