W e usually do pretty well on steelhead during the month of February on the Grand River. You have to pick and choose your days on the Grand because if we have extremely cold weather and snow, the river can lock up with ice. If the river is ice and slush free the fishing can be great. The 6th Street Dam area is usually an area that will remain ice-free after it freezes above and or below the dam area and if you do not feel like wading it you can always fish off from the post office or quarry hole walls. You can use a variety of methods if you want to catch Grand River steelhead in the winter.
Plug fishing is also a popular way to target winter steelhead, I prefer the more subtle colors when the water is clear in the winter and if you have some color to the water don’t hesitate to put out some brighter colored plugs. Float fishing is another good way to catch steelhead. Try floating jigs tipped with waxworms or spawn for cold-water steelhead. Bottom bouncing spawn, flies, or wobble glos will get you into fish as well. Tossing around spinners or crankbaits will sometimes be the ticket to wake up those cold, lethargic winter fish and it is always fun to feel a big wintered steelhead grab hold of your lure. If you do get out on the rivers this winter use caution as going into the water is not very forgiving this time or year.