March on the Grand River is when we usually see a good part of our spring run of steelhead. We will usually have some fresh fish trickle in throughout the month to join the steelhead that have been around all winter but the bulk of the run usually shows up towards the end of the March when we start seeing some warmer days and the water begins to warm up. If the water is low and clear, you can find fish anywhere from Lansing down to Grand Haven, but if the water is high and dirty, I would concentrate my efforts around one of the Dams throughout the river as that will have them sitting around longer and have them a congregated in big numbers.
You can target steelhead in the spring on the Grand River by float fishing with spawn, jigs, or beads. If the water is high, use a larger float so you can add enough weight to get your offering down to the fish. I usually like to use the largest float and the heaviest line that I can get away with, that way I can keep my bait in the strike zone longer. With the heavier line when I do hook a big fish I do not have to worry so much about breaking it off with the strong spring current.
Trolling plugs or back dropping plugs is another sure way to get into steelhead on the Grand River in the spring. Try using Hot n Tots, Flat Fish, or Maglips depending on the current speed and depth. Try the more toned down colors in the clear water and if there is a little bit of a stain bring out the brighter fluorescent colored plugs. Do not be surprised if you pull in a trophy-sized walleye while fishing plugs during the month of March.
Bottom bouncing or back bouncing with spawn, flies, yarn, or wobble glos is popular and catches a lot of fish. When the water is really high and dirty, it is usually the go-to method for most people. Try bright colored egg flies or spawn bags in chartreuse, hot pink, or orange while drifting bottom. Use just enough weight so you are just ticking bottom every now and then, you do not want the weight constantly dragging bottom.
The Grand River also receives a good spring walleye run. These fish are heading upstream to spawn, and March is about the best time of year to catch a trophy-sized fish while they are still in season. Throwing crankbaits, pitching jigs, or trolling crankbaits will give you a good chance at connecting with an oversized gator. The season closes on the 15th for the spawning closure so remember if you do catch one after that they need to be tossed back.
If the Grand River is too high and dirty to fish, you can always check out some of the tributaries of the Grand. You can have some excellent steelhead fishing on the smaller tribs that feed into the Grand while waiting for the main river to drop into shape.
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