February is the very start of the spring steelhead migration. Although we have had steelhead to fish for all winter (new arrivals and hold overs) this is the time of year when spring migration starts to happen. Typically we will notice new fish on each water event, such as rain, but more than likely snow melt. The weather in February typically starts to warm thus warming water temperatures helps to put them on the bite more consistently.
The days can start off cold but most of the time ending in the 30’s. It’s a nice break from the frigid arctic air of January which this year has been very cold and challenging for the steelhead angler. By mid-to-late February we have good numbers of fishing in the system and more showing up each day. Techniques used this time of the year are the same as December and January using some sort of oat or bobber with oat rods, fly gear, or spinning tackle.
The water temperatures are still cold and the steelhead are laying in so woody currents where they don’t have to work much or exert to much energy for a meal. With a oat or bobber you can control the depth and speed of your drift to enable you to fish these types
of water.
Typical baits are trout beads, flies (yarn eggs and nymphs), spawn, and wax worms shed on a jig. These are all things every steelhead angler should have in their arsenal. Winter steelhead fishing is a good way to get rid of that cabin fever that sets in, and with very few people on the river and with a heated boat it can be a very enjoyable day of fishing on the Big Manistee.
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