Betsie River-Benzie County
The state of Michigan produces some of the most fantastic steelhead fisheries in the world, arguable of course, but the Betsie River in Northwest Michigan offers some of the best on that list. When you take the naturalistic, non-motorized, approach to the Betsie, that’s when you’ll start to appreciate all she has to offer. It will take only a few bends down the river to start to get a small hint of what this river has to offer. The tugs on your line, combined with the vast amount of wildlife you’re sure to have seen, has without doubt sparked your interest.
My single best piece of ad
vice for successful winter steelhead on the Betsie, especially during these random warm-ups and strange weather patterns, is a “run and gun” approach. Don’t beat a hole thinking you’ll conquer a lone fish and don’t be afraid to loose hooks as you encroach on the over-growth and riverbank. Master your presentations, send them down for a few, and then move on. If you find a particularly active hole, work it, but don’t overlook the smallest ripple, make that cast as well.
As the dirty water arrives, with the runoff that will surely come in the late spring and
sometimes late into the year with these warm weather patterns we’ve seen, spawn bags in oranges and reds run across the bottom will help your action. When the water is cold, the fish will still be present. Minimalize your presentation by switching to a dime size white bag. A small (1/16oz) horizontal jig tipped with a large wiggler (or a couple wax worms) floated under a lightweight float accompanied by a medium size split half way to the rig, is another solid option.
Most steelhead fishermen will have their own baits, strategies, and id
eas for the weather patterns and water temp. My best advice for this amazing river fishery is to be mobile and diverse. Don’t be afraid to try a technique you may have overlooked before. Thanks to Captain Dave at Rommel Outdoors for his insights on this amazing fishery and Ace in the Hole fishing for the great photo!
Manistee River-Manistee & Cadillac Areas
Nate from Steelhead Hunter Charters tells me that winter steelhead fishing is one of the most overlooked sports during the winter months in northern Michigan. Cold weather brings in steelhead from the big lake, and as they make their way up river to their eventual spawning grounds, they give anglers who can bare the elements a chance at a true winter trophy. Whether it’s floating bobbers or running plugs, there’s nothing more exciting than having your float drop or to see a plug rod bend over with the drag ripping line.
Spawn bags or beads are run underneath a float, and can be run with a variety of rod and reel combos. The most popular nowadays for me is either a simple bait caster with a s
mooth drag and a 9′ medium action rod, or a center pin reel and rod. Running an inline float above split shot and a barrel swivel will give you the most natural drift. Plugs are used by anchoring at the top of the run and allowing your lures back 40′ or so. Let the current do the work as your plugs wiggle, and the idea is to lift/drop your anchor in order to work the entire run from top to bottom.
Knowing the holes and depths of each location just comes with time. Winter steelhead can be anywhere from a 5′ run to a 10′ hole. Just keep fishing until you can kind of figure them out. As the water rises in early spring due to run off and rain, the fish will continue up their journey up river where I will bottom bounce beads with spinning ge
ar in a number of runs. This is generally nearing the end of the steelhead season, hence why a lot of guides do not want the river to flood. A slower, gradual warm up will keep the water more stable and keep our fish in the lower parts of the river.
Dave from D-Loop charters says that along with the fall to spring steelhead fishing the inner part of the Manistee River offers some of the finest “native brown trout” fishing anywhere. This truly being one with nature. The presentations are pure and the river system almost seems surreal and undisturbed. This is why we do what we do according to Dave. It’s the whole experience of being on these waters in Michigan that makes the job so rewarding. Customers know and appreciate the experience as much as the fishing.
Pere Marquette-Ludington Area
The Pere Marquette
is very much like the Manistee. It runs clean and clear through beautiful Mason County. This Ludington area gem is not only a sportsman’s paradise it is the closest to the metro Grand Rapids area which makes it an easy trip for many winter fishing enthusiasts. No secrets here, what works everywhere works here! That kind of makes it fun, you don’t have to relearn it all. The fishing so far this season has been absolutely fantastic. Egg flies, as well as nymph rigs, are producing lots of fish. Beads and floats are also producing well. The bottom line here this season is that the moderate temps have made for some of the best and most comfortable fishing in a long time. If you are looking for a great outfitter try Pere Marquette River Lodge. They are great.
If you have a bucket list, then this has to be on it. Michigan winter steelhead fishing is a “must do” before you die thing. Just my humble opinion.
John Bergsma is the Host of the Great Lakes Fisherman’s Digest television show and brings fishing reports to the whole state!