Land of Nipigon

LAND OF NIPIGON FISHING

Steelhead Rivers of Lake Superior

Steelhead by definition is a sea-run Rainbow Trout. However, the term is applied to the fresh water great lakes rainbow trout because they substitute Lake Superior for the sea.

Steelhead are mainly fished during the two to four-week spring spawning run they make into Lake Superior rivers. Usually, the spring spawn run occurs when water temperatures reach 6 to 7 degrees Celsius, and the water clears from spring run off. Typically the local spring spawn runs from April to mid-May depending on the year. During the spring run, fish can inhabit streams that you would never think would hold such a sized fish. 4-5 pound fish can be seen in less than a foot of water in streams you can jump across.

A false spawn occurs in late fall with some fish entering rivers in October/November. Although not as many fish enter the rivers for the fall run, the fish tend to be much more aggressive with the onset of the cold weather.

At other times of the year, steelhead can be caught trolling spoons in the larger rivers (Nipigon) as well as the shores of Lake Superior. Little Cleos of various size and shapes are a must for trolling the open water.

Angling for Steelhead during their spawn runs is typically done using “spawn” inspired flies, lures and even spawn sacks/fish eggs on their own. A simple hook with an egg or small sack of eggs slowly drifted downstream into large holes is a typical method.

Some spawn imitation flys for drift fishing exist as well with fly fishermen/women entering the rivers and trying to entice the Steelhead into a battle.

Almost all rivers, creeks and streams that enter Lake Superior in our area have a spring Steelhead run starting just before ice-out (April) and into May depending on water temperatures.