Intro | When to Go | Weather | Time of Day | Where to Fish

Time of Day
For those of us fortunate enough to live close to steelhead water, one approach almost always results in solitude during the prime months. Fishing pressure seems to be at its highest on Great Lakes rivers and streams in the morning. Catch-and-keep fishermen usually fill their limits early and are the first to return home. As the sun rises higher over the water, steelhead activity tapers off and most fishermen return home before noon. On days when I have only a few hours to fish, I time my outing for the afternoon and usually find open water with little effort. The bonus to this approach is that steelhead become active again in the low light of a waning afternoon. Few things are more peaceful than standing in a favorite piece of water as the day fades.

I try to put as many factors in my favor when I am deciding when to fish. Simple things like fishing the opening week of hunting season or the full week before or after a holiday means less-crowded conditions. I avoid weekends if possible.