Ohio’s Lake Erie Steelhead Fishery

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Now’s The Time To Fish For Ohio’s Lake Erie Steelhead

Ohio’s Lake Erie tributary rivers and streams offer some of the best steelhead fishing in the United States, and one of the best times to take advantage of this opportunity is now. During the fall, steelhead begin entering streams from the Vermilion River to Conneaut Creek. Fish will continue to enter streams all winter long in preparation for the spring spawn. Most steelhead spawn during February and March, and returned to Lake Erie by early May. This fishery offers great opportunities for shore-bound anglers to catch trophy-sized fish during the fall, winter, and spring along Ohio’s North Coast. The bag limit is two fish per day, 12 inches or greater in length.

Steelhead are stocked yearly into the Vermilion River, Rocky River, Chagrin River, Grand River, and Conneaut Creek, by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife. In addition to the stocked rivers, steelhead can be found in most any tributary stream or creek entering Lake Erie east of Huron. Public access is available in local county Metroparks systems, and on city, state and federal owned properties unless posted. Please remember the law requires anglers to have written permission to fish from private property.

Conditions on the rivers will vary with rain and snow events. Avoid fishing when rivers are dark brown in color, generally after a rain or snow-melt. Water which appears to be greenish in color, but not crystal clear, provides good fishing conditions.

Smaller creeks and rivers will be fishable first. Always keep safety in mind. Ohio’s Lake Erie tributary rivers and streams look benign compared to the rivers in the western US. Do not be fooled! River bottoms are slippery, the water is cold, and currents can be strong. Be particularly cautious around ford areas, where the current may be stronger and the water much deeper. If unfamiliar with a stream or river, always fish with a partner.

If you are just beginning in steelhead fishing, start with spinning gear and bait. Spawn sacs, minnows and nightcrawlers are effective baits for steelhead. Cast upriver and let the bait, which should be bouncing the bottom, drift downstream with the current. If you prefer fly fishing, use sucker spawn egg patterns, clouser minnows, woolly buggers, and single egg patterns. As with spin fishing, cast upstream and drift your fly down, making sure the fly is on the bottom. If you are doing things right, you will lose a lot of bait, hooks, and flies which get snagged on the bottom. However, you will also catch fish!

Always remember to practice etiquette while on the stream; don’t crowd another angler by standing too close, and take your trash home with you. If you don’t plan to keep fish you catch, use a landing net. Avoid dragging the fish onto the bank, do not touch the gills, and handle them gently with wet hands while removing the hook. Above all, get outdoors and enjoy nature while fishing for a trophy!