Rainbow Trout in Michigan

Key features: “Steelhead can be hard to identify.”

On the line: “Steelhead are known fighters, making them a very popular species for sport fishing. They are pursued by Great Lakes trollers, pier anglers and surf anglers. They also provide an exciting river fishery in many Great Lakes tributary streams. Steelhead make great table fare and their fillets can be smoked, grilled, broiled or fried. This is an unbeatable combination that makes them one of Michigan's most popular sport fish! Great Lakes steelhead are highly migratory, roaming large areas of the open lakes.”

“During the lake-dwelling part of their life cycle, they primarily feed on baitfish like alewives or rainbow smelt, although at times they will feed on insects and other aquatic life. Although they feed primarily in mid-depths, they do occasionally take surface insects. In early summer, they can often be found near the surface among thermal bars of mixing water temperatures. These areas, called "scumlines", attract insects and baitfish, which then attract the steelhead.”

“Lake steelhead enter their spawning streams from late October to early May. Although many steelhead enter the rivers in the fall and overwinter there, spawning does not occur until spring. The fall-run fish are typically the first to spawn, often in March, followed by the spring run fish in April. Spawning takes place in a bed of fine gravel, usually in a riffle above a pool. Steelhead don't necessarily die after spawning; they may live to reproduce several times. Most rainbow trout return home ”

“Steelhead eggs hatch in four to seven weeks, depending on water temperature. Young steelhead need to grow to approximately 8 inches before they migrate or "smolt" out to the big lake. In most streams, this takes two years. In conditions of good growth, they may reach smolting size in one year, but in sterile conditions they may stay in the stream for up to three years. Most Great Lakes steelhead reach sexual maturity after spending 2 to 3 years in the lake.”