Steelhead are one of the most challenging and exciting fish to pursue with a fly rod. Deceptive takes, lightning-bolt runs and flashy jumps are just a few of the reasons “steelheaders” are so dedicated to their favorite fish.

Minnesota’s North Shore is home to dozens of fast-moving, rocky-bottom streams which take runs of Steelhead from Lake Superior, primarily in April and May. Drift-fishing flies with plenty of sinker weight is productive when the flow is high from snowmelt or rain, while floating lines and sink-tips will work well in low water, or wading in Lake Superior near a river mouth. All wild (unclipped) Steelhead must be released.

Wisconsin’s Steelhead Streams are found scattered along Lake Superior’s south shore and Lake Michigan’s western shore. These rivers have a lower gradient than Minnesota’s Steelhead rivers, and are a great place to try either nymph-fishing techniques or swinging streamers on a sink-tip.

We suggest using an 8-weight rod, 9-10 feet long, paired with a good quality disc-drag fly reel for Steelhead. The fly angler stocks everything you need to tackle Great Lakes Steelhead with a fly.