Species
Steelhead Fishing Charters
Steelhead are sea-run or lake-run rainbow trout that return to rivers to spawn, prized by river guides in the Northwest and around the Great Lakes. 81 captains and guides in 17 towns list steelhead. Here is where, and the months it is in season where we have a published calendar.
Key facts
About the steelhead
A rainbow trout that migrates to the ocean or the Great Lakes before returning to rivers to spawn. Look for a silvery body with dark spots over the whole fish, including the tail, and slight to strong rainbow coloring; Great Lakes fish have a light mouth and gums and small spots along the tail rays.
- Scientific name
- Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Also called
- Sea-run rainbow trout, rainbow trout (freshwater-resident form)
- Family
- Salmon and trout family (Salmonidae)
- Typical catch
- Washington steelhead average 8 to 11 pounds; Great Lakes steelhead average 6 to 7 pounds
- How big they get
- Up to about 40 inches and about 30 pounds; WDFW says steelhead can weigh 40 pounds or more; Great Lakes fish can reach 36 inches and 20 pounds
- Where they live
- Native to the Pacific slope, from Alaska south to Southern California, including Washington and Oregon rivers. Introduced (non-native) in the Great Lakes, where they run up tributary streams such as Michigan's.
- Habitat
- Hatch in cold, clear, fast-flowing, gravel-bottomed rivers and streams, then move to the ocean or open Great Lakes. In the Great Lakes they usually hold at mid-depths but can rise to the surface near 'scumlines' in early summer.
- Diet
- In the Great Lakes, mainly baitfish such as alewives and rainbow smelt, plus insects; at sea they eat fish and squid; in rivers, aquatic and land insects and small fish.
- Lifespan
- Up to 11 years, usually 5 to 8
- On the table
- Michigan DNR calls steelhead good table fare; fillets can be smoked, grilled, broiled or fried. Washington's WDFW calls rainbow trout excellent table fare.
Where
Where to catch steelhead with a charter
| Town | Captains listing it | Main months | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erie, PA | 12 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Ludington, MI | 10 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Oswego, NY | 10 | May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep | Report |
| Pulaski, NY | 8 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Michigan City, IN | 7 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Jun, Jul, Aug, Nov, Dec | Report |
| Chicago, IL | 6 | Jun, Jul, Aug | Report |
| Seattle, WA | 4 | — | Report |
| Grand Haven, MI | 4 | Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Report |
| Astoria, OR | 3 | — | Report |
| Soldotna, AK | 3 | — | Report |
| Milwaukee, WI | 3 | — | Report |
| Sandusky, OH | 3 | Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov | Report |
| Sitka, AK | 2 | May | Report |
| Sturgeon Bay, WI | 2 | Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug | Report |
| Duluth, MN | 2 | May, Jun | Report |
| Westport, WA | 1 | — | Report |
| Ketchikan, AK | 1 | — | Report |
Counts are captains who list steelhead, as of October 2026. Months come from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ published calendars where we have one; seasons and limits change, so check current rules.
Before you go
What to know about steelhead fishing
Things to know
- Unlike most Pacific salmon, steelhead do not have to die after spawning and may spawn in more than one year.
- West Coast rivers have summer runs and winter runs; winter fish are generally larger and spawn soon after entering the river, while summer fish hold in rivers for months. Both spawn in spring.
- Great Lakes steelhead enter streams from late October to early May; many come in during fall and overwinter, then spawn in March or April.
- Several West Coast populations are listed under the Endangered Species Act (one endangered, ten threatened). Where hatchery fish are allowed to be kept, they are identified by a missing adipose fin, and wild fish with the fin intact often must be released unharmed.
- Rules, tags and endorsements vary by river and state; check WDFW, ODFW, or the state agency for the water you fish.
How charters catch them
- Drift fishing: bait or lure bounced along the bottom with the current
- Bobber and jig (or bait) under a float in river runs
- Pulling plugs (back-trolling diving lures) from a drift boat
- Swinging flies or drifting nymphs with an indicator
- Trolling, pier and surf fishing in the Great Lakes
Related fish
Fish caught on the same kind of trip
Questions
Steelhead questions
Is a steelhead the same fish as a rainbow trout?
Yes. Both are Oncorhynchus mykiss. Rainbow trout stay in fresh water, while steelhead migrate to the ocean (or a Great Lake) and return to rivers to spawn.
How can I tell a hatchery steelhead from a wild one?
Hatchery steelhead are marked by a missing adipose fin with a healed scar. Where wild fish are protected, steelhead with the adipose fin present must be released unharmed.
When do steelhead run?
It depends on the river. On the West Coast there are summer and winter runs, and some Oregon rivers are fishable year-round. In the Great Lakes, fish enter tributaries from late October to early May.
Facts on this page come from official fisheries and wildlife sources, checked October 2026:
Size and bag limits and seasons change and differ by state. Check the state agency before you keep a fish.
For captains and guides
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