Steelhead Journey in Lake Erie

The fish are moving and so are thousands of anglers. They are gathering in the streams and along the banks of the tributaries which flow into Lake Erie. The Steelhead Trout season is an autumn, ritual journey from the deeper waters of the lake to the tributaries to spawn.

The massive movement of the large fish begins, generally in late September; and when the weather warms in May, the steelhead will once again journey to the deeper and cooler waters of Lake Erie. For anglers, the journey indicates, October, November and December are the prime harvest season and the best fishing opportunities. Erie County, Pennsylvania is considered one of the best areas to fish steelhead, although they can be caught in New York State and Ohio as well as in other communities on other Great Lakes.

Steelhead Trout, actually a breed of Rainbow Trout, were first introduced into Lake Erie in the 1950's by the Pennsylvania Fish Commission in tributaries in Erie County which spill into Lake Erie. As the streams warmed, the stocked smolts sought the cooler waters of Lake Erie. After two summers in the deeper waters of Lake Erie, thousands of the fully grown adult steelhead trout made the return journey back to the Pennsylvania tributaries to spawn.

The original stocking program proved to be a bonanza for the Pennsylvania Fish Commission and thousands of anglers. The stocking program has continued and over the last decade, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat, formerly the Fish Commission, stocks about 1.1 million steelhead every year along with another 120,000 raised yearly by various sporting organizations. Steelhead fishing has become so popular and the fish so plentiful that some call the Erie County shoreline tributaries "Steelhead Alley".

Today, while the fish begin their journey every fall once the weather cools, anglers are not the only people waiting. So are employees of the Fish and Boat Commission who live trap the adult fish. Once they spawn, the eggs are then sent to another State Hatchery in Tionesta, Pennsylvania. The eggs are hatched and eventually the fry are sent to other state hatcheries.

After about a fifteen month stay, the smolts, now about seven inches, are returned to the lake tributaries. The ritual journey plans are moving forward once again. The Great Lakes steelhead trout can live for six to eight years.

Generally, the steelhead, in the returning vast schools, weigh between six and nine pounds, but it is not at all uncommon for weights in the 12 to 16 range. The Pennsylvania State record was caught at the Walnut Creek area in 2001. The fish weighed 20 pounds, three ounces. Walnut Creek is a popular destination in Erie County for both the fish and the anglers.

Other popular tributaries in the Erie County shoreline include Elk Creek, Raccoon Creek, Godfrey Run, Six Mile Creek, and Four, Six, Seven. Twelve, Sixteen and Twenty Mile Creeks. These are called mile creeks because of their distance from the City of Erie. Information on the different tributaries, as well as fishing updates, can be found at the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Website and at Fish Erie. Both Websites contain information regarding laws and regulations, access areas and other fishing information such as equipment. FishErie also has posted all the necessary information needed to plan a fishing trip to "Steelhead Alley".

A general tip for fishing Lake Erie's steelhead requires some geography knowledge. Steelhead fishing is generally best after a period of heavy rain. The smaller tributaries in Erie County tend to clear quicker in a twelve to sixteen hour period, while the major tributaries can take a day or longer. Successful anglers will understand their terrain.

Weather can be a major factor in Lake Erie steelhead fishing and not just because of the geography of a selected creek. Weather in Erie County and along Lake Erie is legendary for changing, if not by the hour, very quickly. It pays to listen to forecasts and to have extra dry and warmer clothing as a precaution.

The Erie tributaries on good fishing days can become "elbow to elbow". So, if planning a fishing trip, try for weekdays and holidays when less people are likely out on the creeks. Steelhead fishing opportunities also exist in Ohio and New York State in areas which border the lake.

Steelhead fishing is some of the most exciting on Lake Erie; there's nothing quite like it. And the fish are on the run from October to May. Even if your not an angler, it is still an exciting and fascinating sight to watch this annual ritual journey.