Lake Fishing For Steelhead

A beginners guide to catching steelhead in lakes

By Rick Seaman

Nov 15, 2024

Tips For Steelhead Fishing In Lakes

Beginners

Steelhead trout fishing basics for beginners and novice anglers. Including tips which can be used while fishing from a boat, or while fishing from the bank.

Basic Steelhead Trout Tackle For Beginners

Rod. Start with a 5' to 7', medium action rod, with a fast-action tip.

Reel. Spinning reels work nicely for the vast majority of steelhead fishing conditions. Get a good reel with a good drag system.

Line. Begin with 12# to 15# monofilament or fluorocarbon line. Pay a little extra and get decent quality line.

Steelhead trout fishing basics video.

Basic Lures For Beginners

Salmon Eggs. Small hooks (size 10 to 14), baited with treated salmon eggs, is a simple way to start. Sharp hooks are always important, check them often. Use a little weight as possible, depending on wind and casting demands. Small pinch weights work well for this.

3 Important Tips For Beginners

Tip 1. Steelhead trout prefer moving water. Large rocks provide cover for trout to use while feeding or resting. Some of the best fishing for steelhead can be early and late in the day, especially on warm sunny days.

Tip 2. Match the hatch. Identify what the trout are feeding on, whether that's lures imitating baitfish, or baits that mimic natural grubs and insects. Thoroughly fish the area with multiple, accurate casts, or slow troll through the area. Once you catch a steelhead, there's a good chance more are in the area. Steelhead trout fishing from a boat is the preferred approach, however fishing can easily be done from the bank.

Tip 3. Use good knots and re-tie anytime the knot or line has been nicked or frayed. Always use sharp hooks, if they are dull replace or sharpen them

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Intermediate Anglers

Steelhead Tackle For Intermediate Anglers

Rods. For longer casts, choose a 7' or 8', medium action rod, with a fast-action tip. Shimano, Bass Pro Shops, G. Loomis, Fenwick, Lew's and Abu Garcia, among others, all make a variety of quality rods in varying price ranges.

Reels. Possibly upgrade to a higher quality spinning reel. Shimano, Abu Garcia, Lew's Mach, Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Series and Daiwa are all good choices, and there are many others. Accurate casts are crucial to success.

Line. Line choices include primarily monofilament or fluorocarbon line. 30# braided line with a monofilament or fluorocarbon tip can make for easy casting. Use an alberto or albright knot to join lines. Monofilament or fluorocarbon in 12# to 15# line is a good choice for the leader. In open water, lighter line may produce more bites.

Basic Lures For Intermediate Anglers

In addition to salmon eggs, expanding your arsenal to include the following baits can improve your chances for success.

Spinners. Small spinners are a simple way to start. Rooster Tail spinners or similar work well. Sharp hooks are always important, check them often. Vary size with the size fish residing in the lake.

Prepared Baits. Use prepared baits for all trout fishing conditions. Berkley PowerBait® Trout Bait comes in a wide variety of colors. Form a ball around a #12 or #14 hook and use a bobber if possible.

Worms. Trout will eat earthworms or mealworms. Use small pieces on a small hook.

Small Crankbaits. Small crankbaits can be fished for steelhead, especially in water where larger trout reside.

5 Important Tips For Intermediate Anglers

Fishing Reports. Read current fishing reports from the lake you wish to fish, also review these reports and results from this time last year. Learn how to gain maximum knowledge from fishing reports.

Lake Maps. Contour maps identify creek channels, flats, and depth variations. This information can help you plan your time on the water, well before you head to the lake.

Focus On Finding The Fish. Steelhead trout move up and down in the water column in search of the best available water temperatures, availability of food, and a variety of other factors. Begin the day fishing shallow, medium and deep water in search of the best depth for the day. Steelhead trout also migrate throughout the lake. Once you locate fish, concentrate on that depth and find similar locations.

Keep Lure Selection Simple. Stick to basic colors as long as they are biting, then experiment with brighter color options. Depending on water clarity contrast may be an issue dictating dark or flashy colors.

Use Multiple Baits. Once you locate an area holding steelhead, try a variety of jigs and/or live bait, to see which entices more bites. For each bait vary the speed and action of the retrieve to determine the best approach for getting bites

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Experienced Anglers

Advice For Serious Steelhead Fishing Enthusiasts

Study the life cycle of steelhead, their annual migrations, daily movements, and food sources available in the lake you plan to fish. Our focus here is to assist beginner and intermediate anglers. For those wishing to take the next step, there are a multitude of options for growing your knowledge of steelhead fishing.

Learn To Fly Fish. Steelhead trout can be caught on flies out of lakes, rivers, streams and creeks.

Time On The Water. Experience is the best teacher. Spend time locating fish and experimenting with a wide variety of lures and techniques.

Gather Information Online. Read information on your local Fish & Game Department website, including fishing reports. Review websites offered by expert steelhead anglers, fishing organizations and local fishing guides. Some highly regarded websites covering steelhead fishing include FishWithJD, In-Fisherman, On The Water, and many others.

Have Fun. Fishing for steelhead can be very rewarding. Be diligent, but enjoy the process. Fishing is a life-long journey, and you can learn something new every day you spend on the lake!

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World record: 33 pounds, 0 ounces

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Rick Seaman is a fishing enthusiast with over five decades of fishing experience, a retired bass tournament fisherman, author of numerous published articles on fishing, and co-author of the book "Bass Fishing - It's not WHAT you throw, It's WHERE you throw it".

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