Something about the first snow of the year and turning on the bite window of our Northern Michigan Steelhead. Not only does the first snow of the year bring some much needed cover up to all the brown landscape, but it does seem to trigger a good bite from our local steelhead population. Here are two clips from 2023 and 2022 showing off a few nice fish the last two years during the first falling snow of the year.
On November 9th, 2023 the Natural Resources Commission (NRC) passed a fisheries amendment regarding Steelhead bag limits. A list of specified rivers and streams were changed from the current 3 fish bag limit to a one fish bag limit for steelhead on a year round basis. The NRC adopted the changes with a 7-0 vote to pass the fisheries order amendment. The new regulations will go into effect on April 1, 2024.
The following backyard rivers were included in the new Regulations taking effect on April 1, 2024:
– Betsie River
– Bear Creek
– Big Manistee River
– Little Manistee River
– Pere Marquette River
Here is the updated amendment with legal descriptions of streams to be included in the new Steelhead Regulations:
Taking a look from above down on the Big Manistee River while we step thru a run looking for a steelhead. Fall colors are about done, as heavy winds have really blown away our fall colors. Water levels continue to be low and clear this 2023 Fall Steelhead season. But we keep grind out most days finding a few steelhead to play.
Grand Traverse Bay Smallmouth Bass