Steelhead

I would like to give steelhead fishing a try. I know spoons catch them, but what depth would you try? Is it even worth trying this time of year? If so what part of the lake should I try?

I'm not much help, but if I remember correctly, a steelhead was reported this year at the Lake Erie dump, and another north of West Sister island.
For what it's worth...
Fishing Reports and Forecasts

i have yet to land a steelhead on lake erie but want to also try to catch a few.I have read the steelhead threads on Ohio Game and Fish (OGF) and can tell you what i found.The best area to catch steelhead is off Avon in the deepest water near the canadian line. The best time i think is still to come.Like late july or August. They troll fast. Like 3.5mph with spoons and best color is orange. Fish the thermocline and set the drags light.I have not seen the steelhead thread started yet on OGF but watch for it over there.Some guys catch like a dozen a trip or more when the fishing gets good.

Thanks, I will check that out. Worst that can happen is strike out, and walleye fish. Your info will get me started.

Thanks, I will give it a shot from avon, or ashtabula.

I saw a fishing 411 episode where they caught steel head over by Cleveland pulling flicker shads and maglips in like 20 fow but it was in Nov. Supposedly the best time to catch them there is from Nov thru end of Dec.

I may try that if i strike out next week

I'm hoping you can learn from mistakes so I will offer this advice.

First - trout especially large trout cannot live in water above 72 degF for very long.
Second - when trout die, they sink they do not float. That is why you don't see them on top of the water.
Third - gear, use a shock bungee leader or 6-10 feet of mono as a shock resister. When they hit, especially at 3.5mph, they can take your tackle with them.

So I hope you understand all the water in the WB from sandbar west is too hot for steelhead this time of year. A 16-20 incher may still be able to survive the hot water but they will not prefer it.
So yes you have to fish east of the sandbar this time of the year.
Also understand, if you intend to release them after trolling, they will die. Even in the CB the water temps are 77 degF or more down to 40 feet now. Trout fight to their death and have no energy to swim back down to cooler water.

So, Just like with perch, if you release a steelhead and it dies, it counts toward you total.

Tight lines,
Rickerd

Thank you. I am planning on trying out of avon next week. Do you think that is far enough east?

I have not seen the yearly steelhead posts on OGF of the guys that target steelhead yet.Avon is plenty East to get them but might be too early yet.I will post here when I start seeing those steelhead posts.

I actually saw first steelhead post and they said catching well at Cleveland hole.Im not exactly sure where that is but it is off Cleveland near the Canadian border in a deep part of that area.Would think Avon would be productive now too.Good luck

We catch a few steelhead every year trolling for walleye in 75FOW north out of Geneva. They slam the stickbaits when they hit and they jump 3 feet out of the water when you’re fighting them. We have never targeted them tho. I’m sure if we had spoons out we would catch more.

Saw another post that think needs another couple weeks for thermocline to set up.No post from someone that's actually been out there.

Thanks

I am going tuesday, so I will post the results here

I'm thinking a good area to try would be 43/13 area.Think that water is at least 60 fow and approaching 70.If a thermocline is visible on sonar run your lures there at 3.5 mph and light drag on those dipseys.Good luck

Thanks, I will use your coordinates to start out with.

Got an update Jumpmaster? I thought about heading out there tomorrow if we had a thermocline set up.

My big motor running on 2 cylinders. Using my kicker to get 3 miles out for walleye. Limited out in 2.5 hrs, out of avon. Targeting 25 to 30 ft. In 50 to 54 ft of water.

Well dang. Glad you could make it out a little ways at least. Looks like I wont be able to fish now until Friday.

I've never been east of Huron. Where do you launch to go out of Avon?

Ok, got some info. 2 guys came in the fish cleaning station with 5 steelhead. They said they fished 60 ft. They had some walleye too.

Yep I head to Avon and head north to about 70ft. Last year I did 3 trips and everyone was worth the drive.
Thanks for the info Jumpmaster hopefully I get to make it out this Friday. The wind is looking dam near perfect for the long run out.