Could we be on the verge of one of the best steelhead runs in the history of the St. Joseph River stocking program?

Perhaps, says Lake Michigan biologist Brian Breidert, noting the summer run is beginning to look “the way it used to be, with summer-run steelhead showing up in July.”

It already is looking that way in Trail Creek and Salt Creek that are jammed with steelhead and more are coming.

“A guy sat at our (Trail Creek) weir this week and counted 132 steelhead jump the barrier in three hours,” said Breidert. “I’ve not seen anything like this in the 32 years I’ve been working here. There are fish from one end of Trail Creek to the other.”

It was all precipitated by the cooler weather and water temperatures. Trail Creek was showing 64 degrees this week.

The St. Joseph is larger and warmer which makes it a little less attractive to migrating steelhead this time of year. However, fish are moving in; Breidert said Bodine Hatchery workers counted 10 steelhead in the ladders at South Bend and 10 in Mishawaka one day this week. The ladders are open for fish movement.

Although fish count numbers aren’t up to date, Breidert estimates some 500 fresh fish have moved through South Bend since July 25. Some 250 were counted prior to that.

“I think this is going to be a very strong fishery for the St. Joseph this fall,” said Breidert. “In addition to the steelhead, I’m hoping the coho we stocked a few years ago make it back to South Bend.”

Bryan Williams of Trailhead Mercantile said the steelhead were stacked below the Niles dam and farther downstream this week.

“Guys are seeing them, but not catching many,” he said. “There’s a lot of fish piled up at creek mouths. The river got down to 69 degrees yesterday.”

All of the fish should be bigger than normal this fall, too. Breidert said they’ve seen some 15-pound steelhead in Trail Creek and big ones being caught in the lake. Coho are bigger, too.

A tremendous alewives population is keeping the salmonids fed while in the lake, hence the better growth rates.

Of course, the catching has been a little more difficult, as the fish are being somewhat reluctant to bite right now. But the fact they’re in the streams – and if water temperatures stay low – the fall fishing could be nothing short of fabulous.

“We’re hearing of a lot of big kings being caught in the lake, too,” said Breidert. “There don’t seem to be many kings caught this year, but some real giants up to 30 plus pounds, especially north of here.”

Inland scene

Cooler weather has kept the fish bitin’ but left many tackle shops wondering, “Where are the fishermen?”

“The weather has definitely affected the fishermen more than the fish,” said Kevin Claire of Lunker’s in Edwardsburg.

Panfish, bass, and walleyes are making the most noise.

Bluegills have been biting well on lakes and the river. Bonnie Kelley of Kelley’s Bait in Lakeville says “about every lake in this area” has been producing fish with crickets, red wigglers and wax worms the best baits.

Crickets have been top sellers in southern Michigan, too.

“The bluegills are biting but you really have to move around deep water and watch your electronics for the schools,” said Claire. “Once you find them, they’re nice fish.”

Darrin Schaap of Clear H20 Tackle near Edwardsburg said the bluegills often are suspended or close to weedy drop-offs. He says fishing has been very good.

“This is a time when guys who like to use cane poles can really get ‘em,” said Schaap. “The long cane pole anglers have better depth control and can put their baits right in the specific schools they find.”

Mike McNulty of Midway Bait said walleye fishing has remained very good above the Twin Branch Dam. He said the fish are coming from 10 to 12 feet and limits, along with a lot of sub-legal fish, are being caught.

Bass are being caught at a variety of depths and seem to be pretty cooperative. The best reports are coming from the St. Joseph River, where smallmouth have been hitting tubes, grubs and small crankbaits.