Identification and biology
A steelhead is a rainbow trout that goes to sea: the same species, Oncorhynchus mykiss, but with a life at sea that makes it bigger, brighter and far stronger than a resident rainbow. Fresh from the sea it is chrome silver with a faint pink band; the longer it stays in fresh water, the more it colours up like a rainbow. Unlike the Pacific salmon, a steelhead can survive spawning and return to the sea. In BC, winter-run fish enter the rivers from late fall into spring, and summer-run fish enter in summer and spawn the following spring, which makes the Skeena system and the Bulkley famous for fall fishing. Steelhead also run the tributaries of the Great Lakes in fall and spring.
Where they live through the year
Winter steelhead are the fish of the Vedder, the Capilano, the Squamish and the Vancouver Island rivers from December to April. Summer steelhead move up the Skeena from late summer and spread into its tributaries, the Bulkley, the Kispiox and others, where they are fished through September and October. In Ontario, steelhead run up the Niagara River and the Lake Ontario and Lake Huron tributaries from fall into spring.
The mistakes that cost fish
Keeping a wild steelhead: in BC wild steelhead are released, and the rules on hatchery fish are set water by water. Fishing too fast: winter steelhead in cold water rarely chase, and a slow presentation on the bottom out-fishes a quick one. Ignoring the classified water rules on the Skeena tributaries, which need an extra licence and limit anglers on some sections.
Reading the report for steelhead
The river gauge is the key: a steelhead river fishes best as it drops and clears after a rise, and a river blown out by rain can be unfishable for days. In winter, the water temperature estimate shows how slow the fish will be; in the fall, the first cold nights often bring the best days on the Bulkley.
Where to fish them in Canada
On this site, steelhead appear on the Vedder, Capilano, Squamish, Cowichan, Skeena, Kitimat and Bulkley pages, and on the Niagara River page for the Great Lakes fish.
Tackle setups
| Situation | Setup | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Float fishing | 3.3 to 3.9 m float rod, 5 to 7 kg line, bead, jig, pink worm or roe under a float set just off the bottom | The standard winter method on the south coast rivers |
| Swung fly | Two-handed rod for a 7 or 8 weight line, sink tip, weighted fly swung across the tailout | The classic fall method on the Bulkley and Skeena tributaries |
| Spoon and spinner | 2.7 m rod, 6 kg line, spoon drifted and swung through the run | Covers water when the river is clear |
| Great Lakes tributary | 3.3 m float rod, 3 to 4 kg leader, roe bag or bead | Clear, cold water and pressured fish need finer tackle |
Playbook by water temperature
The plan the daily report picks for steelhead in each band; the water temperature on each page is a seasonal estimate for its type of water and says so.
Hot water (over 27 °C)
Summer fish in the northern rivers hold in the deeper runs; fish the early and late light with dry flies or small spoons.
Warm water (18 to 27 °C)
Fish the riffles and the heads of runs as water drops and clears after a rise.
Cool water (10 to 18 °C)
Fall fish on the move: float fishing with roe, beads or jigs, and swung flies through the tailouts.
Cold water (under 10 °C)
The winter run. Slow and deep: float gear right on the bottom, swing slower, and fish the days after a small rise in water.
Month by month
Activity for the Canadian year, 1 slow to 5 peak; January is midwinter, with most lakes under ice. Current month highlighted.
Waters we cover for steelhead
14 Canada waters carry steelhead on their species card, each with a daily report.
Common questions
Can I keep a steelhead in BC?
Wild steelhead are released throughout BC; hatchery fish may be kept only where the synopsis allows. A steelhead conservation surcharge is needed to fish for them.
When is steelhead season?
Winter runs from December to April on the south coast; summer runs are fished in the fall on the Skeena system; Great Lakes tributaries in fall and spring.
Is a steelhead a trout or a salmon?
It is a sea-run rainbow trout, the same species as the rainbow, related to the Pacific salmon.