The fish are in. Illinois lake front action is picking-up as many coho chinook and steelies are in the shallows. Rising water temperatures has had a major impact on our steelhead fishery recently. Above normal air and water temperatures through out all of our region has put the mercury well into the 40 and in the prime temperature range for spring steelies. The presence of these fish indicates prime water temps for our spring steelies.
Suckers are a mixed blessing for steelheaders.
If you see a few suckers in the water, then you know the steelies are there as well. The problem is, fishing through the suckers to the get to the steelhead. The next few weeks will bring some excellent steelheading. Drift a fly and release all fish except, those for the table. An essential component to Steelheading success.