Salmo Trutta - Coming soon to a Steelhead Alley creek near you?

A lake-run brown trout that fell victim to a Deceiver 

The brown trout (salmo trutta) has been stocked into Steelhead Alley streams since the early 2000s.  New York and Pennsylvania began test stocking programs for brown trout to assess their survival/return rates in steelhead streams.  Ten years later , they've become a species as heavily sought after as steelhead or salmon.

As a species, the brown trout's require-ments dovetail neatly with the habitat and forage base available in most of  Lake Erie.   These trout feed like garbage disposals, and they relate to bottom structure moreso than steelhead.  Browns feed heavily on baitfish like the round goby, a bottom-dwelling invasive species that crowds out other native baitfish.  Average lake temperatures of 65-72 degrees Fahrenheit bracket the brown trout's optimum temperature range, which is considerably warmer than that required by steelhead. 

While Michigan is at the far western end of Steelhead Alley, introducing browns into Lake Erie tributaries could have interesting results.  These are stocky, thick-shouldered brawlers that readily take baitfish streamers like the Clouser Minnow, Great Lakes Deceiver, and Emerald Candy.  Try flies with an accent of chartreuse over a white wing; like other open-water predators, the chartreuse/white color combo is deadly for these critters.  Whether fished for while on their fall spawning runs (more abbreviated than those of Pacific  salmon), or around the river mouths and bays when winter is approaching, lake-run browns are a fun, willing target for the fly rod angler.  Steelhead fly fishing gear is more than adequate for most of these fish, although the occasional bruiser of 20+ lbs (more common in Lake Huron) will test your knots, tippet and drag.  Remember to palm that reel rather than grab for the handle - your knuckles will thank you!