Northern Michigan Fishing Report – Steelhead & Trout Conditions | February 19, 2026

February 19, 2026

Steelhead, Trout & Seasonal Conditions Update

Overview

The February thaw has been an incredible boost to the winter fishing and a welcome reprieve from the bitter cold and snow we have been experiencing over the past several weeks.  It feels great to get back out on the river and take advantage of the warm temperatures and rising water.  Weather like this gives those of us who live in Northern Michigan hope that spring is just around the corner.

The local rivers are rising and the fish have been moving.  With the warm up, we were able to get out this week and put a bend in the rod and get the net wet more than a few times.  We love this taste of spring-like weather and it seems that the fish do too! 

There seemed to be pockets of fish and when you found those spots, you could get a few fish out of that run or deep pocket. Fish have been coming to the swung fly as well and during these warm up periods, it is the perfect time to get out on the river and shake those winter blues.

River Conditions Snapshot

Water Temps:

  • Larger Rivers: 34º-36ºF

  • Smaller Streams: 34º-36ºF

Flow Levels:

  • Above average & rising

  • A recent warming trend & rain (thunderstorms too) have rivers on the rise.

Water Clarity:

  • Even with rising water, clarity should still be mostly clear this time of year.

Weather Outlook:

  • It looks like we'll enjoy one more day of warmer day time temperatures before dropping back into a more typical pattern with highs between 20º-30ºF. Expect to see some rain and snow as we move into the weekend. Traverse City, MI Weather

Steelhead Report

Steelhead fishing this week has seen a big improvement. Fish are primarily holding in runs and deep pockets. Don't be afraid to keep moving to find productive water this time of year.

What’s Working:

  • Egg Patterns - Both bright & natural colors have been productive as light & water conditions change throughout the day. Orange & yellow beads, clown eggs, and large rag eggs.

  • Hex Nymphs - A good sized offering for lethargic fish, this is a great pattern for sections of water with sandy & mucky bottoms.

  • Caddis & Stonefly Nymphs - The perfect addition to an egg pattern in sections of rive with rocky bottoms.

  • Let us pick you out some flies! We offer selections of our favorite egg patterns and our favorite steelhead nymph patterns

Techniques Producing:

  • Indicator nymphing in slower seams

  • Tight-line/Bottom-bouncing/Chuck & Duck presentations in moderate depth

  • Swung Fly - slow swings with a long "hang-down" 

Take advantage of this seasonal warmup on the Boardman, Betsie, and Manistee River. Be sure you're aware of seasonal closures and regulations when you're on the water.

Manistee River

Fishing has been solid from Tippy Dam down to the lake with most of the fish holding in the soft, winter type runs and tailouts.  There seems to be a good number of fresh fish showing up and we have been seeing a good number of adult fish as opposed to many of the skippers we were seeing in the fall and early winter.  There are winter fish in the system and from what we have seen over the past week, the spring run should be great.  The fish were loving orange and yellow colored beads, clown eggs, rag eggs, and we found fish on black stonefly patterns and hex patterns yesterday.  It is always good to have some steelhead buggers, fry patterns and green caddis in your fly box for this time of year,  

Betsie River

The Betsie River is rapidly rising and this warm up will be bringing some fresh Steelhead on this river system.  Good reports from Homestead Dam down and there are fish spread out through the system from Kurick Road down to the Lower River Road access. The Betsie is a great river to wade and a perfect spot to explore on foot.  The Betsie can be a great little river to run a floating line and indicator or swing for fish with a single hand or two hand rod.  

Boardman River

Right in downtown Traverse City, the Boardman River has been seeing fresh fish moving in and out over the past 10 days and as I was walking back from lunch yesterday, I saw a nice fish porpoise in Kids Creek right by the shop.  (Bear in mind Kids Creek and the other area creeks are all closed to fishing until the last Saturday in April.)  Fishing has been good and a couple of customers landed fish on their lunch break this week.  Float fishing and swinging really are the most effective ways to fish this river.  

Trout Report

Early-season trout activity has been slow. Most fish are still holding in slower winter water and can be very difficult to entice even with the best presentations.

Subsurface Patterns:

  • Prince Nymph – A pattern we rarely leave home without. This stonefly imitation is great for dredging thought deep winter water where our trout rest.

  • Hare's Ear Nymph - A classic for a good reason, this pattern is an excellent mayfly imitation but will also be taken as a caddis or stonefly depending on the color scheme.

  • Wooly Bugger - The ultimate utilitarian fly, fish this fly on a dead drift, swung or stripped.

Midday windows have been the most productive, especially when we get a few warm days in a row. Pick the best time to be out on the water and get some fresh air while knocking all the rust off your cast.

What We’re Seeing in the Shop

Anglers preparing for upcoming trips are focusing on:

If you’re planning a trip in the next week or two, dialing in fly size and depth has made the biggest difference.

Seasonal Outlook

As we move deeper into March, expect:

  • Gradual increases in trout activity. If the weather is right, nymphing and streamer fishing can be productive during the warmest parts of the day.

  • More consistent steelhead movement with warming trends. Many anglers wait too long to get out and chase Spring steelhead. The past few years, early season (February/March) has been very productive.

The next 2–3 weeks in Northern Michigan are typically a back-and-forth between warming trends and cold stretches. Staying adaptable will be key to finding success on the water.

Planning a Trip?

Stop by the shop or give us a call if you’re heading out. We’re happy to help fine-tune flies, leaders, and talk current river conditions.

Now is the time to get your spring and summer trips on the books.  We have March and April dates open for spring steelhead and it is not too early to think of May and June dates for trout!  Give us a call at 231-933-4730 and get your spot on the calendar for the coming season.

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