Because of intense fishing pressure, the Rogue's steelhead can get very spooky, especially if the water is low and clear. Anglers then do best using light line, small offerings and fishing during low-light periods. Try dark-colored nymphs, single eggs and micro spawn bags. Spinners can be good when worked tight to the available cover.

The Rogue gets annual plants of upwards of 30,000 steelhead, which assures anglers of good fishing each spring. The fishing usually peaks between the third week of March and the middle of April. The Rogue's steelhead average 5 to 10 pounds, but 15-pound brutes are not unheard of.

For more information on access and Rogue River steelhead, contact the Department of Natural Resources' Muskegon District Office at (231) 788-6798.

KALAMAZOO RIVER
"For the number of fish we stock, the Kalamazoo River produces a very, very good spring steelhead fishery," stated Lake Michigan Basin Coordinator Jim Dexter. "There are times when the fishing can be fantastic, but there also can be a tremendous amount of boat traffic, especially near Allegan." The Kalamazoo River gets a rather meager 14,400 yearling steelhead annually.

While the focus for spring steelhead on the Ka-Zoo is near the Allegan Dam, savvy anglers explore the productive water downstream. Dexter claimed there are some excellent gravel stretches near New Richmond -- and a lot less angling pressure. Good access can be found at M-89, 126th Avenue and New Richmond.

Several top-quality trout streams such as Sand, Bear and Mann creeks and the Rabbit River enter the Ka-Zoo between Allegan and Saugatuck. Steelhead often congregate near the mouths of these feeder streams before ascending them in the spring.

Plugs are a good way to entice the Kalamazoo's steelhead from under the plentiful snags and logjams. Metallic-colored Hot-N-Tots, Wiggle Warts and Hot Shots work best. Anglers also score by bouncing spawn bags or back-bouncing with large chunks of skein spawn. Look for plenty of fresh-run fish in the river by mid-March. The fishing remains good through April.

For maps, tackle and fishing reports on the Kalamazoo River, contact D&R Sports Center at 1-800-992-1520 or online at www.dandrsports.com.

PAW PAW RIVER
Traversing some 60 miles, the Paw Paw River is a twisting flow that winds its way southwesterly through the towns of Lawrence, Hartford, Watervliet and Coloma before dumping into the St. Joseph River at Benton Harbor. Interrupted by two dams, anadromous fish can make it over the lower dam in Watervliet and go up as far as Paw Paw. But most of the better spring steelhead action takes place downstream from 5950th Street, where gravel is prevalent, all the way to Watervliet.

"The Paw Paw River is not a boating river," said fisheries biologist Jim Dexter. "There's lots of gravel near the town of Watervliet, and some very good fishing in that section."

The Paw Paw averages 70 feet wide at Lawrence and gets considerably wider as it meanders to Watervliet. Near Benton Harbor, the Paw Paw is deep and best fished from a boat. Access is limited on the main stream. Anglers can try accessing the river at 54th Street, the CR-681 Bridge, Butcher Road, 5950th Street, CR-687, 6750th Street, in Watervliet and off Defield Road.

The Paw Paw River gets an annual plant of 11,444 yearling steelhead and undoubtedly benefits from the nearly 100,000 steelhead that get planted in the St. Joe. Many of the Paw Paw River's tributaries also contribute steelhead to the system via natural reproduction.

Several tactics will fool the Paw Paw's steelies. Most anglers roll spawn, but chucking hardware can be a good tactic for covering water and steering rampaging rainbows away from the brush that is common in the river.

For more information on steelheading opportunities on the Paw Paw River, contact the Southern Lake Michigan Management at (269) 685-5851.

MUSKEGON RIVER
From Croton Dam to Newaygo, the Muskegon River may boast the finest stretch of spawning gravel in Michigan.