While it may seem like there is a limited distance of river on the Au Sable for steelhead anglers, it is quite lengthy compared with the Thunder Bay River in Alpena. There is barely a mile of river between Lake Huron and the Ninth Street Dam. Steelheading can be very good or non-existent on the Thunder Bay River; thus, it is not a good destination spot, but it is always ice-free and if you find your target river too high or icy, it can be a good backup place to fish. If you are in the area for another reason, it is also always worth a quick fish since you can hook fish from the bank below the dam and determine if the fish are there in a short time.

Check with the Northern Lake Huron Management Unit at (989) 732-3541 for the latest on the Au Sable and Thunder Bay rivers.

Two other Lake Huron tributaries often receive good runs of steelhead in the late fall, but the rivers are frequently too frozen to fish. We mention them because they can be quite good when we have a mild spell, and they are also rivers to try when spring shows up. The Rifle River flows into northern Saginaw Bay, and the best reach for winter fishing is between M-55 and Greenwood Road. There are likely higher concentrations of steelhead closer to the mouth, but the river is almost never fishable there in the winter. The East Branch of the Au Gres is much smaller than the Rifle and slightly less prone to freezing. It is found about 16 miles east of the Rifle near Hemlock, and the best fishing is below M-55.

Additional information on both rivers can be obtained from the DNR at (989) 684-9141.

UPPER PENINSULA
Frigid winters and a relative paucity of groundwater feeding the rivers severely limit winter steelhead opportunities in the Upper Peninsula. But one possibility is the Chocolay River just east of Marquette.

The best fishing on the Chocolay is between U.S. Highway 28 and Lake Superior, and fishing as close to the big lake as river ice allows is a good plan.

To learn about current conditions, you can call the DNR in Marquette at (906) 228-6561.

If you are really tough and rugged, the St. Mary's Rapids in Sault Ste. Marie is also a winter option. Realistically, though, the time to fish for steelhead in the Upper Peninsula is in the spring, and the late runs to the Lake Superior tributaries extend your steelhead season well into May. Some of the best are the East Branch of the Ontonagon and the Huron in the western U.P., and the Two Hearted on the eastern side.

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Since it is winter, knowing the condition of the rivers you plan to fish is especially important. You can obtain the phone numbers of local tackle shops by contacting the area chambers of commerce. The local phone numbers can be obtained by calling the Michigan Chamber of Commerce at (517) 371-2100, or go to the Web at www.michamber.com.

This year, lengthen your steelhead season by watching the weather forecasts and donning your cold-weather gear when the prediction is relatively "balmy." Steelhead hit well in the winter. Go find out for yourself!