I've heard that surplus steelhead have been planted in a few small lakes around the state, and I have been intrested in pursuing these still water steelies. I've haven't tried fishing for them myself yet, because I prefer to pursue them in their natural river environment, but some rivers I fish are going to be closed, and I might need a back up plan. I was wondering if any body has had any success with these planted steelhead? If so, what tactics do you use?(I've heard rumors that they don't bite too well)

Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!

Never done it my self but I would imagine Eggs or shrimp under a float would work.

Thanks for your input steel slayer!

Try trolling pluggs? There is also a type of steelhead x regular rainbow trout breed breed for lakes. I know a few lakes in Canada and other plases have them. Basically they are just a big rainbow.

FJ15,

I think those steelhead/rainbow hybrids you're talking about are "Donaldson" rainbows. They were developed at the UW, and used to be planted in Lk. Wa. I don't know if they still do, but I bet there are still a few around.

They got big, fast.

Fish on...

Todd

P.S. I've caught two steelhead in lakes, both in Lk. Sammamish, both within two days of each other fishing with grubs for smallmouth in March. Oh, yeah, that was, like, 1983, or so. Probably not much help for you there...

There is an article in recent WA/OR game & fish magazine about steelheading in lakes. I haven't read it yest and not sure what they talked about.

OK I lied. I can't find the article I read it somewhere recently. If I find it, I will post.

There is a lake on the peninsula that has actual hatchery steelhead in it and they gobble power bait is what i've been told, but the only thing I have seen is the steelhead that someone else caught on this little lake. Pure hatchery steel though.

I don't get why steelies are put into lakes, my home river does that and I can not stand it. Let the fish stay in the river where it belongs. ( ok now its time for someone to put me in my place and tell me the biological or ideal habitat reasons for putting these beautiful fish into dirty, geese and duck waste infested water.)

I remember reading a year or two ago that WDFW dumped some hatchery minus the eggs back in the lakes (PA? area) so lake people can have some fun w/o getting wet

My friends and I have used shrimp under a float with success in an OP lake that gets planted with steelies. It can be very very slow fishing though.

Watch the the weekly trout plant section on the W.D.F.W. website and you will see the lakes planted with the surplus hatchery steelhead.

A number of years ago, my wife and I had great success fishing PowerBait on 4lb. test line and 7' noodle-type trout rods for these fish. We had lots of fun and we didn't lose a fish ( light drag and a nice net).