2026 regulation year
Michigan Steelhead 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Last updated
Michigan's steelhead fishery splits between Great-Lakes year-round angling and Type-1 stream seasons that mirror the inland trout opener. The fall and spring runs in Lake Michigan tributaries (Manistee, Pere Marquette, Big Manistee) are the marquee events.
Season
Great Lakes: year-round. Type-1 streams: last Sat April – Sep 30.
– Type-1 streams
Bag & possession
- Daily bag
- 3 / day (combined trout + salmon, Great Lakes); 1 / day on listed streams
- Possession
- Same as daily bag
Size, slot, trophy rules
- Size
- 10 in minimum (most waters); 15 in on listed streams
Gear restrictions
- Flies-only zones on listed tracts (Mason Tract, parts of Pere Marquette)
- Single-hook artificial only on listed stretches below Tippy Dam
- Snagging prohibited on all Great Lakes tributary streams
Named water-body overrides
Where statewide rules differ on specific Michigan waters:
Pere Marquette River (M-37 to Gleason's Landing)
Flies-only, no-kill on portion; classic steelhead water
Manistee River below Tippy Dam
Single-hook artificial only; snagging prohibited
Big Manistee
Type-1 stream rules + Great Lakes connection; verify reach
St. Joseph River
Lake Michigan tributary; steelhead + chinook run
Official source
Michigan Department of Natural Resources publishes the authoritative 2026 Michiganfishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.