Fishing Starts again 1-1-2011 Until 3-10-11

Call for Open Dates  (231) 884-2198

Our Winter Walleye and Steelhead Season Starts around the first week of January on the St. Joseph river in Berrien Springs Michigan.  The St. Joseph river has long been known for it's great Steelhead fishing.  The Walleye fishery has been somewhat over looked because of the fantastic walleye fishery on the east side of the state.  But the St. Joseph river can hold it's own and does not get the pressure of some of the rivers on the east side of the state.   Being the Southern most major river on the Lake Michigan the St. Joseph river gets large runs of Steelhead from Lake Michigan, in the middle of the winter.  As seasonal warmth brings snow run off and rain, fresh Steelhead enter the river from Lake Michigan.  These fish migrate up the river to Berrien Springs only to find that the Fish Ladders have been closed for the year.  The fish ladders reopen in the spring when the waters warm above 40 degrees.  Which is why we only fish the St. Joseph river in the Middle of the Winter the fish are trapped from the Berrien Springs Dam to Lake Michigan approximately 23 miles of river.  Once the fish ladders open the fish are able to run approximately 150 miles of river well into Indiana. The preferred method for Steelhead at this time of year is either small plugs, Hot-n-tots wiggle warts or back bouncing spawn on light action rods.  All equipment will be provided.

 So when the fish ladders open we head back to the Manistee River in Northern Michigan, the Manistee River does not have a fish Ladder.

In Late December the Walleye migration first starts up river toward the Berrien Springs Dam.  In January and February Large schools of Walleye migrate and stage below the Berrien Springs Dam or close to it.  Walleye above 10 pounds are caught every year, and many fish in the 2-5 pound class are taken.  Don't think that walleye are the only thing swimming in the St. Joseph river at this time of year.  Steelhead routinely will make a meal out of your minnow, as will the occasional Lake Trout which are out of season and must be released.  The preferred method of catching these walleye are to use a jig and minnow or to drift a minnow on a hook and sinker.  Either way this is exciting hands on fishing, your holding the rod, casting the line and feeling the fish bite.  We use medium action 6'6" rods with 6-8 pound test line and medium action reels. 

Berrien Springs is located in Southwest Michigan, approximately 15 miles north of South Bend, Indiana on US-31.

Lodging is available in Berrien Springs Mi.  Niles Mi.  St. Joseph Mi.  or  South Bend In.