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Fishing Report May 1st 2026
The spring ’26 steelhead run is over. Effectively it has been over for about five weeks. That’s right. Nobody seems to listen anymore. While much of it was cloaked by extremely high water which was often somewhat dirty…thus a lot of the activity occurred during mostly unfishable conditions. I had to cancel/postpone 19 trips in just over a month. Some were made up but many were not. I’m hearing much worse scenarios from guides up north who barely squeezed a dozen trips in.
This is the southernmost steelhead fishery in the Lake Michigan watershed and just because you “heard” there was some chrome in the PM or Manistee does not mean we have fresh fish down here. In fact, in most cases it’s very likely we are 2 to 3 weeks ahead of the rivers up north. We have summer-run Skamania strains poking their way in by the time the last of our winter-run steelhead are finishing up. Spawned-out “drop back” steelhead can be found throughout the St Joe system from March through April and occasionally linger into May. In fact, it’s not terribly unusual to find some “re-chromed” drop backs taking up summer residence in the Dowagiac because by the time they get down to the St Joe it’s too warm to migrate out to Lake Michigan.
This year, steelhead spawning activity occurred in December, January, March, and April. Yes, that happened, I saw it as well as others keenly in tune with the river and the biology of these fish. Peak was late February through the second week of March. This is the reality and if you want to focus on fresh or at least “clean” steelhead as opposed to ragged, worn-out, beaten and battered steelhead barely holding on for their downstream migration, you need to think about February and March and focus on other species by the time mid-April rolls around.
Currently, streams are still somewhat addled by high water, but fishing has been very good overall with northern pike, muskie, smallmouth and even some largemouth post spawn and transitioning into a late-spring/early-summer pattern. Turkey hunting has been awesome too!
It’s go time for all the warmwater species and maybe chunky resident brown trout conditions permitting. Like…please stop asking about spring steelhead (lol), but keep asking about summer-run Skamania strains because that is right around the corner!
If you wanna fish…Text, Call or Email ASAP for dates!
All trips require a $150 deposit to lock date!
Call - Text - Email
Jay Anglin - 574-210-2844
jay@anglinoutdoors.com
NEWLY UPDATED 2026
Regular Rates:
4 Hour Half - $350
1 or 2 rods
6 Hour Express - $425
1 or 2
8 Hour Full - $500
1 or 2 rods
- Beverages and snacks are always available but full meals are only provided during 8 hour trips or by request
- If feasible, a third angler is an additional $75 for any rate
- All rates include use of equipment, leaders, flies, lures and any other pertinent tackle etc.
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Where
WHEN
Rates
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Anglin Outdoors specializes in warm and coldwater species throughout a region that straddles much of the Indiana/Michigan state line known as Michiana. While steelhead and smallmouth bass fishing on the St Joseph River system including the revered Dowagiac River are the focus of most outings, many other species are caught during a typical day including resident brown trout, largemouth bass and a variety of panfish, among others. Northern pike are often targeted or caught as a bonus species. Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan are blessed with some incredible muskie fisheries. While some 'skis are present in streams the bulk of fishing is done on small inland lakes.
The Michiana region is blessed with year-round fishing opportunities. Other than frigid arctic conditions that make fishing unbearable for most anglers, steelhead fishing is a possibility just about every month of the year. Obviously, numbers of fish and conditions vary from year to year but suffice it to say we have fantastic steelhead opportunities here - in particular spring and fall. Smallmouth bass fishery generally takes the stage from late May through early October - June, July and August being the primary focus. Resident trout fishing is also available to some degree nearly year-round but often comes as a bonus to steelhead fishing. September is a great month of pursue big, fresh king and coho salmon along with summer-run Skamania steelhead. Muskie and pike fishing can be excellent if not world class throughout much of the year as well.
All trips require a $150 deposit to lock date!
Call - Text - Email
Jay Anglin - 574-210-2844
jay@anglinoutdoors.com
UPDATED 2026
Regular Rates:
---Fish---
4 Hour Half - $350 1 or 2 rods
6 Hour Express - $425 1 or 2
8 Hour Full - $500 1 or 2 rods
- Beverages and snacks are always available but full meals are only provided during 8 hour trips or by request
- If feasible, a third angler is an additional $75 for any rate
- All rates include use of equipment, leaders, flies, lures and any other pertinent tackle etc.
- All trips CATCH AND RELEASE
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ABOUT
Jay Anglin has been an avid angler and hunter for over 40 years. He tied his first flies and caught trout on them in Northern Michigan in 1981. His guide service, Anglin Outdoors, specializes in pursuing warm and cold water fish species found in the streams and lakes of Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. Anglin has guided anglers of all persuasions as well as waterfowl, turkey and upland game hunters throughout the Great Lakes states. He met his wife Angie while working towards a biology degree from Northern Michigan University in the Upper Peninsula. Jay has also been writing professionally since high school. When he's not on the river or in the field he can be found behind the keyboard.
CONTACT US
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Jay Anglin - Anglin Outdoors
409 Fox Street
LaPorte, Indiana 46350
574-210-2844
jay@anglinoutdoors.com
