Lake Ontario and Finger Lake Tributaries now have active spawning steelhead.  Increased water temperatures (over 40 degrees), snowmelt, rainfall, greater daylight and the general approach of Spring coincide with steelhead on redds.  These aggressive fish vigorously chase each other, drive away lesser fish (suckers/carp/smaller trout, smallmouth, etc) and can be very territorial.  They may also be easily spooked. If you are observant and don’t spook the fish, you may witness the beautiful dance of courtship.  My experience indicates that they are most active in low light conditions.  While there may be minimal reproduction in most streams, there is still some natural reproduction.  Please leave those females alone!  Steelhead will spawn between March and May.  There are other post spawn fish to chase, drop back fish, fresh plunge pool/fast water fish, etc to target.  Please protect those pairs of active, mating chrome.  They are such magnificent fighters and colored beauties, they deserve our respect.  Heck, does anyone want to have their courtship interrupted?  It also helps to avoid walking on their spawning nest/redds.  The photo above depicts the lighter colored gravel and depression of a typical spring steelhead redd.  

Finally, now is a great time to pick up some trash at your favorite fishing hole.  Carrying a simple plastic bag and picking up bottles on the way back to the car is a simple stream improvement.  Or, pick up that larger item and properly dispose of it.  Many an angler has received permission to fish private property, by volunteering to pick up a handful of trash each trip.   We’re blessed with an awesome fishery in New York.  The more we act as stewards and take care of our fisheries, the better our fisheries become.  Enjoy that trout opener April 1st and take a kid fishing this Spring.