Steelhead gear

Quick setup

Rod	Reel	Line
Spinning: 8 to 10 feet, light to medium action, rated 6 to 12 lb. Fly: 8.5 to 11 feet, 6 to 9 weight, with a 10 foot 7 weight ideal for Great Lakes tributaries.	Spinning reel holding at least 150 yards of 6 to 10 lb line. Fly reel with a smooth disc drag and 100 yards of 20 lb backing.	6 to 10 lb monofilament.

Rod, reel and line

Rod: Spinning: 8 to 10 feet, light to medium action, rated 6 to 12 lb. Fly: 8.5 to 11 feet, 6 to 9 weight, with a 10 foot 7 weight ideal for Great Lakes tributaries.
Reel: Spinning reel holding at least 150 yards of 6 to 10 lb line. Fly reel with a smooth disc drag and 100 yards of 20 lb backing.
Line: 6 to 10 lb monofilament.

Baits

dime-sized salmon egg sacks
earthworms

Lures

artificial eggs
beads
small plastic worms
small red or orange spoons in open lake water

Rigs

Float fishing: split shot graded from heaviest at the top to smallest near the hook, enough to sink three quarters of the float.
Drift fishing: just enough weight to tick the bottom now and then.

Tips

Look at current seams, the heads and tails of pools, and around boulders and logs. Steelhead dislike bright light, so fish early or late on sunny days.
Fly fishing: Egg patterns, nymphs and streamers on floating or sink-tip line.

Starter setup

A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.

Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.

When to size up

Fish	Gear
Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass	medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet
Channel catfish	medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line
Northern pike	medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader
Muskellunge	heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader
Trolling for lake trout and salmon	8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels
Steelhead	8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line
Lake sturgeon	heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid