Big jerkbaits and other lures cast around any remaining weedbeds are also highly productive. There are certain weedbeds that will remain on throughout the fall. These areas are very attractive to muskies. One such area is found in the northeast corner of the lake.

Anglers really believe in the muskie fishery at Lake Webster. In fact, the Web site for the Webster Lake Muskie Club claims, “Webster Lake is one of the Midwest’s top 10 muskie lakes.” More information on the club is available online at www.websterlakemuskyclub.org.

Biologist Jed Pearson may be reached at (260) 244-6805.

LAKE MICHIGAN
Steelhead
Anglers in northern Indiana during the fall can find some tremendous opportunities to tangle with steelhead. The fishery on Lake Michigan is doing great and there are some excellent fall runs to be enjoyed.

“Each fall, beginning in September, we see steelhead enter our tributaries on pre-spawning migrations. Not only do anglers have the opportunity to catch Skamania steelhead, but also later in the fall, they can tangle with Michigan-strain steelhead. Approximately 50 percent of our steelhead returns occur in the fall of the year. This makes for great action for those anglers who are willing to get out and wet a line,” biologist Brian Breidert said.

An aggressive stocking program is one reason the fishery is in such great shape. Combined, Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph River typically receive stockings of some 500,000 steelhead per year. Most recently, Lake Michigan received 257,206 steelhead last year and a whopping 645,576 fish in 2005. During the same period, the St. Joseph River received 521,682 steelhead.

“We are very excited about our Indiana steelhead fishery. We have a world-class fishery here in the Midwest, which rivals those on the West coast. Not only do we have small-stream fisheries found in northwestern Indiana, but we have the big-river experience with the St. Joseph River in the South Bend area, as well as the fishery on the lakefront itself,” Breidert said.

Anglers who experience the great fall fishing for steelhead really get a thrill. These fish fight hard, have tremendous bursts of speed, and can really be “aerial acrobats,” according to Breidert. Hooking them is one thing, but landing one can be the real challenge.

Many different fishing methods are employed to catch fall steelheads. Worden’s Rooster Tail lures and small spinners are very popular with anglers. Shrimp or night crawlers fished under a float can also yield great fishing success. Clumps of trout or salmon eggs wrapped in mesh bags can be fished the same way. Some anglers will also drift flies as well. Dark colors, such as brown or black, seem to work best.

There are plenty of access areas to the Lake Michigan shoreline and its tributaries. Fall fishing can be great in all these areas. There is a special section of the DNR’s Web site devoted to fishing Lake Michigan and its tributaries. Anglers can find information on fish species, regulations, and how to find fishing access. The site may be found at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/lkmich/open.html.

Call biologist Brian Breidert at (219) 874-6824 for more information.

BROOKVILLE RESERVOIR
Walleyes
District 5 fisheries biologist Rhett Wisener said Brookville Reservoir probably has one of the top walleye fisheries in the state. After all, this water is where the DNR goes to collect broodstock and eggs that are used to stock other lakes in Indiana. “The fact that we use the lake to obtain broodstock is a testament to the quality of the walleye fishery there. We never have a problem there collecting fish,” Wisener said.

The fishery is rated good for both numbers of fish and size as well. The last survey done on the lake was during the fall of 2005. Both shocking and netting were used and the results point to some very nice fish.