Trail Creek Fly Fishing Report – April 30, 2024: The stream is well above a normal level with stained water. We were still getting good reports from customers fishing for trout prior to the higher levels. Good hatches are taking place. Call or write us for trout fly recommendations.
Click Here to see our Steelhead Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone
Species
Steelhead
Coho Salmon
Chinook Salmon
Skamania steelhead
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Size
Small to medium
Location
Northeastern Indiana
Nearest Town
Michigan City Indiana
Chicago Illinois
Season
Year-round, species dependant
Access:
Good
Special Regulations
Yes, Make sure you check the
current regulations.
Non-Resident License
State of Indiana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Real Time Stream Data:
Trail Creek
Seasons:
The seasons vary per species – check current regulations
Spring:
This is the best time for brown and rainbow trout
Summer:
Skamania Steelhead run from the last part of June through the middle of August
Fall:
Chinook and Coho Salmon run from the last part of September through October. Brown trout and rainbow trout fishing is good
Winter:
All but the coldest days of Winter can be good for steelhead. The extremely cold water of January and February can make the fish sluggish but otherwise, fishing remains good throughout the Winter.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Trail Creek Indiana
Trail Creek is a very good steelhead, salmon and trout stream located in Michigan City, Indiana, on Lake Michigan. The stream provides anglers fly fishing opportunities year-round. With its close proximity to the big city of Chicago, it isn’t exactly a secret destination.
Fly fishing Trail Creek is fairly easy from an access standpoint. There are six public fishing sites located at various locations along the stream.
Trail Creek has a great run of Summer steelhead. They are Skamania Steelhead, which is a hybrid trout and salmon. In addition, their winter run of steelhead is one of the Great Lake’s best. These fish average from eight to twelve pounds but get even larger.
Trail Creek also has a good Chinook or King Salmon run that occurs in the Fall. At the same time you will find a run of Coho or Silver Salmon taking place. The Chinook average about 12 pounds but can grow up to as high as 24 pounds. The Coho are smaller, averaging about 5 pounds. Like all salmon, these species die after they spawn.
In addition to the anadromous species , Trail Creek is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. This makes it possible for an angler to fly fish the stream on a year-round basis.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Steelhead Flies – Trail Creek Indiana
Fly Line:
The fly line we recommend for steelhead fishing Trail Creek should be a 7 or 8 weight, floating fly line. If you prefer to use a Spey rod, then the line should probably be a 9 weight made for Spey fishing.
Fly Line Weight:
Adding weight to your fly line depends on the flow and depth of the pools you are fishing. You can add a sink tip line or split shot.
Fly Rod:
The fly rod we recommend for Trail Creek steelhead fishing is a 7 or 8 weight in a nine to ten foot length. It is probably best in a medium fast to fast action. If you prefer to use a Spey Rod, then we suggest a 9 weight, 14 foot length rod. It should be a medium to fast action rod.
Leader:
You want a stiff, hard leader material. The size should range from a minimum of ten pound test up to twelve pound test. They should be nine feet long for a regular fly rod and from ten and a half to fifteen feet for two handed Spey rods. If you use a sinking fly line, you would want them only about four to six feet long.
Tippet:
You want to carry plenty of extra tippet material for ten to twelve pound test. It too should be hard, stiff material that is abrasive resistance.
Waders:
Unless you want to fish from the banks in the areas it is practical, then waders are necessary anywhere you fish the Trail Creek. Normally felt soles are okay but there are some areas of slate bottom where cleats would be preferred. ..
Landing Net:
A landing net is recommended. The main requirement is that the net should be very large. The net area should be at least 15 inches wide by 20 inches long.
Flies:
We have a complete line of flies for the steelhead, brown trout and salmon. We have selected them as the most popular flies from thousands of patterns that have been developed over the years. They imitate the hexigenia mayfly nymph, stonefly nymphs and fish roe or eggs that are found in the river throughout the year. We also have a full line of popular wet flies, egg flies and streamers that are very popular on Trail Creek. We hope you will give our flies a try. We also have over 400 of our own Perfect Fly trout flies. We have imitations of all the aquatic and terrestrial insects in all stage of life.