St. Joseph River Michigan Fly Fishing Report & Options for Selecting 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. 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.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Tailwaters
Species
Coho Salmon
Steelhead
Skamania Steelhead
Smallmouth
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Southwestern Michigan/northern
Indiana
Nearest Town
St. Joseph Michigan
South Bend Indiana
Season
Species dependant, see current
regulations
Access:
Good in most areas
Non-Resident License
State of Michigan
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
At Niles
Seasons:
The season is species dependant. Check the current regulations.
Spring:
Winter run steelhead are still in the river during the Spring.
Summer:
Summer run steelhead are in the river from the middle of May to the end of September.
Fall:
Winter run fish start in the river in October. Coho Salmon enter the river in September. Chinook enter in October.
Winter:
Winter is the best time for the winter run steelhead.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
For Steelhead and Salmon
Fly Line:
7, 8 , 9 or 10 weight for appropriate typerod, sinking, sinking tip and floating
Leaders:
10#, 12# in 9 to 15 feet lengths
Tippets:
10# and 12#
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly 7, 8, 9 and 10 ft. single hand rods
Fly Reels:
For 7 to 10 weight lines
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
KISS Strike Indicators, Lanyards, etc.
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing St. Joseph River Michigan
The St. Joseph River, also known as the St. Joe, is a large, 206 mile long river that begins in Michigan, enters Indiana and re-enters Michigan before flowing into Lake Michigan. Fly fishing the St. Joseph River can be fantastic at times. The river has a great summer run of
Skamania steelhead. These are large fish that can run up to twenty pounds.
There are four dams on the St. Joseph River but there are fish ladders that allow the anadromous species of fish to travel on upstream. These are located at Buchanan, Niles, South Bend and Mishawaka dams.
The river also has some tributaries that hold fish at times. the Dowagiac River, Brandywine Creek and Pipestone Creek will host some of the salmon and steelhead, depending on the time of the year and water levels.
This river is mostly fished from a boat. There are a few areas where it can be waded on good water levels. Some of the tributaries also offers some wading opportunities. The St. Joseph River consist mostly of large, deep pools and deep runs.
Access to the St. Joseph River is very good. There are plenty of boat ramps and side roads that access the stream as well as some pull offs along some major routes.
The summer run steelhead are in the river’s claim to fame. The states of Indiana and Michigan plant over a hundred-thousand fish in the river. Large schools of steelhead cruise the water and at times are very visible to the angler. Sight casting to the large steelhead is a common practice.
The coho salmon enter the river in September and average five to eight pounds. These fish very aggressive and often are found in schools. The king salmon begin to show up right after the coho. The kings average weighing about twelve pounds. Our Perfect Fly Hex Nymphs work great on the Kings.