Steelhead Fish
Fishing for Steelhead
on Vancouver Island
The steelhead fish is one of the strongest fighting fishes of the West Coast.The rainbow trout and the steelhead trout belong to the same species and are oftentimes mistaken for each other. Steelheads are anadromous, which means that return to their original hatching spot to spawn. When fishing for steelhead on Vancouver Island, make sure that your rods are strong and you are physically fit, in order to "fight" the steelhead. You will find that fishing for steelheads is great sport.
Photo courtesy of qmnonic
Fishing for steelhead can be exciting fun!
What exactly is a Steelhead?
The steelhead trout is usually dark-olive in color with silvery white shades and heavy speckles on their bodies. It also has pinkish to reddish line running along their sides. If you are new to fishing for steelhead, then you may not be able to distinguish it from rainbow trout. The two look almost exactly the same to an untrained eye. The main difference between rainbow trout and steelhead is their habitat. Steelhead fish spend 2-3 years in the ocean before travelling back to fresh water to spawn. (Unlike salmon, which die after spawning, steelheads have the ability to reverse physical changes and survive spawning for several times.) Some steelhead trout wander deep into the ocean.
Photo courtesy of surrealis_uk
Steelheads are worth the fight!
They can grow to be 3 pounds, like this fish.
A rainbow trout on the other hand is strictly a fresh-water fish. Steelheads are generally loners and prefer to travel by themselves. They only get to be in the company of other steelheads during feeding times. Due to their different habitats, the steelhead and the rainbow trout vary somewhat in color and shape.
Steelhead Fishing on Vancouver Island
There are two kinds of steelheads on Vancouver Island. The summer run steelhead and the winter run steelhead. Winter run steelheads enter the rivers from December through April, and they can be found in most rivers on the island. Summer run steelheads, on the other hand, occupy most of the West Coast Rivers and they enter from June through October. Vancouver Island is said to be heaven for steelhead anglers because of the abundance of steelheads all throughout the year.
Photo courtesy of surrealis_uk
You could net a Vancouver Island steelhead too!
The steelhead is a cherished fresh water sports fish of British Columbia and fishing for steelhead is one of the greatest adventures you’ll ever have. Steelhead meat is pink like that of salmon, and the meat of steelheads is more flavorful than the light-colored meat of rainbow trout
What does a Steelhead Trout Eat?
Young steelheads eat insects, fish eggs and fish up to 1/3 of their own length. They also feed on crayfish and other small crustaceans.Larger steelheads eat more fish. And when they are in fast running waters, steelheads eat fish eggs (They love salmon eggs.), the eggs of other rainbow trout and other fish—and even salmon carcasses.
How long does a Steelhead live?
They usually reach a maximum of 8 to 11 years with the males maturing at 2 years and the females at 3. During these years, steelheads travel back and forth from the ocean to fresh water and vice versa.
What Eats a Steelhead Fish?
Aside from humans, a steelhead trout is prey to larger fishes, sea lions, birds, and some harbor seals.Steelheads provide some of the best fishing on Vancouver Island and its surrounding waters. Not only do they provide great sport, but the fish is excellent for eating. If you like to fish and are planning to come to the island, make sure you pack your fishing gear and plan to spend a day or two fishing for steelheads! If you are planning to do some steelhead fishing on Vancouver Island, you can get a license from the British Columbia Fish and Wildlife Association.
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