When it comes to catching more fish, understanding baitfish behavior is just as important as selecting the right fly or lure. Why? Because fish respond to their food sources differently throughout the year, so knowing what’s available each season can dramatically improve your success. Today’s guide is based on the expert knowledge of Kevin Feenstra, who has spent years studying the baitfish cycles in Michigan’s rivers. In it, we’ll take a closer look at how baitfish change from fall through spring and how you can adjust your approach to stay one step ahead.
Fall: Shiners and Aggressive Fish
As summer fades, migratory fish like steelhead, salmon, and lake-run brown trout begin making their way into rivers from the Great Lakes. Out in the open water, their main food source is the alewife, which is a large, shiny baitfish. But once they hit the rivers, they switch to what’s available, and the first thing they key in on is shiners.
Shiners are small, silvery baitfish that school up in three to six feet of water. Their flash makes them easy for fish to spot, which is why imitating them with flashy patterns can be so effective. Early in the season, migratory fish are aggressive, so a well-placed streamer that mimics a shiner will often draw hard strikes.
As the season progresses, fish become a little more selective. While some will still go after bold, colorful patterns, others start to settle into winter feeding habits, where slower, more deliberate presentations become key.
Winter: Big Meals for Coldwater Predators
Cold water means fish slow down, and that includes their feeding behavior. Instead of chasing bait, they conserve energy and focus on easy, high-protein meals. This is where bottom-dwelling baitfish like sculpins, gobies, and darters come into play.
- Sculpins are camouflaged fish that hug the riverbed. They don’t have swim bladders, so they can’t hover. Instead, they dart a short distance and then sink back down. Mimicking this movement is key when fishing sculpin patterns.
- Round gobies are an invasive species that have become a major food source in many rivers. They look similar to sculpins but tend to sit more visibly on rocks, making them easier for predators to spot.
- Darters are part of the perch family. Their thin profile and quick movement make them a great choice for weighted patterns that need to get down fast.
When fishing in winter, color matters. Because fish are feeding near the bottom, your fly should match the natural tones of the riverbed: olive, tan, and muted earth tones tend to work best.
Spring: A Surge of Activity
Once water temperatures start creeping up, everything in the river comes to life. Hatches kick off, minnows become more active, and predators start feeding aggressively. This is when salmon fry, sucker fry, and mayfly nymphs become prime food sources.
- Salmon fry hatch in the spring and quickly become a significant part of the food chain. They hold in slower water near the banks, making them a top target for trout and steelhead.
- Sucker fry also emerge, providing another easy meal. Unlike salmon fry, they have a more purplish hue, so choosing patterns with subtle lavender or pink tones can be effective.
- Mayfly nymphs, especially isonychias, swim toward the surface and can resemble small baitfish. This makes them a valuable match for swinging flies in the spring.
As the season progresses, fish will continue feeding on these smaller baitfish and aquatic insects before shifting back to larger meals in the summer.
Fish Smarter with Seasonal Knowledge
The bottom line is that matching your fly to what fish are actually eating makes all the difference. Whether it’s flashy shiners in the fall, bottom-hugging sculpins in the winter, or vulnerable fry in the spring, understanding seasonal baitfish patterns will help you hook more fish.
Want to take your knowledge even further? Renowned guide and author Kevin Feenstra shares his expertise in a comprehensive 54-chapter course on Anchored Outdoors. Discover the best techniques for fishing baitfish: when to use them, where to find them, and why they attract strikes. Plus, get step-by-step guidance on tying your own patterns. This comprehensive class is designed for anglers of all experience levels targeting freshwater species.
Sign up here and start fishing smarter!
