Hit Great Lakes tributaries in winter for a trout bonanza, says Jim O’Neil.

Merriam-Webster defines a creek as, “… a natural stream of water normally smaller than and often tributary to a river.” My definition is simply, “An outdoorsman’s winter wonderland.”

The biological and seasonal changes in many of the creeks is quite fascinating. In the heat of summer, the creeks dry up, with only inches of water in some sections. Besides the occasional pike or smallmouth sitting in a deep hole, the river is quite bare, with just sparse gobies and minnows to be found.

Come September, the switch flips. It begins with the National Geographic-worthy phenomenon of the Chinook “king” salmon run from the Lake Michigan. They leave the depths of the Great Lakes to spawn in the harbor and creeks.

Following the kings are the beautiful coho salmon. The ruby red males are a sight for any angler. If you are lucky, you might even run into a pink salmon at this time.

As the kings dissipate and the cohos finish their spawn, Great Lakes trout join the party. Brown, brook, steelhead and lake trout inhabit the shorelines. Unlike the salmon who only visit our shores for a few months, the trout become part-time residents, arriving in October and heading back out to the lake in March and April.

Although the first frost of the year makes the bass fisherman inside me sad, the creek fisherman laces up the boots to enjoy the winter wonderland. Now is the time to catch a fish of a lifetime!

Here are some tips to help you land that fish.

When it comes to looking for spots, find any harbor or creek attached to the big lake. Although it can sometimes be that simple, to narrow down your search, look up local stocking information. This allows you to fish in higher-percentage areas giving you the best opportunity for numbers and a prized catch.

When it comes to creeks, look for slow-moving water, deep holes and structure. The harder it is to get your bait into an area, the better your chances are to hook up. My absolute favorite spot to locate early season salmon and trout are log jams near or in a creek bend. All this information applies to not only southeastern Wisconsin, but to all the Great Lakes harbors and tributaries.

Before heading out, check local rules and regulations. A salmon/trout stamp is required to specifically target and keep these fish. This is an easy add-on to your yearly fishing license. When fishing marinas and creeks, be aware of trespassing; use public access points. Don’t worry, as there are hundreds of miles of legal fishable water in the state.

Finally, here are some suggestions to help you plan for your next creek trip.

• Clothing: polarized sunglasses, waders/boots, wicking clothing and water-resistant/proof outerwear.
• Equipment: spinning gear—300 to 400 sized reels, 7- to 9-foot medium-action rod
• Fly gear: 7- to 9-weight with a 10-pound leader, net and stringer.
• Bait: fresh spawn, spawn sacs, inline spinners and flies. Some of my favorite flies are egg patterns, egg-sucking leeches, wooly buggers, streamers and Davis spankers.

A final thought for a catch and cook opportunity: The salmon are at the end of their lifespan and begin to decay. Target smaller, early season fish for the best table fare. Unlike salmon, trout do not die after four years. In fact, a brown trout can live for more than 20 years. Therefore, it is vital we keep the fishery sustainable. If you want to keep a trout, look for a fresh, silver fish in the 2- to 6-pound range. Remember to always follow daily creel/bag limits; information is available at dnr.wisconsin.gov.

Can’t wait for sping to go fishing? Read more about winter fishing options in the winter issues of MidWest Outdoors, available by subscribing on our website.