By November, anglers should be flocking to Erie tributaries, casting & drifting until the lines are drawn tight. They should be knee-deep in steelhead. But this year paints a different picture. The trout are there; they are just offshore waiting. The anglers are also waiting for the trout to make their way upstream. But there is one big problem: water is needed.

The streams are experiencing a historic low flow, something not usually seen this late in the season. Although steelhead are still present, and most will eventually make their way into the streams, the current numbers discourage would-be anglers. Despite the old saying, “It’s called fishing, not catching,” not catching any fish after traveling several hours to wet a line is not the outcome most fishermen hope for.

One long-term concern is the impact the lower water conditions will have on the steelhead that calls the tributaries home during winter. The lower water has already added additional stress as the fish wait offshore to fight their way into the smaller-than-normal upstream pools. Once the fish make it upstream, this stress is furthered by low oxygen levels, a typical result of low water flow.

Anglers are likely to see less energetic fish, less willing to eat, and harder to catch. There may even be some signs of fatalities, often contributed by other anglers, which are, in reality, the result of stress. Anglers near Trout Run did report large numbers of dead fish near the mouth of the stream. After further investigation, it was determined the fatalities were a result of the low waters but not due to stress. The fish had become stranded due to a sandbar that formed, trapping the fish as the water continued to drop.

As anglers look to the skies for signs of relief, there is little sign of long-term relief. Scatter showers are predicted for the upcoming weekend, but it is doubtful that it will be enough to return levels to normal. Higher than-average temperatures are also expected to continue through next week, adding to concerns. Even if we receive much-needed rain for more than a few days, the drier-than-normal conditions will mean less runoff until the ground is saturated. In other words, returning to standard will require more than average rain.

Those fishermen who do experience success will also need to be cautious. Fish experience a great deal of stress when caught, which is why proper catch-and-release techniques are important. When the fish are already experiencing higher-than-normal stress, even the best handling practices are likely to result in mortality.

It is impossible to tell how the rest of the season will shake out or what, if any, impact this will have on the overall steelhead population. However, one thing is certain — the 2024 steelhead season is going to go down in history as anything but normal.