Steelhead trout are swimming up the major rivers and minor streams of northeastern Ohio and the puzzle is to pinpoint the best waters and top techniques for catching them.

When the waters flowing to Lake Erie are high and muddy or low and clear, the steelhead trout fishing is difficult. When the water goes down and is slightly stained, allowing trout to easily see an angler’s offering but not the fisherman, it’s time to wet a line.

"The rivers and streams are on different schedules so fishermen can hop from river to stream and pick waters nearing their prime," said noted steelheader Jeff Liskay of North Olmsted. Last week’s rains muddied all of Ohio’s rivers and streams. Now that they’re clearing, Liskay was outlining his plan of attack.

"The first streams to clear are the tributaries of the Grand River and smaller streams flowing to Lake Erie, such as Euclid, Cowles, Wheeler and Arcola creeks," he said. The steeper elevation drop of the streams along the Ohio/Pennsylvania border speeds the process. Pennsylvania’s Walnut Creek is first, followed by popular Elk Creek. Ohio’s Conneaut Creek and the Ashtabula River are usually not far behind. The Chagrin and Rocky rivers are next, with the Grand River and its sprawling watershed the last to reach prime fishing.

"When the small tributaries of the Grand River are too clear it is a good indication some of the other rivers, including Conneaut and Chagrin, are getting ready to be prime," said Liskay.

The early steelhead season is on right now, and it’s a favorite time for Liskay. The trout are aggressive and his lure options wide open.

"I like to cast lures," he said. "The water is a little warmer at this time of year and the fish are willing to move two or three feet to chase a lure. Later on it will be difficult to get them to move a foot to take a lure, fly or bait."

Liskay’s lure selection includes small diving plugs, in-line spinners and spoons.

"I like small Kwikfish lures," he said. "They have the best action for the rivers and I can fish them in a variety of ways. You have to know the territory or you’ll be snagging up all day. Wade into a pool to retrieve a $3 lure and you’ll shut off the fishing."

Bait fishermen are doing best now and emerald shiner minnows are the hot ticket. As waters cool in early November, Liskay switches to spawn sacks, thumb-sized mesh containers of trout or salmon eggs. Tiny jigs tipped with maggots are also popular.

"Flies come into play all of the time, and you don’t have to wave a fly rod to cast a sucker spawn fly or small nymph," said Liskay. "Spinning tackle works just fine with tiny split shot and a small float.

"If you like to cast a fly, this is prime time to swing a fly through the current. Trout are ready to chase a streamer on an eight- or nine-foot leader with sink-tip fly line."

Liskay’s primary spinning rod is a 10½-foot Fenwick HMS graphite rod with a moderate action. He can cast small lures with it, or finesse spawn bags through a pool. His spinning reel is spooled with eight-pound test line and Vanish fluorocarbon leaders.

"The fluorocarbon line is almost invisible in water, letting me upgrade to stronger 10-pound test leaders," he said.