
Gluttons for Trout and Salmon Eggs
Fall steelhead fishing is a high-energy experience, drawing anglers who thrive on the challenge of hooking these powerful fish at their peak season. As salmon and brown trout spawn, streams become filled with loose eggs scattered along the bottom, creating an easy food source for steelhead. Without the usual darting baitfish to chase, steelhead are free to indulge in a steady supply of eggs, often feeding aggressively and even showing gluttonous behavior.
This abundant food supply allows steelhead to settle into current breaks and slower-moving waters, where the eggs naturally drift their way. Instead of actively hunting, they can sit in one spot and let the eggs come to them, conserving energy while maximizing their feeding. For anglers, understanding this behavior is crucial; by targeting these current breaks and slower flows, they can access the action where the steelhead are actively feeding. Fall steelhead fishing isn’t just about catching fish—it’s about immersing yourself in a season where steelhead are ready to strike and the fishing is at its best.
Figuring Out The Magic Egg Pattern
At the start of the fall run, steelhead—these powerful chrome fighters—are eager and will strike almost any bait that resembles an egg. However, as the season progresses, they become more selective. With eggs from different species of salmon and trout littering the stream bed, steelhead can develop a clear preference for a specific size, shape, and even scent. Their instincts lock onto the most appealing characteristics, and they start ignoring anything that doesn’t match.
For anglers, the challenge becomes understanding these changing preferences. Successful fall steelhead fishing requires adapting to their selective behavior and refining bait choices as needed. An egg pattern that worked perfectly one week might suddenly go cold, pushing anglers to experiment with various colors, scents, and sizes to find the right mix. Unlocking this puzzle—finding that “magic” combination of traits that triggers strikes—can be the difference between a frustrating day and a memorable catch.
Fall Steelhead Follow Their Noses
Experienced egg anglers like guide Chris Mulpagano know that variety is key when targeting steelhead. Chris often carries an assortment of eggs to appeal to the fish’s keen sense of smell. “Steelhead have an incredible sense of smell, which we can use to our advantage,” he explains. “Each type of egg—whether from a salmon or trout—has a unique scent. Steelhead, after seeing endless eggs drifting by, often hone in on one particular scent profile they’re after.”
To meet these preferences, seasoned anglers like Chris present a range of eggs in terms of scent, size, and color. Offering an assortment gives the steelhead a choice, and when they find what they’re looking for, it’s obvious—the float disappears with a strike. Matching their instinctive preferences not only increases hook-ups but also turns the challenge of fall steelhead fishing into a more reliable adventure.
The Egg Puzzle

Which Fish Species Are Still Spawning
Coho salmon add another layer to the puzzle. Although not as widely distributed as Chinooks across Lake Ontario’s tributaries, they can make a powerful impact on streams they do inhabit. Cohos often arrive in a single, intense wave, dominating the river for a couple of weeks. When they show up, their eggs add a fresh scent and size option to the steelhead’s menu, temporarily changing the fish’s feeding behavior as they switch to this new food source. Knowing the spawning patterns of both Chinook and Coho salmon can give anglers a clear advantage, allowing them to tailor their approach and zero in on the egg patterns that steelhead will find most enticing at any given time.
Coho Salmon Eggs
“Steelhead always seem to have a fondness for Coho eggs,” says Chris. “It’s incredible how they’ll ignore everything else and become laser-focused on Coho eggs during the peak of the run.” This behavior offers a unique window for anglers, as steelhead will often abandon other food sources entirely to feed on these rich, protein-packed eggs.
Brown Trout Eggs
Brown trout are typically the last fish to arrive in Lake Ontario tributaries, beginning their spawn in October and sometimes lingering through late November. Their eggs have long been a “secret weapon” among dedicated fall steelhead anglers who value the subtle effectiveness of this bait. Although it was once a well-kept secret, the internet has gradually brought attention to brown trout eggs as a highly productive option for steelhead fishing during this season.
These smaller, more delicate eggs offer unique advantages. Unlike salmon eggs, which are larger and can be easily damaged in swift currents, brown trout eggs are ideally suited for slower, more relaxed pools. When drifted carefully, they last longer and withstand repeated drifts, making them especially effective in slow-moving sections of water where steelhead hold steady. For anglers targeting these trophy fish, a brown trout egg pattern can be the perfect choice when conditions call for a slower, more natural presentation.
The Egg Cure
Another critical factor in dialing in that “magic formula” for fall steelhead fishing success is choosing the right egg cure—or deciding not to use one at all. The curing process is all about enhancing the egg’s scent and durability, making it irresistible to fish and tough enough to handle multiple drifts. Today, anglers have access to a variety of commercial cures, each offering distinct advantages, but few rival the effectiveness of the Borx-O-Fire cure from Pautzke Bait.
Borx-O-Fire has become a favorite among steelhead anglers due to its blend of salt, sugar, borax, and krill powder. This mixture not only intensifies the scent, making the egg more attractive to steelhead, but it also fortifies the egg’s structure, so it lasts longer and holds up through repeated passes in prime holding water.
Color
Even with the effectiveness of Borx-O-Fire, there are times when keeping it simple can make all the difference. Fishing with fresh, uncured skein eggs is a great option in certain conditions, offering a pure, natural scent that can tempt even the most cautious steelhead. For those moments when fish seem to be more finicky or water clarity allows, natural eggs can sometimes outperform any cured option, giving anglers a versatile edge in the ever-changing waters of the fall steelhead season.
Fresh Skein Eggs Vs Cured Eggs
Chris explains, “I don’t know what it is about fresh skein eggs, but there’s something about them that puts even the most sluggish fall steelhead in a biting mood. These eggs are much more delicate than cured ones, and while they don’t hold up as well on long drifts, the natural scent and soft texture seem to have a special appeal. On tough days, that combination can be the game-changer.”
Using fresh skein requires a bit more finesse—knowing when to handle it gently and how to adjust for short drifts—yet it’s often the subtlety of that presentation that makes the difference. For anglers willing to work with these more fragile eggs, the payoff can be well worth the effort, as steelhead respond with a surprising intensity to this natural bait.
Egg Preperation
Pre-cutting the skein into smaller chunks and allowing them to air dry for a few hours can significantly improve their durability on the hook. This process not only helps the eggs stay intact longer but also enhances their scent profile as they dry out slightly. When fishing with fresh skein, it’s advisable to target slower pools, especially in the lower reaches of a river system. These areas often serve as resting spots for wary fall steelhead, which are biding their time for the next rain event to trigger their upstream migration. By presenting the dried chunks in these calm waters, anglers increase their chances of enticing steelhead to strike, as they patiently wait for food to drift by.
Egg Storage
It’s essential to store your eggs in separate containers to maintain their scent integrity. Mixing different types of eggs and cures can muddle the scent trail, undermining all the effort you’ve invested in preparing dozens of well-crafted spawn sacs. To ensure you can quickly identify each type during your fishing trip, clearly label each container with the specific egg and cure used. This organization will help you avoid any confusion
Start Big, Work Your Way Back
Another valuable tip for your fall steelhead fishing adventures is to adjust the size of your egg sacs throughout the season. Early in the run, consider tying larger egg sacs, as steelhead are often found in fast, oxygenated water where they are more aggressive and need something eye-catching to draw their attention as it swiftly moves downstream.
As the season progresses and the water cools, gradually reduce the size of your egg sacs. This adjustment aligns with the behavior of steelhead, which begin to hold in slower current breaks as the temperatures drop. In these areas, the fish have a longer window to spot the bait, so smaller, more subtle offerings can be more effective. By adapting your approach based on the steelhead’s behavior, you’ll increase your chances of success throughout the fall fishing season.
Spawning Salmon and Brown Trout Eggs Catch Steelhead

It’s time to open the egg buffet this fall and discover what the hungry customers are craving each day. Don’t fall into the trap of relying on just one style of egg, sac color, or size throughout the season; while a specific combination may yield short-term success, it can lead to long-term frustration.
Do your homework and prepare a variety of eggs for each outing. This approach ensures that you can adapt to the steelhead’s changing preferences, which can vary from day to day. By having a diverse selection on hand, you’ll be ready to respond to their whims. You’ll be grateful for your preparation when a trophy-sized steelhead takes the bait and tries to drag you back to Lake Ontario!
Credits
Get the Net Guide Service, Captain Chris Mulpagano. 315-430-7512
Pautzke Bait Company. http://pautzke.com
Original Article By Brian Kelly
About The Author
Brian Kelly has chased steelhead from British Columbia to New York and enjoys teaching others about this great sport, as well as testing his skill on new waters.
This article has been revised by Daniel O’Neill, an experienced angler and writer, to ensure its continued relevance and accuracy. As a result, it may no longer reflect the original author’s views or intentions.