Thousands-upon-thousands of steelhead enter the St. Joseph river every year. The “St. Joe” River is a very large river with intense flow. At times the river can’t be waded so Charter Boat fishing is most popular. Through-out the river system you will find large deep runs and pools which hold schools of spawning skamania steelhead and chinook salmon. The St. Joseph also has a much better catch ratio than other Michigan waters.
According to the Michigan DNR between 14,000 and 19,000 steelhead are caught each year on the St. Joseph and another 8,000 to 17,000 caught and released,” The River originates in Michigan and gains its fast moving currents from many of the tributaries along the way. It passes the town of Three Rivers and then dips southwest towards Indiana. Once across the Indiana border the river flows past Elkhart, Mishawaka, South Bend while turning northwest back towards Michigan. Back across the Michigan border the St. Joseph River passes Berrien Springs before making its way to the town of St. Joseph on the southeast shore of Lake Michigan.



