Steelhead or Salmon? Which Did You Catch?

Steelhead look very similar to other Pacific Salmon that inhabit Lake Superior when not in spawning condition. Many Lake Superior anglers are often not knowledgeable about the nuances of Pacific Salmon identification. 

The regulation for Steelhead on Lake Superior is catch and release only. This regulation has resulted in the successful rebuilding of over-exploited stocks of wild Steelhead. 

Our goal is that anglers become more aware of the fish species they are harvesting. Anglers must often identify the fish quickly in the short time period between catch and release. 

A simple, easy to use guide that is readily available while on the water is one way to protect wild steelhead from unintended and/or illegal harvest. 

The goal of this project was to create an educational tool that provides a pictorial reference for Steelhead identification that anglers can use while on the water with a fish in hand. The tool will allow anglers to make a quick and accurate decision about Steelhead and salmon identification. The decal can be attached to a boat, tackle box, lunch box, backpack, or any other surface so it is readily available to the angler while on the lake or stream. 

Minnesota Sea Grant professionals specialize in research, extension, education, and communications. One of our four national focus areas is Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture (SFA). Within SFA, one of MNSG's objectives is to “ ... provide the best available science, services, data and tools to resource managers, fishing communities, and aquaculture producers and consumers.” 

This project directly supports the SFA focus area, Sea Grant's expertise in research, extension, education, and communications to “ ... provide learners of all ages with formal and non-formal resources and learning opportunities to help them make informed choices that support sustainable coastal and riparian ecosystems, communities, and economies.” 

The educational decal developed in this project educates and informs anglers on the differences between Steelhead and salmon. The project also increases awareness by anglers of Minnesota Sea Grant’s role in protecting the fisheries in Lake Superior.

• October 2025: Since January 2025, the Steelhead vs. Salmon webpage has been the third most popular webpage on MNSG’s website, with over 6,400 views and 5,400 users spending almost 63 hours on this page.
• October 2025: A short survey of decal users is planned for distribution after the summer angling season to gain feedback on the usefulness of the decal. Upon completion of the survey results will be summarized in a final report on the project during winter 2026.
• October 2025: Since January 1, 2025, more than 110 decals have been requested and distributed.
• April - August 2025: MNSG social media promoted the decal and amplified related posts by MNSG, MNDNR and several angling organizations. Flyers that described the decal and how to receive one were also distributed to bait shops, marinas, sporting goods stores and directly to anglers.
• April - July 2025: MNSG distributed a news release that described the project and availability of the decal that was used in articles by the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota Outdoor News, and newsletters/websites created by Minnesota Steelheader and Trout Unlimited organizations.
• June 2025: 90 Steelhead vs. Salmon decals have been requested since January 1, 2025.
• May 2025: A survey of anglers using the decal was analyzed, and some of the results were reported in a news release. The news release was picked up by several media outlets. 

Minnesota Sea Grant received positive comments on the usefulness of the decal from stream anglers, boat anglers, fisheries managers and conservation officers during our 2022 pilot project period. 

Educating anglers about the difference between Steelhead and salmon is critical to sustaining wild Steelhead stocks. MNSG anticipates the decal will help prevent unintentional and/or illegal harvest by educating and informing anglers about Lake Superior fishery resources.

Funding for this project came from the Minnesota Sea Grant Communications Omnibus funds.

2025

• January - June 2025: Promotion of the Steelhead vs. Salmon decal for 2025 was covered in various media outlets and will continue via MNSG social media through June.
• January 2025: Steelhead vs. Salmon had the most webpage views of any page on MNSG’s site in 2024, with over 21,000 views from 18,000 users.

2024

• October - November 2024: A short survey of decal users is planned for distribution after the summer angling season to gain feedback on the usefulness of the decal.
• April - August 2024: More than 120 requests for decals have been received.
• June - July 2024: The MNSG project webpage received the highest number of visitors.
• April - July 2024: MNSG social media promoted the decal and amplified related posts by MNSG, MNDNR, and several angling organizations.
• April - July 2024: MNSG distributed a news release that described the project and the availability of the decal that was used in articles by the Duluth News Tribune, Minnesota Outdoor News, and newsletters/websites created by Minnesota Steelheader and Trout Unlimited organizations.
• January 2024: MNSG explored various options to create a digital version of the decal after positive feedback from anglers on the Steelhead decal, including requests to create a digital version.
• Winter 2024: MNSG Fisheries and Communications staff worked with Joseph Tomelleri to obtain permission for use of his illustrations in a digital format

2023

• Anglers requested that MNSG make decals available in a digital format for use on mobile phones.
• More decals were printed and distributed.

2022

• Minnesota Department of Natural Resources creel survey clerks and North Shore conservation officers distributed decals to interested Lake Superior anglers.
• Spring 2022: Project was launched as a pilot.