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The summer steelhead introduction was successful in expanding the river steelhead fishery into the summer months. No other known studies have examined the introduction of summer steelhead for this purpose, Withler (1966) reported British Columbia rivers with both summer and winter steelhead populations have year-round fisheries. Indiana's original purpose for introducing the Skamania strain was to establish a steelhead fishery, but summer expansion in river steelhead fishing season was not the primary objective (D, C. Brazo, personal communication, 1987, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Michigan City)

In 1975 the State of Indiana introduced summer steelhead into Lake Michigan from eggs imported from the Skamania Hatchery in Washington, Despite only limited stream habitat, Indiana successfully established a summer steelhead fishery, Some of the creeks that receive the hatchery stocks are marginal trout streams at best and are very warm for trout occupation. Nevertheless, large runs of Skamania summer steelhead congregate in Lake Michigan near the river mouths, creating a very popular lake fishery. After the fish run the creeks, some stream fishing takes place. Indiana chose the Skamania summer steelhead for stocking because of its reputation for tolerating warmer water temperatures and from only limited success with other steelhead (w. D. James, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis, personal communication with J. A. Scott, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, 1982; Armstrong 1985

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If the original purpose of stocking the Skamania strain steelhead was to establish a summer fishery and summer expansion of river fishing not a primary goal, I find it odd there has been talk of eliminating steelhead stocking at Burns Harbor due to the water being too warm in the river.  
 

I definitely think we are very fortunate to have the skams honestly the whole Indiana Lake Michigan program. I’ve had the opportunity to fish up and down the west coast and all over Alaska. Very few places have the opportunities we have here. That being said, I’m not sure I like the current steelhead strategy. I’m fortunate enough to have the access to a boat and the ability to still fish the piers and creeks. I know the current strategy of concentrating the skams in Trail and the winter fish in the western trib probably maximizes the total number of fish returning per fingerling stocked. But, the trade off is that the fishing pressure is so concentrated. I can’t stand the crowds in MC during the summer and if you try to fish the lower cal in the winter it’s the same scene. Fishing Skams at portage and winter runs in trail are honestly my preference and the current stocking goes against both.