Steelhead Fishing

Steelhead are large, ocean-going rainbow trout native to Idaho and the northwest region. When adult steelhead leave the ocean and swim back to Idaho, they create one of the state’s most amazing fishing opportunities.

Notice: Steelhead fishing continues

Starting in August and for the next 9 months, anglers can fish for adult hatchery steelhead in Idaho’s rivers. Fishing is best on the lower sections of the Clearwater, Snake and Salmon rivers in the fall. As steelhead continue to migrate upstream anglers will find them in the South Fork Clearwater, Little Salmon and upper Salmon rivers. Steelhead are sometimes released into other waters, like the Boise River, to provide additional fishing opportunities.

News

Angler breaks catch/release steelhead record from the S.F. Clearwater River

Thursday, May 30, 2019 - 4:15 PM MDT

Congratulations to Samuel Brumbaugh of Libby, Montana on his new state record steelhead. During a mid-April trip to the South Fork Clearwater, the young angler landed this 38-inch steelhead, topping the old record of 37-inches that was caught in Dec. 2018.

Record Fish in Idaho Steelhead Fishing Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 29: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 29, 2019 - 10:33 AM MDT

During the week of April 22, steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was limited to the upper areas of location code 19 near Stanley. No interviews were obtained downstream of the East Fork Salmon River due to increased river flows and poor visibility. Anglers that were interviewed in location 19 averaged 5 hours per steelhead caught and 24 hours per steelhead kept.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 22: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 22, 2019 - 10:17 AM MDT

During the week of April 15th, steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was mainly observed upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort downstream of the East Fork was low, and few interviews were obtained from location codes 17 and 18.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Steelhead smolt transportation and release season is underway in Idaho

Thursday, April 18, 2019 - 7:49 AM MDT

The spring 2019 steelhead fishing season is winding down, but Fish and Game staff is releasing 5.75 million young steelhead into Idaho's rivers for their downstream migration to the Pacific, which will be the next generation of fish returning to Idaho.

Magic Valley Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 15: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 15, 2019 - 12:37 PM MDT

Over the week of April 8th, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort in areas downstream of the East Fork was low.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 8: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 8, 2019 - 10:32 AM MDT

During the week of April 1, the majority of steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was located either near the Pahsimeroi River confluence or upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19. Angler effort downstream of Salmon was minimal and no angler interviews were obtained.

Steelhead Fishing Salmon Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
April 1: Upper Salmon River Steelhead fishing report

Monday, April 1, 2019 - 1:55 PM MDT

During the week of March 25, steelhead angler effort continued to shift upstream of Salmon with the majority of anglers observed near the Pahsimeroi River confluence and upstream of the East Fork Salmon River in location code 19.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)