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.

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

Oct. 9: Idaho steelhead update from fisheries manager Joe DuPont

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - 3:06 PM MDT

With steelhead harvest season opening Oct.15 on the Clearwater River, anglers are reminded that Idaho Fish and Game is continuing the one-fish bag limit for hatchery steelhead until Dec. 31 in order to continue reduced harvest on hatchery steelhead and protect wild steelhead.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
F&G assumes management of Hagerman steelhead hatchery

Tuesday, October 9, 2018 - 9:26 AM MDT

Idaho Fish and Game recently reached an agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assume operations of the Hagerman National Fish Hatchery, which raises about 1.6 million juvenile steelhead for release in the Upper Salmon River Basin.

Steelhead Fishing Magic Valley Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Reduced steelhead limit extended until Dec. 31

Tuesday, October 2, 2018 - 2:26 PM MDT

To continue reduced harvest on hatchery steelhead and protect wild steelhead, Idaho Fish and Game is continuing the one-fish bag limit for steelhead until Dec. 31. The lower bag limit applies in the mainstem Clearwater River, Middle Fork Clearwater River, North Fork of the Clearwater River, South Fork Clearwater River, Snake River, Salmon River and Little Salmon River.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Youth steelhead clinic Oct 25 & 27 in Lewiston

Monday, September 24, 2018 - 11:03 AM MDT

Young anglers ages 8-14 are invited to participate in the annual steelhead clinic held on Thursday, Oct. 25 from 6 to 8 pm and Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8am -1pm. Both events will be held at the Idaho Fish and Game regional office on 16th street in Lewiston.

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Fishing Learn to Fish Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
A steelhead update from Joe DuPont (8/28/18)

Tuesday, September 4, 2018 - 11:49 AM MDT

Hi everybody, it is late enough in the year that we now have a good feel for what the hatchery steelhead A-run to Idaho is going to be like. These are the hatchery fish destined for the Salmon and Snake rivers. At this point in time (8/28/18), typically over 70% of these hatchery stocks of steelhead should have passed over Bonneville Dam. Unfortunately, the informa

Steelhead Fishing Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Low steelhead return prompts reduced bag limit starting Sept. 3

Thursday, August 30, 2018 - 1:39 PM MDT

In order to reduce harvest on hatchery steelhead and protect wild steelhead, Idaho Fish and Game has temporarily reduced the daily bag limit to one steelhead starting Sept. 3

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Last fall's wild steelhead return exceeded expectations because of unusually small fish

Friday, August 17, 2018 - 3:44 PM MDT

Fish and Game biologists did not initially see as many B-run fish back as they would have liked, but they were pleasantly surprised in the spring.

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)