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

April 25 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 - 9:12 AM MDT

During the past week, catch rates remained good upstream of the East Fork. Anglers interviewed upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 averaged 5 hours per steelhead caught.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
April 18 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 2:30 PM MDT

Steelhead catch rates on the upper Salmon River remained good during the past week while angler effort continued to decrease.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
April 11 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, April 12, 2022 - 9:02 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort continued to increase upstream of the East Fork during the past week, while angler effort downstream of the East Fork continued to decline.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
South Fork Clearwater River Hatchery Steelhead Program: Video Series- Volunteer Anglers

Thursday, April 7, 2022 - 5:49 PM MDT

Steelhead anglers volunteer to catch steelhead for the South Fork Clearwater River steelhead hatcheries. Idaho Fish and Game reached the goal of capturing over 500 adults to use as broodstock to produce 1.4 million juveniles to be released back into the South Fork Clearwater River. This video is part of a series on the South Fork Clearwater River Hatchery Steelhead Program.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
April 4 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, April 5, 2022 - 8:57 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River was concentrated near the Pahsimeroi River confluence and upstream of the East Fork in location code 19 during the past week.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
March 28 Upper Salmon River Weekly Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, March 29, 2022 - 9:50 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River began to shift upstream during the past week. The highest amount of angler effort was observed near the Pahsimeroi River confluence in location code 17.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
March 21 Upper Salmon River Steelhead Fishing Report

Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 8:00 AM MDT

Steelhead angler effort along the upper Salmon River continued to increase during the past week. The largest increase in angler effort was observed downstream of Salmon, but angler effort near Challis also increased.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout