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

Feb. 19: Upper Salmon River steelhead fishing report

Tuesday, February 19, 2019 - 10:32 AM MST

Feb. 19: Steelhead angler effort on the upper Salmon River over the past week was light with most anglers only fishing for an hour or two during the afternoons.

Salmon Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Weekly Steelhead Harvest Report from Clearwater Region (1/6/19)

Friday, January 11, 2019 - 1:33 PM MST

The majority of the fishing effort on the main stem of the Clearwater was up around Orofino. There were still a few people fishing between Hog Island and the Paper Mill who reported successful fishing trips. The anglers fishing along the bank on the North Fork were reporting success but catch rates and effort was slower on Sunday.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
2019-2021 Idaho Fishing Seasons and Rules Available

Thursday, December 27, 2018 - 6:19 AM MST

The 2019-2021 Idaho fishing seasons and rules booklets are available. Highlights include:

Fishing Fishing Seasons and Rules Steelhead Fishing Idaho Seasons and Rules
Steelhead fishing continues uninterrupted with two new area closures

Friday, December 7, 2018 - 7:46 PM MST

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission on Friday, Dec. 7 approved an agreement to keep most steelhead seasons open, but steelhead fishing in two areas closed effective 11:59 p.m. Dec. 7.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Clearwater Region Southwest Region Salmon Region Panhandle Region Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Steelhead will be released into Boise River Nov. 21

Friday, November 16, 2018 - 3:24 PM MST

Stocking the Boise River with steelhead started in 1983, and adult hatchery steelhead have been stocked in the river every year since 1998.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Letter to steelhead anglers from F&G Director Virgil Moore

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 1:04 PM MST

The Idaho Fish and Game Commission suspended the fall steelhead season effective midnight December 7, 2018. The decision was made after careful thought in response to a threatened lawsuit over the federal government’s failure to process Idaho’s Endangered Species Act permit for the steelhead fishery. Steelhead fishing will remain closed in 2019 until further notice.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)
Fish and Game Commission suspends steelhead fishing due to threatened lawsuit

Wednesday, November 14, 2018 - 12:00 PM MST

Please Note: This press release is no longer current. Please review the most recent actions taken to reopen steelhead fishing in Idaho.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead fishing rules Steelhead Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss gairdneri)