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

Idaho's Steelhead Fishery Update: August 9, 2022

Wednesday, August 10, 2022 - 6:03 PM MDT

Clearwater Regional Fisheries Manager, Joe DuPont, provides an update on this year's hatchery steelhead returns.

Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Seasons and Rules Clearwater Region Steelhead Trout
Using genetics to track wild Chinook salmon and steelhead returns

Tuesday, June 28, 2022 - 4:32 PM MDT

Each year, biologists sample thousands of Chinook salmon and steelhead at Lower Granite Dam as they return to spawning tributaries in the Snake River basin. This opportunity allows biologists to gather data to better understand salmon and steelhead populations in Idaho.

Wild Salmon and Steelhead Fish Research Steelhead Fishing Chinook Salmon Fishing Steelhead Trout
South Fork Clearwater River Broodstock Program : Video Series Part 2- Hatchery Spawning and Smolt Release

Tuesday, June 7, 2022 - 9:48 AM MDT

The South Fork localized broodstock program is a collaborative effort with Idaho Fish and Game Clearwater Hatchery, Dworshak National Fish Hatchery, the Nez Perce Tribe and volunteer anglers. Volunteers fish for adult Steelhead to be used as broodstock to supply the needs for Dworshak and Clearwater hatcheries.

Clearwater Region Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
Here's a reminder of fishing season and rule changes for 2022

Monday, May 23, 2022 - 4:38 PM MDT

As many anglers take their first fishing trips to their favorite fishing spots, here's a reminder and a list of the changes for 2022 broken down by regions, and here are the full, up-to-date 2022-24 Fishing Seasons and Rules.

Fishing Steelhead Fishing Fish and Game Commission
Magic Valley steelhead hatcheries help provide fishing opportunities on returning adult steelhead

Friday, May 20, 2022 - 3:52 PM MDT

Steelhead are an anadromous, or ocean-going trout that are native to Idaho. Over the last 60 plus years the migration-corridor of rivers has changed due to the construction of dams along the Snake and Columbia rivers.

Magic Valley Region Fishing Steelhead Fishing Steelhead Trout
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